Head of Contracts

Big Fish Consulting; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Fish Consulting is seeking a seasoned Head of Contracts in Dubai to lead the contracts function across multiple projects. You will draft, review, negotiate, and administer agreements with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers while guiding project teams through the lifecycle.

Responsibilities include managing claims, variations, and extensions of time, ensuring regulatory and policy compliance, and mentoring the contracts team to drive performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in law, quantity surveying, construction management, engineering or related field.
• At least 12+ years of contracts management experience in construction or contracting.
• Proven track record managing large-scale building, infrastructure, mixed-use, hospitality or industrial projects.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC and other standard forms of contract.
• Expertise in claims management, dispute resolution and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• MEP contracting experience is highly desirable.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, CIArb, CCM or equivalent are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Contracts Department across multiple projects.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and administer client, consultant, subcontractor, and supplier agreements.
• Provide contractual and commercial advice to project and senior management teams.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual risks and liabilities.
• Lead claims, variations, extension of time submissions, and dispute resolution processes.
• Ensure compliance with contract terms, company policies, and applicable regulations.
• Manage subcontract agreements, contract correspondence, and contractual documentation.
• Support tender reviews and advise on commercial and contractual obligations during bid submissions.
• Develop and improve contract management procedures, controls, and best practices.
• Mentor and develop the contracts team to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Dispute resolution

Stakeholder management

Contract compliance

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

FIDIC contracts

Job description

Head of Contracts

Contracting Company - Dubai, UAE

We are seeking an experienced Head of Contracts to lead the Contracts function for a leading contracting company. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all pre- and post-contract activities, managing contractual risks, ensuring commercial compliance, and supporting project delivery teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Contracts Department across multiple projects.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and administer client, consultant, subcontractor, and supplier agreements.
• Provide contractual and commercial advice to project and senior management teams.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual risks and liabilities.
• Lead claims, variations, extension of time submissions, and dispute resolution processes.
• Ensure compliance with contract terms, company policies, and applicable regulations.
• Manage subcontract agreements, contract correspondence, and contractual documentation.
• Support tender reviews and advise on commercial and contractual obligations during bid submissions.
• Develop and improve contract management procedures, controls, and best practices.
• Mentor and develop the contracts team to ensure high performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of contracts management experience within construction or contracting companies.
• Proven experience managing large-scale building, infrastructure, mixed-use, hospitality, or industrial projects.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC and other standard forms of contract.
• Demonstrated expertise in claims management, dispute resolution, and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• MEP contracting experience is highly desirable.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, CIArb, CCM, or equivalent are advantageous.