Contracts Manager (Commercial & Legal)

Imech Engineering; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IMECH Engineering is seeking a senior contracts professional to lead commercial and legal matters in-house, with a focus on EPC/subcontract terms and claim resolution. The role involves drafting amendments, mobilising contracts, and coordinating with directors and external solicitors.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in contract management on construction, energy or process projects, strong knowledge of FIDIC/NEC/IChemE, and a law degree with construction law expertise.

Qualifications

• Degree in law with construction sector focus.
• Postgraduate qualification in construction law (advantage).
• Experience in drafting amendments and negotiating contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Review tender and contract documents and identify risk.
• Draft amendments, deviation schedules and clarifications; negotiate terms to award.
• Lead contract mobilisation and governance for projects; manage change, claims and EoT submissions.
• Advise on liability caps, indemnities, liquidated damages, insurance and termination provisions.
• Ensure main contract terms flow down into subcontracts and supplier agreements.
• Manage external solicitors for adjudication, arbitration or litigation if needed.

Skills

Contract management

FIDIC

NEC

IChemE

Negotiation

Education

Law degree

Construction law postgraduate

MRICS / MCIArb

Quantity surveying

Job description

IMECH Engineering Limited | North West England / North Wales (hybrid, with site visits) | Permanent, full-time

About IMECH

IMECH Engineering is a UK mechanical, electrical and industrial engineering contractor, founded in 2024 and registered in London. We deliver industrial piping, structural steel, mechanical erection and electrical installation works as a specialist subcontractor to Tier-1 EPC and main contractors. Our work spans energy, carbon capture, process and industrial projects. Our site workforce of welders, pipe fitters and electricians runs under a structured management system.

We have secured a growing pipeline of major projects across the North West, and we need a senior contracts professional who understands both the commercial and the legal side of construction contracts. You will be our in-house lead on contractual and legal matters, working directly with the directors and with external solicitors where needed.

Key responsibilities

• Review tender and contract documents (EPC subcontracts, LOIs, framework and supply agreements) and identify legal and commercial risk
• Draft amendments, deviation schedules and clarifications, and negotiate terms through to award
• Lead contract mobilisation by turning contractual obligations into clear delivery requirements for project teams, and set up contract governance, registers and reporting
• Act as the contractual point of contact for clients' contracts and procurement teams
• Draft and manage contractual correspondence, notices and records
• Manage change, claims and extension of time submissions with the planning and commercial teams, and lead dispute avoidance and resolution
• Advise on liability caps, indemnities, liquidated damages, insurance, security (bonds, guarantees, retention) and termination provisions
• Make sure main contract terms flow down correctly into our own subcontracts and supplier agreements
• Brief and manage external solicitors on adjudication, arbitration or litigation if needed
• At least 8 years in contract management on construction, energy, oil and gas or process projects, ideally on the contractor or subcontractor side
• Strong practical knowledge of FIDIC, NEC, IChemE or LOGIC, and of bespoke EPC contract forms
• Sound understanding of English construction law, including the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (payment and notice regime, adjudication), contract formation, deeds and limitation
• Proven experience drafting and negotiating contract amendments and preparing claims and EoT submissions
• Experience mobilising significant or complex contracts
• Excellent written English, and confidence advising directors and negotiating with senior client teams
• Degree in law, quantity surveying, commercial management or engineering; postgraduate qualification in construction law (LLM / PgDip) an advantage
• MCIArb, MRICS or equivalent professional membership
• Experience of adjudication or arbitration support
• Knowledge of NAECI and CIS
• Experience in a fast-growing SME environment

Right to work: [Candidates must have the right to work in the UK / Visa sponsorship available for the right candidate]