Commercial & Contracts Specialist

Kiota Recruitment; West Boldon; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Kiota Recruitment seeks an experienced NEC Commercial & Contracts Specialist for a 6-9 month interim contract in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The role focuses on NEC3/NEC4 contracts from a subcontractor perspective, advising on risk, pricing and contract governance to protect margin and delivery.

You will collaborate with Commercial, Sales, Project Delivery, Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to translate complex project requirements into practical contracts and establish robust negotiation positions

Qualifications

• Extensive experience reviewing and negotiating NEC3 and NEC4 contracts.
• Strong knowledge of NEC Engineering and Construction Subcontracts and Professional Service Subcontracts.
• Experience negotiating heavily amended NEC agreements from a subcontractor perspective.
• Experience with Tier 1 contractors or major civils subcontractors preferred.
• Experience in Water, Utilities, Infrastructure, Construction or related project environments.
• Ability to assess compensation events, variations, liability, and payment terms.

Responsibilities

• Review and negotiate NEC3/NEC4 contracts with focus on ESC and PSSC agreements.
• Identify commercial and contractual risks, advising on risk allocation and negotiation positions.
• Draft, review and negotiate Z clauses and other amendments.
• Assess compensation events, liabilities, payment terms, variations and exposure.
• Advise on pricing implications to protect margin and commercial position.
• Lead contract reviews on high-risk opportunities for senior stakeholders.
• Support tender responses and ensure terms align with commitments.

Skills

NEC3/NEC4 contract negotiations

Subcontractor perspective

Risk assessment & negotiation

Stakeholder management

Job description

Interim Contract | 6 - 9 Months | Water & Infrastructure

Were working with a well-established engineering business providing specialist pumping and water treatment solutions across the UK, looking to appoint an experienced NEC Commercial & Contracts Specialist for an initial 6 - 9 month assignment.

Sitting at the heart of how complex projects are commercially structured, this role will directly influence contractual risk, margin and the terms under which work is secured and delivered.

The focus will be on reviewing and negotiating NEC3 and NEC4 agreements from a subcontractor perspective, particularly Engineering and Construction Subcontracts and Professional Service Subcontracts.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Review and negotiate heavily amended NEC3 and NEC4 contracts, with particular focus on ESC and PSSC agreements
• Identify commercial and contractual risks, advising the business on risk allocation and appropriate negotiation positions
• Draft, review and negotiate Z clauses and other contractual amendments
• Assess compensation events, liabilities, payment terms, variations and other areas of commercial exposure
• Advise on the contractual implications of pricing decisions, helping protect project margin and commercial position
• Support negotiations with Tier 1 contractors and major customers, balancing commercial protection with practical project delivery
• Lead commercial contract reviews on complex or higher risk opportunities, providing clear recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Support tender responses, ensuring proposed contractual terms are understood and considered before commitments are made
• Develop a practical contract governance framework, contract register and supporting processes to improve consistency and commercial control
• Help establish clear negotiation parameters and identify matters requiring formal legal escalation
• Work across commercial and operational teams to translate complex project requirements into contracts that can be delivered effectively

This is a hands on commercial position for someone who understands NEC contracts in practice.

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Youll work closely with Commercial, Sales, Project Delivery, Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to identify risk early, establish clear negotiation positions and develop a practical contract governance framework for the business.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Extensive experience reviewing and negotiating NEC3 and NEC4 contracts
• Strong knowledge of NEC Engineering and Construction Subcontracts and Professional Service Subcontracts
• Proven experience negotiating heavily amended NEC agreements from a subcontractor perspective
• Background with a Tier 1 contractor, major civils subcontractor or specialist subcontractor strongly preferred
• Experience within Water, Utilities, Infrastructure, Construction, Civil Engineering or a related project environment
• Strong commercial understanding of Z clauses, compensation events, variations, liability, payment terms and contractual risk allocation
• Ability to understand how contractual terms affect project delivery, pricing, margin and wider commercial exposure
• Experience supporting tenders, commercial negotiations and higher risk contract reviews
• Confident working with senior stakeholders across Commercial, Sales, Project Delivery, Procurement, Finance and Legal
• Able to identify contractual issues requiring legal escalation without treating the position as a legal advisory role
• Comfortable working independently and providing clear, commercially practical advice

Summary:

Position: NEC Commercial & Contracts Specialist

Location: Eastleigh, Hampshire

Sector: Water & Infrastructure

Duration: 6 - 9 Month Interim Contract

Schedule: 5 Days Per Week

Rate: £50,000 - £55,000 + Benefits

Start: ASAP

This is an opportunity to take real ownership of how a growing engineering business approaches NEC contracts, commercial risk and contract governance.

For an experienced NEC specialist who understands the realities of negotiating with Tier 1 contractors from the subcontractor side, this offers the scope to make a tangible commercial impact from the outset.