Senior Contracts Manager - Commercial Strategy

Parsons; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons Corporation is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to lead contract management across major projects in Saudi Arabia. You will administer FIDIC, NEC, and bespoke contracts while aligning commercial strategy with project objectives.

The role demands senior-level judgment in claims, variations, change orders, and disputes, plus leadership of a contracts team and collaboration with procurement, cost, and finance functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• 15+ years in contracts or commercial management in large-scale construction.
• Proven experience with major construction, infrastructure, or engineering projects.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and contract administration.
• Experience with NEC and bespoke contracts is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract management activities across the project portfolio.
• Administer FIDIC, NEC, and bespoke contracts per Saudi law.
• Develop and implement commercial and contract strategies in line with objectives.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation across contracts and finances.
• Lead negotiations on claims, variations, and disputes.
• Provide guidance on contract interpretation and risk allocation.
• Coordinate with procurement to support project delivery.
• Maintain governance and reporting on commercial matters.
• Mentor Contract Managers and develop the team.

Skills

FIDIC contracts

NEC contracts

Contract administration

Contract strategy

Claims management

Variation management

Change control

Budget support

Financial forecasting

Stakeholder management

Commercial governance

Contract team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Law, or related

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Senior Contracts Manager - Commercial Strategy
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Industry: Construction
Function: Contracts Administration
Experience: 15 years in commercial and contracts management across major construction projects
Job Type: Full-time

Job Details

Country: Saudi Arabia
City: Riyadh
Industry: Construction
Function: Contracts Administration
Salary: 45000-65000 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 Senior Contracts Manager will lead contract management across a multidisciplinary Delivery Partner environment where commercial decisions influence cost, schedule, legal exposure, and overall project performance. The position requires senior-level judgment in contract interpretation, claims, change, dispute avoidance, procurement coordination, and risk mitigation. By directing a team of Contract Managers and maintaining disciplined contractual governance, the role will help protect Parsons and Client interests while supporting timely and commercially sustainable project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all contract management activities across the assigned project portfolio.
• Administer complex FIDIC, NEC, and bespoke contracts in line with contractual obligations and Saudi Arabian law.
• Establish strategic contract management priorities and ensure consistent execution across project packages.
• Identify contractual and financial risks early and implement practical mitigation strategies.
• Lead the assessment, negotiation, and resolution of significant claims, variations, change orders, and disputes.
• Provide authoritative advice on contract interpretation, entitlement, notice requirements, and risk allocation.
• Develop and implement commercial and contract management strategies aligned with project objectives.
• Review Change Requests and manage associated documentation through Engineer 's Instructions and Variation Orders.
• Ensure all proposed changes are properly supported by scope, cost, schedule, and contractual evidence.
• Monitor compliance with contract terms, conditions, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Support project budget development and commercial forecasting in coordination with cost and finance teams.
• Prepare senior-level contractual reports, forecasts, commercial assessments, and risk summaries.
• Coordinate closely with procurement teams to ensure sourcing and contracting activities support project delivery requirements.
• Maintain effective relationships with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and other delivery partners.
• Assess contractor and consultant performance from a contractual and commercial perspective.
• Develop contingency strategies for emerging financial, contractual, and delivery challenges.
• Represent the project in high-level commercial negotiations and contractual discussions.
• Work closely with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to maintain alignment on commercial matters.
• Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, contractual, and organizational requirements.
• Lead and mentor Contract Managers, providing guidance on complex contractual matters and professional development.
• Promote consistent standards of technical quality, commercial discipline, and contractual integrity across the team.
• Escalate significant claims, disputes, commercial risks, and contractual exposures to senior leadership.
• Present major contractual issues, recommendations, and negotiation outcomes to stakeholders and executive management.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Law, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in contracts or commercial management.
• Strong background across major construction, infrastructure, or engineering sectors.
• Extensive practical knowledge of FIDIC contracts and contract administration.
• Experience with NEC and bespoke contractual arrangements is highly valuable.
• Proven record of leading large-scale contract portfolios and complex project negotiations.
• Strong understanding of cost and commercial management principles, procurement processes, and contract risk.
• Demonstrated capability in claims, variations, disputes, and change management.
• Able to interpret complex contractual provisions and provide clear strategic advice.
• Familiar with Saudi Arabian regulations, regional construction practices, and industry standards.
• Experience within PMO or major program delivery environments is highly desirable.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical judgment, and problem-solving capability.
• Able to manage multiple high-priority contractual matters under time pressure.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing contracts teams.
• MRICS or equivalent professional certification is preferred.

Skills Set

• FIDIC contracts
• NEC contracts
• Bespoke contracts
• Contract administration
• Contract strategy
• Contract interpretation
• Claims management
• Variation management
• Change control
• Engineer 's Instructions
• Variation Orders
• Commercial management
• Commercial risk management
• Dispute resolution
• Contract negotiations
• Procurement coordination
• Cost and commercial reporting
• Budget support
• Financial forecasting
• Contractor management
• Consultant management
• Supplier management
• Saudi contract compliance
• Legal and regulatory compliance
• PMO delivery
• Stakeholder management
• Commercial governance
• Risk mitigation
• Contract team leadership
• Executive reporting

Why Join Us

Riyadh 's major infrastructure and development programs require senior contract professionals who can manage high-value agreements, complex change, claims, procurement interfaces, and commercial risk across multiple workstreams. This role offers strategic influence over contract governance and negotiation while providing leadership responsibility within a large Delivery Partner environment. It is well suited to an experienced contracts professional seeking senior-level impact within Saudi Arabia 's growing Construction sector.

About the Company

Parsons Corporation delivers engineering, infrastructure, program management, and technology services for complex projects around the world. In Saudi Arabia, the company supports major development programs where disciplined contract administration, commercial strategy, stakeholder coordination, and risk management are critical to successful delivery.