Commercial (Contracts) Manager

Aecon Group Inc.; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aecon, a North American infrastructure leader, seeks a Commercial (Contracts) Manager for a site-based role in Alberta. You will oversee contracts, procurement, and risk across major projects, leading negotiations with clients and subs to optimize financial and legal outcomes.

You will collaborate with operations, insurance, and legal teams, ensuring compliance and proactive risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Experience on major projects or JV arrangements.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement processes.
• Ability to manage commercial risk and claims.

Responsibilities

• Administer project contracts and ensure deliverables and timelines are met.
• Lead drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts with clients and subs.
• Plan procurement scheduling and oversee tendering and bid analysis.
• Manage change, schedule interpretations, and claims administration.
• Provide regular commercial reporting to Executives and Project Managers.
• Collaborate with insurance and legal advisors on program needs.
• Develop risk management and mitigation plans for projects.

Skills

Contract management

Tendering & bidding

Negotiation

Procurement planning

Change management

Risk management

Reporting & analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Insurance coordination

Contract law liaison

Education

Legal

Engineering

Quantity Surveying

Job description

Aecon delivers some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure projects — from transformative transportation networks to critical energy, industrial and nuclear programs. The projects we build connect communities and power future generations. With deep roots in North America and a strong footprint internationally, Aecon brings global expertise and proudly serves public and private sector clients through its Construction and Concessions segment.

Safety Always is not only our #1 core value – it is the standard that anchors our culture. We believe the most ambitious projects deserve the most committed people. At Aecon, you won’t just build your career — you’ll help build what matters to enable future generations to thrive.

At Aecon, you can count on:

• Safety Always. Our number one core value. The safety of our people, projects, partners, and stakeholders is our priority focus – today and always.
• Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
• Accountability. We’re passionate about delivering on our commitments.
• Inclusion. We provide opportunities where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.

We deliver infrastructure with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Aecon employees are incredibly proud to build some of the most impactful infrastructure of this generation – we call it Aecon Proud.

At Aecon we:

• Ensure you and your family receive the services and benefits needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Are intentional when it comes to investing in your development. We help you build your career and advance your skills through our Aecon University, tuition reimbursement, and Leadership Programs.
• Are committed to creating work environments focused on mutual respect, teamwork, collaboration, and new ideas, through meaningful initiatives, training, partnerships with Veteran groups, our Aecon Women in Trades and diversity programs, as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), to ensure we are building with top talent and harnessing our collective strengths within every aspect of our culture.
• Operate responsibly by managing risk, safety, and environmental considerations across all our projects and surrounding communities.

Our success is built on the passion, expertise, and dedication of our people. Together, we embrace strong execution, innovation, and continuous improvement — values that come to life through the unique talents and collaborative spirit of every team member. If you’re inspired to make a difference through future-building projects, join our best-in-class team.

What is the Opportunity?

From fabrication and modularization to new builds, turnaround and maintenance, Aecon Industrial leads the way in industrial construction and water infrastructure, providing clients in Canada and the U.S. with vertically integrated solutions and exceptional self-perform work.

Under the direction of the Project Director, the Commercial (Contracts) Manager will provide highly specialized knowledge in overseeing the commercial strategy on a project. This individual will work closely with the senior operations team on the project to develop and implement a commercial management system that drives performance and minimizes risk to the business.

Please Note:

• This is a site-based position based in Gibbons, Alberta.
• The regular shift for this role is 5 consecutive working days (Monday - Friday) followed by 2 consecutive days off.

What You'll Do Here:

• Administer the project contracts (project agreement, subcontracts, consultancy agreements, purchase agreements etc.), always ensuring that all contract deliverables and timelines are met while providing leadership to ensure commercial risks on project contracts are minimized.
• Implement an effective system to ensure that all contractually required notices are delivered to the client in accordance with the terms of the project agreement.
• Lead the drafting, review and negotiation of various contracts (with clients and subcontractors), in a way that optimizes the business’ financial, legal, risk management and reputational positions.
• Implement and monitor procurement scheduling and plans, facilitate competitive tendering process for materials, goods, services and equipment, including development of terms and conditions, scope and specification requirements, implementing and overseeing the bidding process with pre-qualified companies, evaluating submitted bids including tender analysis and recommendation.
• Change management, including schedule interpretation and claims administration.
• Issue regular reporting and analytics on commercial issues to Executives (internal and JV ExCo.) and Project Managers.
• Engage with Aecon’s insurance advisors to develop appropriate project insurance programs and coverages.
• Exercise proper judgment to engage with Aecon’s legal advisors to seek advice at the appropriate times.
• Develop a risk management and mitigation plan to identify potential events (internal and external) that may cause the project to fail to meet its objectives. Also, proactively analyze the risks associated with projects in the bid phase.
• Commercial management of project close out/post practical completion, including defect liability period and O&M.

What You Bring to the Team:

• Experience working for a general contractor or client/owner on major projects or large-scale construction projects.
• Sound understanding of construction methodology and process in a large, complex operating environment.
• 2-5 years’ commercial management experience on major projects working in joint ventures with international partners throughout the project life cycle from bid to contract closeout.
• Educational background in Legal, Engineering, or Quantity Surveying is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience working under a variety of contracts (Design Build, Lump sum, unit price, development/collaborative delivery model).
• Thorough knowledge of change management principles including identifying significant variations, claims identification, narration, quantification and evaluation.
• A sound understanding of the law of contract in the jurisdiction of the project, combined with a detailed appreciation of contractual obligations and liabilities, commercial and financial functions (i.e. project cash flow).
• Direct experience with the tendering process, contract administration, budgetary cost value and reduction capability, procurement, and subcontract administration.
• Proven track record with claims management and dispute resolution on major projects. Experience with risk identification and management.
• Basic understanding of insurance program requirements for various project types and advise on suitability of corporate programs vs project specific requirements.
• Ability to liaise/co-ordinate with various internal and external stakeholders (legal counsel, client, subcontractor, consultants).

Aecon fosters diversity, inclusion and belonging within and across our organization. We welcome all to apply including, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. Through the implementation of the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations, appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the interview and hiring process.

As part of our commitment to fair and transparent hiring practices, Aecon may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and reviewing candidates. These tools are applied responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws and Aecon’s AI Usage Policy. All final decisions are made by qualified Aecon team members.