Contracts Manager Hydropower Project

SMEC; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Contracts Manager based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The role involves end-to-end contract administration for civil engineering and hydropower projects, including procurement strategy, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in Engineering, a minimum of 3 years’ experience in contract management, and expertise in FIDIC contracts. The position may require relocation to project sites and working in a multicultural environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in contract management.
• Proven track record in large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Must be comfortable working in a multicultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer various contract types for civil works and hydropower projects.
• Manage the change control process and monitor contractor compliance.
• Facilitate dispute resolution as needed.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Change control management

KPI monitoring

Dispute resolution

Tender document preparation

Risk management

Interpreting engineering drawings

Expertise in FIDIC contracts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Degree in Construction Law

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

The Contracts Manager is responsible for the end‑to‑end administration of contracts throughout the project lifecycle. This includes procurement strategy, tendering, contract negotiation, monitoring compliance, managing claims, and ensuring that all parties fulfill their commercial and legal obligations. The goal is to mitigate risks and ensure the project is delivered within budget and legal frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Administer various contract types (e.g., FIDIC Silver/Yellow/Red Books/JKR) for civil works, dam construction, and electro‑mechanical equipment.

Manage the change control process, ensuring all variations are documented, evaluated, and approved in accordance with contract terms.

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones to ensure contractor compliance.

Link “Interim Payment Certificates” (IPCs) to actual physical progress (Earned Value) rather than just time elapsed.

Identify, evaluate, and manage potential claims (Extension of Time, Cost Overruns, etc.).

Manage the progressive “close‑out” of project packages to reduce the administrative burden during the commissioning and defects notification period.

Lead the defense against contractor claims or the preparation of owner claims.

Facilitate dispute resolution through Dispute Adjudication Boards (DAB), mediation, or arbitration as required.

Assist in developing the procurement strategies for large‑scale hydropower components (e.g., turbines, generators, transmission lines).

Oversee the preparation of tender documents, evaluation of bids, and commercial negotiations.

Ensure transparent and competitive bidding processes in line with international or organizational standards.

Assist to identify and maintain a risk register and implement mitigation strategies.

Project Management

Assist in project management.

Ensure all contractual milestones and “Key Dates” are directly mapped to the Project’s Baseline Schedule (Primavera P6/MS Project).

Proactively identify “Early Warning” signals of project slippage and coordinate with the Planning Engineer to assess the contractual impact of the Critical Path.

Manage the contractual “Interface Points” between different packages (e.g., ensuring the Civil contractor provides the powerhouse foundation on time for the Turbine/Generator supplier).

Evaluate the “Triple Constraint” (Scope, Time, and Cost) for every proposed technical change before formal authorisation.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. A degree in Construction Law is highly desirable.

Experience

Minimum of 3 years of experience in contract management.

Proven track record in large‑scale infrastructure, specifically hydropower projects.

Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and technical specifications.

Excellent drafting skills for formal correspondence and legal notices.

Expertise in FIDIC suite of contracts, which is the industry standard for international hydropower projects is preferable.

This role often involves relocation to remote project sites or frequent travel to the project location.

Must be comfortable working in a multicultural environment with international consultants and contractors.