Associate (Contract Manager)

Gardiner and Theobald LLP; Ireland; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to work on Ireland’s nationally significant infrastructure projects

Competitive salary and benefits package

Career progression within a growing infrastructure team

Job summary

Gardiner and Theobald LLP in Ireland is seeking an experienced Associate (Contract Manager) to support contract strategy and administration for major infrastructure projects. This full-time role requires significant expertise in NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contracts. The successful candidate will drive proactive risk management and ensure best practices in contract administration while mentoring others in NEC principles. Opportunities for hybrid working may be available. Competitive salary and benefits package included.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of contract/cost management and administration.
• Extensive hands-on experience administering NEC contracts, specifically within Ireland.
• Knowledge of key performance indicators for contractors and/ or consultants.

Responsibilities

• Support the administration of NEC4 contracts, ensuring full compliance with contractual processes.
• Advise on NEC4 clauses, including compensation events and early warnings.
• Manage formal dispute processes if required, including adjudication.

Skills

Knowledge of NEC4 ECC contract mechanisms and philosophy

Commercial awareness and negotiation capability

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Excellent understanding of programme management within NEC frameworks

Extensive numeracy and analytical skills

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Law, or related discipline

NEC Accreditation (e.g., NEC4 Project Manager or ECC accreditation)

Professional membership (e.g., MRICS, MCIPS, or equivalent)

Tools

Primavera P6

CEMAR

Job description

Associate (Contract Manager)

Department: Infrastructure

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: G&T Ireland

About the Role

Gardiner & Theobald are seeking an experienced Contract Manager with deep expertise in NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) to support contract strategy, administration, and commercial management across major infrastructure projects in Ireland.

This role is essential to support proactive contract management in line with NEC principles, including collaboration, early warning, and effective risk management. The successful candidate will deliver best practice in administering NEC4 ECC contracts, ensuring successful project outcomes and strong client and supply‑chain relationships, from pre‑contract tender stages through to execution and close‑out.

What you will do

• Support the administration of NEC4 contracts, ensuring full compliance with contractual processes and timelines;
• Advise on NEC4 clauses, including compensation events, early warnings, programme acceptance, and communications;
• Ensure contracts are managed in the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation;
• Establish and manage the Early Warning Register and risk‑reduction meetings;
• Drive proactive identification and mitigation of risks in collaboration with project teams and contractors;
• Ensure timely and accurate notification of early warnings and compensation events;
• Lead assessment, negotiation and agreement of compensation events in accordance with NEC4 ECC requirements;
• Ensure robust auditable change management processes;
• Provide commercial guidance on time and cost implications;
• Review and assess contractor programmes for compliance with NEC4 requirements;
• Monitor progress against accepted programme and advise on corrective actions;
• Support project teams in understanding programme implications of compensation events;
• Act as the key contractual interface between Employer, Project Manager, Supervisor, and Contractor;
• Support collaborative working relationships aligned with NEC principles;
• Provide strategic contractual advice to senior stakeholders;
• Promote a proactive dispute‑avoidance culture through effective contract management;
• Support resolution of issues in real‑time, minimising escalation;
• Manage formal dispute processes if required, including adjudication;
• Ensure accurate and timely contract communications in line with NEC requirements;
• Maintain comprehensive records to support audit and dispute resolution;
• Provide regular reports on contractual/commercial status to senior management;
• Mentor and support contract administration team members in NEC best practices;
• Support materials for training and guidance on NEC4 ECC processes and procedures;

Location / Working arrangements

This role is based in Greater Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The successful candidate will need to either reside within daily commute of Greater Dublin, or be in a position to travel to Dublin to work on a full‑time Monday to Friday basis. Hybrid and remote working will be entertained on a case‑by‑case basis but is largely at our clients’ discretion.

About you

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Law, or related discipline;
• NEC Accreditation (e.g., NEC4 Project Manager or ECC accreditation) strongly preferred;
• Professional membership (e.g., MRICS, MCIPS, or equivalent) desirable;

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of contract/cost management and administration;
• Experience in administrating contracts, in particular, extensive hands‑on experience administering NEC contracts, specifically within Ireland;
• Knowledge of monitoring contractors and/ or consultants performance;
• Exposure to claims management;
• Experience of supporting contractors and/ or consultants performance management frameworks;
• Knowledge of key performance indicators for contractors and/ or consultants organisations, and experience in building a key performance indicator library;

Essential Skills

• Knowledge of NEC4 ECC contract mechanisms and philosophy;
• Commercial awareness and negotiation capability;
• Excellent understanding of programme management within NEC frameworks;
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills;
• Ability to foster collaboration and drive performance across multidisciplinary teams;
• Extensive numeracy and analytical skills;
• Able to work within a team, remaining flexible to changing patterns and workloads;
• Excellent report writing & presentation skills;
• Understanding of project & contract management software, such as Primavera P6 and CEMAR;

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on Ireland’s nationally significant infrastructure projects;
• Competitive salary and benefits package;
• Hybrid working and flexible arrangements;
• Career progression within a growing partner‑led infrastructure team;