Contracts Specialist

McElhanney Ltd.; Alberta; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Maternity & parental leave top-up

Health and dental coverage

RRSP matching

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Share ownership potential

Job summary

McElhanney Ltd. in Western Canada seeks a motivated Contracts Specialist to support enterprise-level contract management with our legal team. You will draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, advise project teams on risk, and leverage AI tools to improve efficiency.

This full-time, hybrid role offers growth and a strong compensation package in an employee-owned firm. Reporting to Corporate Counsel and collaborating with executives, you will help manage contracts across projects,

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in contract administration, commercial management, or related roles with responsibility for contract review and negotiation.
• Post-secondary education in accounting, business, science, law, or engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong understanding of contractual terms and risk implications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Comfort with technology and AI tools to enhance contracting processes.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including RFQs, teaming agreements, NDAs, subcontracts, and technology licenses.
• Maintain a repository of standard form templates and ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards.
• Liaise with project teams and stakeholders to align contract strategy with business objectives and risk tolerance.
• Drive continuous improvement of contracting practices to improve efficiency and client outcomes.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Risk assessment

Legal review

Digital tools & AI

Education

Post-secondary education in accounting, business, law or engineering

Tools

Contract management software

Job description

Based in Western Canada for over 110 years, McElhanney offers innovative and practical engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental services. As a 100% employee-owned and operated firm, with over 1,500 staff members in 31 locations, we are proud to offer qualified staff with shareholding options in our company. At McElhanney, we work in teams to build strong connections with our staff, clients, and local communities. Our employees enjoy working here because of our varied projects, high levels of autonomy, opportunities for career development, excellent total compensation and benefits package, and collaborating with a team of great professionals.

The Opportunity

McElhanney has a new and exciting opportunity for a motivated and driven Contracts Specialist to work with our highly experienced and dynamiclegal team to perform enterprise-level contract management responsibilities. Reporting to Corporate Counsel and workingwith our Executive Vice President–Culture, Strategy & Governance, you will support enterprise-level contract management by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a widerangeof contracts, agreements, and proposal-relateddocuments that enable our operational activities. In this role, you will collaborate with project managers, business leaders, and client delivery teams to understand project requirements, identify and mitigate risk, and help ensure commercially competitive outcomes.

The ideal candidate brings strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to build relationships across the organization. This role requires guiding project teams on contract strategy, risk awareness, and best practices. A high degree of comfort with technology is important, including a willingness to evaluate, adopt, and effectively use AI-enabled tools to support contract review, drafting, and risk identification, with a focus on improving efficiency and consistency.

This opportunity is well suited to individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds who have developed strong commercial judgment and an interest in contracts, negotiation, and risk management. Whether your experience comes from law, engineering, business, consulting, procurement, construction, contract administration, or a related field, you will play a key role in helping project teams understand contractual obligations, manage risk, and achieve successful project outcomes. The role offers opportunities for growth as you take on increasingly complex contractual and commercial matters.

This is a full-time position. The successful candidate may be based in any of our office locations across British Columbia and Alberta and can work in-office or in a hybrid arrangement. Remote work may also be considered for the right candidate.

Why This Role Might Be a Great Match for You

• You're someone who enjoys navigating contracts, negotiations, and commercial issues while helping teams make informed, risk-aware decisions.
• You bring strong business judgment and relationship-building skills and are comfortable partnering with project teams, leaders, and clients to achieve successful outcomes.
• You're excited by the opportunity to expand your expertise in contract management, risk mitigation, and commercial strategy while taking on increasingly complex and impactful work.

What You’ll Do

• Evaluate, draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts including RFQ/RFPs, standard form contracts, teaming arrangements, confidentiality, subcontracts, and service agreements for a variety of projects, including alternative delivery projects such as design-build, progressive design-build and alliance, as well as enterprise contracts such as leases, licensing, and technology agreements.
• Maintain and manage a repository of legal agreements and standard form contract templates, amending same to reflect new legislation, standards, and practices, as required.
• Liaise and develop effective relationships with internal interested parties at all levels of the organization while providing guidance on contractual, risk, and compliance related matters.
• Continuous improvement and modernization of our contracting practices to improve business performance and client satisfaction.

What You’ll Bring

• A minimum of 3 – 5 years related experience in contractor project administration, commercial management, or a related role involving substantial responsibility for contract review, interpretation, negotiation, and administration of commercial agreements, preferably in the engineering or geomatics, consulting or construction industries.
• Related post‑secondary education such as a technical or business management certificate from a recognized institute or university degree in the field of accounting, business, science, law, or engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• Superior knowledge of contractual terms and terminology as well as their implications.
• Solid business acumen, confidence, and ability to understand how legal issues affect organizations and provide advice that appropriately considers risk.
• Demonstrates strong digital fluency, with an openness to leveraging technology and AI tools to enhance contract review, streamline workflows, and improve risk identification and consistency, including the ability to critically assess outputs and apply professional judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, problem‑solving, and negotiation skills.
• Brings a mindset of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, using technology and data insights to refine processes and support better project outcomes.
• A strong work ethic with the ability to work efficiently in a fast paced, dynamic environment while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Commitment to promoting a diverse and inclusive working environment.

What Can We Offer You?

The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $140,000 per annum. McElhanney offers fair compensation that is commensurate with the individual’s education, experience, skills, and professional qualifications. The posted base salary/wage range is representative of the required level of qualifications and experience for the position as noted in the job posting. The salary offered will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

• Work-Life Harmony: Balance your personal and professional commitments. Flexible hours to fit your lifestyle.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Maternity and parental leave top up program, health and dental coverage, RRSP matching, and Employee & Family Assistance Program.
• Safe & Inclusive Workplace: A culture of respect and inclusion for all.
• Compensation: Attractive total compensation package including a generous bonus plan
• Ownership: Share ownership potential in an employee-owned company
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for dues, educational assistance, mentorship program, workshops, and committee involvement.
• Career Progression: Support and mentorship to shape a career path that fits your goals.
• Relocation Support: Financial assistance if applicable.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At McElhanney, our unwavering commitment lies in cultivating a culture that aligns with our core values and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the collective achievements of a team rich in expertise, experiences, and perspectives, and welcome applications from individuals of diverse ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, aboriginal statuses, various age groups, and those with disabilities. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process.