Contract Management Specialist (M/F)

Voltalia; Porto; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Voltalia is seeking a Contract Management Specialist to optimise opportunities, protect margins, and ensure compliance across construction contracts for renewable energy assets. You will work under the Global Contract Manager and collaborate with the Construction Project team to support pre-signature, post-signature, execution, and warranty phases.

The role requires a Master’s degree in relevant fields, fluency in English, and 7-10 years of contract management experience in large projects.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English required.
• 7-10 years in contract development/management.
• Knowledge of renewable energy sector and construction contracts.
• Ability to manage ambiguities and coordinate matrix teams across geographies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills."
• Autonomy and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Pre-signature: coordinate development and finalisation of construction contracts and schedules.
• Post-signature: manage contract commitments, track events, and advise on responsibilities.
• Execution: monitor progress, ensure adherence to program, and communicate risks.
• Warranty: address warranty issues, closeout, and performance guarantees.
• Collaborate with legal to finalise documents and manage disputes or settlements.
• Act as trusted partner to IPP Management, Project Finance and Project Management teams.

Skills

Fluency in English

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Stakeholder coordination

Matrix teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Master's degree in law/commerce

Contract Management qualification

Job description

As an Independent Power Producer, Voltalia operates in over 20 countries, developing, building, and maintaining renewable energy projects and services across five key technologies: solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and storage. Backed by the AFM Group, a globally recognized, family-owned investment group, we benefit from long-term stability and a shared commitment to sustainable growth.

By the end of 2024, our operational and under-construction capacity reached 3.3 gigawatts- a 14% increase since 2023. With 1,500 employees worldwide, we thrive in a fast-moving environment driven by adaptability, innovation, and collaboration.

In our company, your work directly contributes to a more sustainable world. Whether you're driving projects forward, optimizing operations, or leading strategic initiatives, you're contributing to our mission to improve the global environment and foster local development.

At Voltalia, we welcome individuals from all backgrounds, whatever your race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, and experience. In our company, diversity drives innovation and contributes to a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Ready to make an impact? Bring your energy- let's power a sustainable future together!

YOUR MISSIONS

Under the authority of the Global Contract Manager and working closely with the Construction Project team, the Contract Management Specialist provides contract management solutions to optimise opportunities, protect margins, enable compliance with HSE requirements and maximise the long-term performance of assets in a sustainable manner.

Pre-signature:

• Effectively manage ambiguities and integrate complexities (legal, commercial and technical) across contract documents to ensure that contracts (including contract schedules) fully reflect project realities and required project outcomes.
• In concert with internal and external stakeholders, proactively coordinate the development and finalization of construction contracts and contract schedules in line with company policies and procedures

Post-signature:

• With a problem-solving mindset, control risks and performance of construction contracts and support project execution discipline across the entire construction life cycle.
• Proactively manage contract commitments, ensure traceability of project events, anticipate and implement contract changes/ variations/ notices, manage disputes and settlements, and provide independent perspectives and advisory on parties responsibilities.
• Act as trusted business partner to IPP Management, Project Finance and Project Management teams in relation to contracting and commercial topics - enabling progress and profitability of project delivery as well as driving efficiency and cost discipline.

Execution phase:

• At the beginning of the project after contract signing, prepare a summary document on the signed contract in order to communicate with the teams in charge of the project the following: main risks and opportunities, main obligations of the contractor and the employer, time extension mechanism, etc. including but not limited to an analysis of contractual risks with mitigating action plan to be followed throughout the execution of the project.
• With the PMO, monitor the progress of the project and, in support of the Project Manager, implement necessary actions for adherence to the project program.
• Track and manage events impacting the project: non-compliance with contractual obligations (in particular delays, additional costs and problems of deviations from E&S or HSE requirements, quality issues etc.); contractual communications, commercial complaints, new regulatory requirements etc.
• Support the Project Manager in the event of damage, and where necessary to call on the project insurance (and manage relationship with the loss adjuster).
• Alert the Project Manager in the event of risks of deviations between performance and contractual requirements, drifts in terms of profitability, and contractual risks that may impact the company (image, results, etc.), to protect the interests of the company, and suggest an action plan.
• In conjunction with the legal department, prepare, formalise, and finalize contract documents as are necessary to manage claims, litigations, disputes, arbitrations, commercial settlements etc.
• Actively participate with the Project Manager in the verification of the conditions relating to the acceptance of the contract and relevant project execution topics until the end of the construction phase.

Warranty phase:

• Identify and administer EPC contract warranty issues.
• In concert with the Project Manager, follow-up and document of the closing of the punch list.
• Participate in the verification of performance guarantees (with the Project Manager and the Asset Owner/IPP Manager).
• Establish necessary notices, in particular the calculation and application of the LDs if necessary (in conjunction with the Asset Owner and the lenders' advisors).
• With the Project Manager and in conjunction with the Asset Owner/IPP Manager, issue the final acceptance when applicable contractual conditions are met.
• Establish a Project Close Out report which, in concert with the Project Manager and the Asset Owner, consolidates the lessons learned from the execution of the project.
• Propose and develop novel practices for improving the professionalism and maturity level of the Contract Management function.
• Develop new contracting tools and methods, in coordination with the PMO (Project Management Officer) department to improve project risk and opportunity management.
• Deploy and utilise contract management reporting tools/registry to ensure the traceability of contractual events, communications and deviations.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCES

• Master's degree in the fields of law, commerce, purchasing, or University Diploma in Contract Management or Business School Diploma of IEP (Institute of Political Studies) or Engineering School Diploma.
• 7-10 years' experience in contract development and/or contract management across medium to large construction projects.
• General knowledge of the renewable energy sector.
• In-depth knowledge of construction contract management.
• General knowledge of construction project management.
• Knowledge of non-recourse project finance (infrastructure financing) is a plus.
• Membership of World Commerce and Contracting or similar contract/ contract management institutions is a plus.
• Fluency in English.
• System thinking skills.
• Ability to manage ambiguities and integrate complexities across diverse topics.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work with and coordinate matrix teams across diverse geographies.
• Good construction operations knowledge and legal awareness.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively in various professional situations.
• Resilience to stress.
• Enjoyment of work on construction sites.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and develop action plans.

KEY SKILLS

• Detail oriented.
• Thoroughness.
• Autonomy.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Organization.
• Proactivity.