Claims and Variations Manager, Transit/Rail

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. seeks a seasoned Claims and Variations Manager to support the commercial function on a major subway project in Toronto.

You will manage claims and variations, assess risks, define contract requirements, and coordinate with legal counsel to settlements. The role requires a degree in engineering or related field and a minimum of 10 years in capital projects, with strong leadership and negotiation abilities.

Qualifications

• Completion of a degree in Engineering, Finance, Business administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in managing commercial/claims issues for delivery of capital projects.
• Proficiency in using the industry standard project management software, and other relevant tools for analysis of claims and commercial disputes.
• Work requires extensive progressive experience in general engineering and especially in construction contract management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact at all levels within the organizations of the Client, Delivery Partner team, supply chain and other stakeholders.
• Strong commercial business acumen and knowledge of contract management.
• Strong leadership, people and team management skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Develop and implement claims and variations management strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the process of resolving and advancing variations in collaboration with the Project variations team, outside parties, Senior Project Managers, and Commercial Leads.
• Supports the commercial team, associated with the review and preparation of claims responses and disputes management.
• Leads engagement with counsel in settlement negotiations and agreements.
• Supports the project and broader program teams in detecting claims risks, managing actual claims, and developing contracts.
• Oversees the Commercial Support Team and the Claims Team, providing input on emerging claims and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Commercial acumen

Education

Engineering/Finance/Business Administration degree

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Claims and Variations Manager, Transit/Rail

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we’re seeking a Claims and Variations Manager who will assist in the commercial function of the owner’s project team on a major subway project in Toronto.

This position performs a variety of construction claims and variations work during the implementation phase of a large subway infrastructure program. The role will provide support to ensure that project optimum risk allocations are understood and articulated, claim risks assessed, contract requirements defined, contract documentation maintained, project correspondence drafted, and project claims and variations are managed. The incumbent will have deep knowledge of multiple subject areas and disciplines in the transportation sector as required to implement long linear infrastructure; thorough understanding of business objectives, priorities, strategy for their own area and industry practices.

Accountabilities/Reporting lines:

• Oversees the process of resolving and advancing variations in collaboration with the Project variations team, outside parties, Senior Project Managers, and Commercial Leads. In relation to disagreements resulting from variances, the position also works with legal counsel to offer suggestions for settlements.
• Supports the commercial team, associated with the review and preparation of claims responses and disputes management. The role leads the engagement with counsel in settlement negotiations and agreements.
• Supports the project and broader program teams in detecting claims risks, managing actual claims, and developing, carrying out, and delivering contracts throughout the project lifecycle. Oversees the Commercial Support Team and the Claims Team, providing input on emerging claims, risks associated with claims, and reporting; manages claims reviews and assessment tasks; develops and supports claims strategies and negotiations; creates internal executive-level briefing materials on project claims; and implements embedded claims reports, including identifying emerging claims.
• Is responsible for managing the necessary interactions across multiple organizations, providing relevant expertise within the project team and coordination across the various teams. The role requires both commercial and technical knowledge of multiple subject areas related to implementation of the infrastructure works.
• Able to interact with senior client representatives and articulate complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Provides support to the broader client organization to assist in their capability development in Project implementation related to claims and variations management.
• Attendance at multiple different technical and commercial project working groups
• Being proactive on claims/risks mitigation, initiate claims and dispute resolution, and provide response to claims notifications. Keep senior management and others routinely informed of project status and all developments that can impact project claim risks and active claims.
• Responsible for own area for contract management including preparation and issue of contractual written communications, addressing related claims and contractual issues, and liaison with various other parties and stakeholders.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Completion of a degree in Engineering, Finance, Business administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in managing commercial/claims issues for delivery of capital projects.
• Proficiency in using the industry standard project management software, and other relevant tools for analysis of claims and commercial disputes
• Work requires extensive progressive experience in general engineering and especially in construction contract management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact at all levels within the organizations of the Client, Delivery Partner team, supply chain and other stakeholders
• Strong commercial business acumen and knowledge of contract management
• Strong leadership, people and team management skills
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Proven and demonstrable ability in formulating and delivering strategic goals
• Develop and implement claims and variations management strategy.

The base salary range for this position is $140,000.00 to $190,000.00. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across Ontario, Canada locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

At Jacobs, we use AI-driven recruitment to match top talent with opportunity—however, human connection and fairness remain at the heart of every hiring decision.

Jacobs welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request an accommodation, please select here .

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .