Contracts Administrator - Rail Projects

Parsons; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 335,000 - 502,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons is seeking a senior Contracts Administrator for the Riyadh Metro program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role focuses on managing contract administration, claims, cost control, and procurement compliance across heavy civil rail works.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years of post-qualification experience, familiarity with FIDIC contracts, and a track record in complex disputes and variations. Based at the Riyadh Head Office with site visits as needed.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of post-qualification experience in heavy civil construction and rail projects.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts or equivalent international forms.
• Proven ability to negotiate major claims and variations with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract administration activities for major rail and heavy civil works.
• Manage claims, disputes, procurement requirements, and cost analysis.
• Review and revise contractual documentation before approval and implementation.
• Provide structured oversight of contract performance from procurement to closeout.
• Mentor and guide junior contract administration staff and ensure audit readiness.

Skills

Contract administration

Claims management

Variation management

Cost analysis

Dispute resolution

Commercial management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Law/Construction/Engineering

Job description

Contracts Administrator - Rail Projects Job Snapshot

Role: Contracts Administrator - Rail Projects

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Industry: Construction

Function: Contracts Administration

Experience: Minimum 15 years

Job Type: Full-time

Contracts Administrator - Rail Projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is a senior Construction opportunity supporting the long-term delivery of the Riyadh Metro through contract administration, claims management, commercial control, procurement compliance, and dispute resolution. Parsons is hiring an experienced contracts professional with extensive heavy civil and rail project exposure to manage complex contractual matters, negotiate major claims and variations, strengthen commercial governance, and support project leadership throughout the five-year assignment.

Job Details Country: Saudi Arabia City: Riyadh Industry: Construction Function: Contracts Administration Salary: 30000-45000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Role Context The Contracts Administrator will play a senior role in protecting commercial and contractual interests across the Riyadh Metro project. Based primarily at the Riyadh Head Office, the position will also require visits to project sites to verify progress and understand issues affecting contractor performance, payments, claims, and contractual obligations. Working with the Package Manager, project executives, commercial teams, project managers, and other Contract Administrators, the role will provide structured oversight of contract performance from procurement and contract formulation through execution, cost management, claims assessment, negotiation, and dispute resolution. The position will also contribute to stronger commercial controls by refining procedures, monitoring compliance, and guiding contract administration staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract administration activities supporting the performance and delivery of major rail and heavy civil works.
• Monitor contracted services to ensure obligations are fulfilled, statutory requirements are satisfied, and required project outcomes are achieved.
• Coordinate contractual matters involving claims, disputes, contract interpretation, procurement requirements, variations, and cost analysis.
• Review contractual documentation and recommend revisions before approval and implementation.
• Confirm that contract terms and conditions remain aligned with approved procurement strategies and project requirements.
• Develop and maintain systems and procedures for monitoring internal and external contracts.
• Identify contractual compliance issues early and coordinate practical corrective actions with project stakeholders.
• Advise project leadership on appropriate construction procurement strategies, contract structures, and supporting agreements.
• Improve commercial processes by refining contract formulation methods, procedures, controls, and operating guidelines.
• Identify potential contractor claims and review submissions against contractual notification, substantiation, and entitlement requirements.
• Lead negotiations relating to significant claims, variations, and contractual settlements.
• Prepare client-side claims arising from contractor default or failure to meet contractual obligations.
• Calculate losses and financial consequences associated with non-performance and recommend appropriate contractual remedies.
• Assess variation entitlement and support commercial negotiations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain oversight of contract budgets and evaluate whether contractual arrangements continue to provide value for money.
• Review and approve payment certificates in accordance with contractual requirements and verified project progress.
• Examine subcontractor invoices and client billing documentation before financial processing.
• Coordinate contract cost management activities with commercial, quantity surveying, finance, and project controls teams.
• Support resolution of major disputes through detailed review of contractual records, correspondence, cost information, and project events.
• Maintain accurate contract administration records to provide clear audit trails for decisions, claims, payments, and variations.
• Visit project locations when necessary to validate actual construction progress and investigate contractual issues.
• Develop constructive relationships with contractors, consultants, client representatives, and senior project stakeholders.
• Co-manage experienced Contract Administration personnel and provide professional guidance on complex contractual matters.
• Critically review commercial recommendations and challenge assumptions when required to protect project interests.

Ideal Profile

The position requires a bachelor 's degree from an accredited university, preferably in Business, Law, Construction, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or another relevant discipline. Candidates should have at least 15 years of post-qualification experience involving heavy civil construction projects, with recent senior-level responsibility in contract administration, claims management, quantity surveying, or major contractual disputes. Strong Rail or rail-related project experience is required. The successful candidate should have previously worked either in a management-level contractor environment or with an engineering consultant, commercial consultancy, or claims consultancy providing advice on contracts, procurement, claims, and disputes. A broad understanding of the full project lifecycle is essential, including contractual frameworks, procurement, cost estimation, site delivery, cost control, payment administration, claims, variations, and dispute resolution. Practical knowledge of FIDIC contracts or comparable international contract forms is required. The role also demands a demonstrable record of negotiating substantial claims and variations and developing successful working relationships with senior stakeholders. Professional qualifications such as MRICS, FRICS, MInstCES, ACIArb, LLM, or comparable credentials will be highly regarded. Strong written and spoken English, confident negotiation ability, sound commercial judgment, excellent interpersonal skills, and familiarity with contract administration software and standard PC applications are important for success.

Skills Set

• FIDIC contracts
• Rail contract administration
• Riyadh Metro project delivery
• Heavy civil construction
• Construction contracts
• Claims management
• Claims negotiation
• Variation management
• Contract interpretation
• Dispute resolution
• Commercial management
• Contract procurement
• Contract compliance
• Cost analysis
• Cost management
• Contract budgeting
• Payment certificate review
• Subcontractor invoicing
• Client invoicing
• Contractual documentation
• Contract negotiations
• Construction procurement
• Contract formulation
• Financial contract management
• Loss assessment
• Contractor performance monitoring
• Value for money assessment
• Claims substantiation
• Contractual entitlement
• Project lifecycle management
• Quantity surveying
• Commercial procedures
• Contract policies
• Stakeholder management
• Team supervision
• Site progress verification
• Contract risk management
• Professional report preparation

Why Join Us

Riyadh 's expanding rail and infrastructure program continues to create strong demand for senior professionals who can manage complex construction contracts, high-value claims, and sophisticated commercial relationships. This five-year Riyadh Metro assignment offers sustained involvement in one of the region 's most significant transportation environments, providing exposure to major contract negotiations, financial oversight, dispute resolution, and multidisciplinary project delivery. The position offers an experienced contracts professional the opportunity to influence commercial outcomes at a senior level while strengthening expertise in Rail project administration, FIDIC-based contracting, claims strategy, and long-term infrastructure delivery.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation provides engineering, construction management, infrastructure, technology, and program delivery services across major transportation and urban development projects. In Saudi Arabia, its teams support complex rail, infrastructure, and city development programs through specialist capabilities in contract administration, project management, commercial management, engineering, project controls, and construction supervision.