Contract Lead

APM Terminals; Den Haag; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals is seeking a Contract Lead to oversee contract governance and management across BIM capital projects in a global setting. You will promote consistent contract controls, support audits, and drive improvements while collaborating with project teams and functions.

Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the role offers exposure to a multinational environment and opportunities to shape contract management practices, risk reporting, and strategic governance within a growing port operations

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing contracts throughout the entire lifecycle.
• Experience with FIDIC Contracts and EPC/Design & Build contracts.
• Ability to interpret contractual mechanisms and assess time/cost impact of claims.
• Experience delivering contract assurance and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Govern contract strategy, governance and framework across projects.
• Monitor compliance, licenses, insurance and contract milestones.
• Manage portfolio-level contract status and reporting.
• Identify risks, disputes and claims and escalate when needed.
• Provide contract advisory support to project teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract management.

Skills

Contracts management

Stakeholder influence

English communication

Project management

FIDIC contracts knowledge

Education

Engineering/Construction-related degree or equivalent

Job description

APM Terminals Contract Lead APM Terminals has embarked on an exciting global growth journey. Building on our extensive industry experience and internationally recognized operational standards, we are shaping a best-in-class implementation setup, combining clear, optimized processes with an agile, forward-looking team. Our success is driven by a strong commitment to LEAN methodologies, embedding continuous improvement into every aspect of our operations.

As part of our Growth Strategy at APM Terminals, we are investing in greenfield projects to expand our existing footprint and working with our existing brownfield sites to ensure best-in-class terminals across the globe.

Our ability to design and build a terminal, establish an operational organization and secure commercial business is pivotal to achieving these ambitions.

As part of the BIM PMO team, this position has a global scope and will provide Contract Management support services to capital investment projects, working across the Business Implementation Management (BIM) transversal.

The Contract Lead provides independent contract governance, assurance, compliance oversight, portfolio monitoring, reporting and advisory support across BIM capital projects.

The role supports Project Teams and Project Contracts Managers by promoting consistent application of the APM Terminals Contract Management Framework, strengthening contract controls, improving contractual reporting, and supporting proactive management of claims, variations, risks and disputes.

The role works both with projects and across the BIM organisation to strengthen contract management capability, improve standards, embed lessons learned and support continuous improvement of contract management practices.

What We Offer

At APMT Terminals, we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement is driven by Lean principles, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers. Experience a diverse, multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.

Location: role is based in The Hague, Netherlands. The role may require occasional travel.

Position reports to: Contract Strategy & Execution Lead – BIM PMO

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract Governance & Assurance Lead and support implementation of the Contract Management Framework across projects through guidance and assurance. Promote consistent application of contract management standards, procedures, and governance requirements. Conduct periodic contract health checks and governance reviews. Review adherence to contractual approval authorities and delegated authority requirements. Monitor compliance with contractual processes, workflows, and documentation standards. Support internal and external audits relating to contract management activities. Identify governance gaps and recommend corrective actions. Monitor implementation and close-out of audit findings and governance actions.
2. Contract Compliance Monitoring Monitor compliance with contractual obligations, conditions precedent, milestones, deliverables, notice requirements, and key contractual deadlines. Verify that contractual obligations are appropriately tracked and managed by project teams. Monitor the validity and tracking of insurances, bonds, guarantees, securities, and warranties. Review project contract administration practices to ensure contractual obligations, notices, approvals and records are managed in accordance with approved procedures. Monitor contractor and employer contract compliance trends across projects. Escalate material contractual non-compliance and emerging contractual concerns to the Contract Strategy & Execution Lead.
3. Contract Controls & Portfolio Monitoring Maintain portfolio-level visibility of contractual status across all assigned projects. Monitor the reporting and management of project claims, variations, notices, compensation events, contractual correspondence, disputes, and key contractual risks. Review completeness and quality of project contractual records and registers. Verify that project controls and contract controls remain aligned. Monitor contractual exposure and emerging trends across the portfolio. Ensure contract registers, claims logs, variation logs, notice trackers and key contractual records are maintained to an agreed standard across projects. Identify recurring control issues and lessons learned for escalation into portfolio reporting and continuous improvement processes.
4. Contract Risk Management & Early Warning Monitor contractual risk exposure throughout the project lifecycle. Identify emerging contractual risks, trends, and areas requiring management intervention. Support early identification of contractual entitlement, exposure and potential claims to enable timely intervention and preservation of contractual rights. Support development, tracking and close-out of contractual risk response actions. Review contract risk registers and assess effectiveness of response actions. Escalate significant contractual risks and potential disputes in a timely manner.
5. Reporting, Analytics & Performance Insights Develop and maintain contract management reporting and performance dashboards. Consolidate contractual information across multiple projects. Produce periodic contract governance, compliance, claims, variation, dispute, and risk reports. Provide management with data‑driven contractual insights and trend analysis. Prepare clear, concise contractual insights and recommendations for executive reporting, stage‑gate reviews and governance forums. Develop and maintain contract management KPIs, leading indicators and performance metrics to support proactive portfolio oversight. Identify opportunities for improvement through analysis of contractual performance trends. Support stage‑gate reviews and governance forums with contractual reporting and recommendations.
6. Contract Advisory Support With the support of the Contract Strategy and Execution Lead, act as a trusted contract management advisor to the project teams. Support Project Managers and Contracts Managers with contractual interpretation and governance guidance. Advise project teams on contractual obligations, governance requirements and escalation routes. Coordinate with Legal, Procurement, Finance, Risk and Project Controls functions where contractual matters require cross‑functional input or escalation. Support reviews of contractor submissions and contractual documentation. Contribute to development of contractual position papers and management briefings where required.
7. Capability Building & Continuous Improvement Support the development of organisational contract management capability across BIM projects. Deliver awareness sessions, workshops and coaching on contract governance, contract administration and best practices. Support onboarding of project personnel on contract management processes, tools and requirements. Maintain a structured repository of contract management standards, templates, lessons learned, and training materials. Facilitate sharing of lessons learned and best practices across projects. Benchmark internal and external industry practices and recommend improvements to the Contract Management Framework. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen contract management maturity across the portfolio.
8. Interim Contracts Management When required and subject to agreed governance boundaries, act as interim Contracts Manager during contract drafting, negotiation or mobilisation phases, ensuring continuity of contract management support and appropriate handover to the appointed project Contracts Manager.

We are looking for people with:

• Proven experience managing contracts throughout the entire lifecycle: contract strategy, tendering and procurement, contract negotiation, contract administration, claims, dispute management, and close‑out.
• Experience with FIDIC Contracts (Red, Yellow, White, Green, Blue, Silver Books) and well as with bespoke EPC, Design & Build and reimbursable contracts, concession, O&M or interface agreements.
• Ability to interpret and apply contractual mechanisms, identify potential claims, assess time and cost impact of claims and Variations.
• Experience with Dispute Board and Arbitration processes is a plus.
• Experience developing and working with project standards and delivering project assurance from a preservation of contractual entitlement perspective.
• Experience in developing reports and performance insights for contracts management.
• Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders and project teams in a matrix organisation without direct authority.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication, presentation and facilitation skills. Any knowledge of other languages is a plus.
• Degree or equivalent experience in engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, law, commercial management, project management or a related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as FIDIC Certified Contract Manager, MRICS, MCIArb, PMP or equivalent are advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years of contracts management experience in construction, infrastructure, engineering, energy, ports, industrial or major capital projects.
• Experience from a major civil infrastructure construction project is a major advantage.
• 3 years of port industry experience, terminal construction or upgrade experience is a plus.

We are looking for people who consistently puts customers first, leads by example with respect for people, delivers results with integrity, and drives continuous improvement by solving problems at the root, developing people, and raising standards every day. Continuous improvement mindset: we are looking for someone who brings a thoughtful improvement mindset - curious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful, sustainable improvements over time.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements. We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].

At APM Terminals, we are a team of over 20,000 employees spread across more than 60 countries united by a passion to provide our expertise in port operations and container management services. By providing the expertise and port infrastructure essential to world trade, we actively support the advancement of the societies around us, enabling local economies to unlock their potential and build an even stronger global community. Working with a team of talented professionals you will get a chance to experience different cultures and make friends all over the world. You’ll find a culturally diverse, stimulating environment at any of our offices, terminals or depots. When you join APM Terminals, the world is your workplace.

APM Terminals is an independent business unit within the Danish Maersk Group – a Global Fortune 500 company with about 89,000 employees and offices in 130 countries with global growth opportunities in a range of fields from shipping and energy to our offshore and manufacturing industries - Join us to achieve even your most ambitious career goals!