Senior Contract Specialist

Collage; North Vancouver; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Career development

14 holidays

Benefits package

Wellness stipend

Social events

Long-term growth

Job summary

Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. (VanPile) is a cornerstone of British Columbia’s marine infrastructure, dating back to 1913. We are seeking a Senior Contract Specialist to join our Commercial team in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

You will negotiate, administer, and optimize prime contracts, subcontracts, and related documents for large marine and infrastructure projects. You’ll partner with project teams to identify risks, manage claims, and drive commercial outcomes from tender through close-out.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in contract administration or construction contracts.
• Experience supporting marine, heavy civil, industrial, infrastructure, or energy projects.
• Strong understanding of contract formation, negotiation, and risk allocation.
• Experience handling claims, change management, dispute resolution, and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, and administer prime contracts and subcontracts.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Draft amendments, change orders, and notices.
• Provide guidance to project teams and senior management.
• Support tender reviews, bonding, insurance, and compliance.
• Monitor contractual milestones and change management.
• Ensure flow-down of prime obligations to subs and suppliers.
• Lead complex claims and disputes resolution.

Skills

Commercial judgment

Negotiation

Contract drafting

Attention to detail

Stakeholder influence

Collaboration

Education

Law / Engineering / Construction Mgmt degree

Tools

CCDC / CCA standards

Job description

Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. (VanPile) is not just a construction company; it’s a cornerstone of British Columbia’s marine infrastructure. Since 1913, our dedicated team has been building major marine facilities along the coastline and inland waters. As a proud, family‑owned business, we are deeply committed to our community and uphold a long‑standing tradition of excellence and integrity.

Learn more at www.vanpile.com

Shape the Contracts Behind Some of Western Canada’s Most Complex Construction Projects

Are you a seasoned contract professional who thrives on navigating complex commercial agreements, mitigating risk, and protecting project success?

VanPile is seeking a Senior Contract Specialist to join our growing Commercial team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering some of Canada’s most challenging marine, heavy civil, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

As a trusted commercial advisor, you’ll partner with project teams, operations leaders, estimators, and procurement professionals to negotiate contracts, manage risk, resolve commercial issues, and support successful project execution from tender through close‑out.

If you’re a strategic thinker with strong negotiation skills and a passion for construction, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Review, negotiate, and administer prime contracts, subcontracts, service agreements, consultant agreements, purchase orders, and other commercial documents.
• Identify contractual, commercial, financial, and legal risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
• Draft and negotiate amendments, change agreements, notices, settlement agreements, and other contractual documentation.
• Provide expert contractual and commercial guidance to project teams, operations, estimating, procurement, and senior management.
• Support informed business decisions by evaluating contract obligations, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead contract reviews for major project pursuits and awarded projects.
• Ensure key contractual requirements and obligations are effectively communicated to project teams.
• Support tender reviews, contract qualifications, bonding, insurance, and commercial compliance requirements.
• Monitor notice requirements, contractual milestones, entitlement events, and change management throughout project execution.
• Ensure prime contract obligations are properly flowed down to subcontractors and suppliers.
• Support complex claims, disputes, change orders, and significant commercial matters.
• Assess contractual entitlement for additional compensation, schedule relief, and project impacts.
• Prepare contractual notices, commercial correspondence, position papers, and reservation‑of‑rights letters.
• Participate in commercial negotiations and dispute resolution processes.
• Support final account negotiations, settlements, and project close‑out activities.

Subcontract Management

• Manage the commercial lifecycle of major subcontracts from RFQ through award, administration, and close‑out.
• Review quotations, negotiate commercial terms, and prepare subcontract agreements and amendments.
• Monitor subcontractor performance, payment applications, insurance, bonding requirements, contract compliance, and change orders.
• Manage commercial issues including claims, back charges, and subcontract disputes.
• Coordinate subcontract close‑out, holdback release, final payments, and documentation.

Commercial Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Support the development of commercial best practices, contract templates, and governance processes.
• Maintain accurate contractual records and commercial documentation.
• Contribute to risk management initiatives and subcontractor/vendor prequalification programs.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior commercial and contract administration team members.
• Drive continuous improvement in commercial processes and contract management practices.

What You’ll Bring

Required Experience

• 7+ years of progressive experience in contract administration, commercial management, subcontract management, or construction contracts.
• Experience supporting major marine, heavy civil, industrial, infrastructure, or energy projects.
• Strong understanding of construction contract formation, negotiation, administration, and risk allocation.
• Proven experience managing prime contracts, subcontracts, consultant agreements, purchase agreements, and service contracts.
• Experience handling claims, change management, dispute resolution, and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent contract drafting, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Law, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Commerce, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
• Working knowledge of CCDC, CCA, and other standard construction contract documents.
• Strong understanding of construction insurance, bonding, indemnities, payment provisions, warranties, and limitations of liability.
• Professional designations or industry certifications are considered an asset.

Who You Are

You are a confident and commercially savvy professional who can balance risk management with practical business solutions. You build strong relationships, think strategically, and excel at managing complex contractual matters in fast‑paced project environments.

You bring:

• Strong commercial judgment and decision‑making skills
• Exceptional negotiation and contract drafting abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
• The ability to influence stakeholders and build trusted partnerships
• A collaborative, solutions‑oriented approach
• Professionalism, integrity, and sound business judgment

Salary: $120 - $140k per annum

The actual salary offered to the successful candidate will be determined based on job‑related factors including relevant experience, years of experience, qualifications, internal equity, and Carlson Construction Group’s compensation policy.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive Compensation – Competitive base salary, company‑paid RRSP contributions, and bonus eligibility
• Grow Your Career – Professional development, mentorship, and ongoing learning opportunities
• Time to Recharge – 14 statutory holidays per calendar year
• Comprehensive Benefits – A competitive benefits program supporting your health and well‑being
• Annual Fitness & Movement Stipend – Supporting your physical health and well‑being
• Connected Culture – Monthly social events that bring our teams together
• Long‑Term Opportunity – Build your future with a proud, BC‑based, family‑owned company that invests in its people

VanPile does not accept and is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited résumés from agencies. Agencies should not submit résumés in response to this posting, to VanPile employees, or any associated company location.

Accommodation Requests:

Should you require an accommodation during the application process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at [e-mail] with the position and location you are interested in.