Strategic Construction Contracts Lead

UCC Holding; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

UCC Holding, based in Saudi Arabia, seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to lead the full lifecycle of major construction agreements. You will review, draft, negotiate, and administer contracts, ensuring compliance with project procedures and regulatory standards.

The role emphasizes risk mitigation, timely variation management, and close coordination with PM, planning, QS, procurement, finance, and legal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in quantity surveying, civil engineering, construction management, business, law, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant contracts/commercial experience on large-scale construction projects.
• Experience managing contracts for mega construction, infrastructure, mixed-use, hospitality, high-rise, industrial, or major development projects.
• Experience with main contractor, developer, EPC contractor, or major construction organization.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, contract administration, claims, variations, EOT, and dispute resolution.
• Familiarity with FIDIC contracts is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of construction contracts from pre-contract through project completion and close-out.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer main contracts, subcontracts, purchase agreements, and amendments.
• Monitor contractual performance, milestones, payment terms, variations, and deliverables.
• Lead negotiations with clients, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Identify contractual and commercial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Prepare and review contractual notices, correspondence, claims, and commercial submissions.
• Maintain contract registers, variation logs, claims registers, and commercial documentation.
• Provide contractual advisory support to senior management and participate in commercial meetings.
• Ensure proper contract close-out, including final accounts and settlement of claims.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Claims handling

Contract administration

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying / Civil Engineering / Construction Management / Law

Job description

• Manage the full lifecycle of construction contracts from pre-contract through project completion and close-out.
• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer main contracts, subcontracts, purchase agreements, and amendments.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, commercial requirements, and project procedures.
• Monitor contractual performance, milestones, payment terms, variations, and deliverables.
• Manage claims, variations, extensions of time (EOT), delays, disruption, and contractual disputes.
• Prepare and review contractual notices, correspondence, claims, and commercial submissions.
• Lead negotiations with clients, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Identify contractual and commercial risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Manage subcontractor and supplier contracts, including performance, variations, payments, and claims.
• Work closely with Project Management, Planning, Quantity Surveying, Procurement, Finance, and Legal teams.
• Review project progress and identify potential commercial exposure, delays, and contractual risks.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of interim payment applications and final accounts.
• Maintain accurate contract registers, variation logs, claims registers, and commercial documentation.
• Support project teams in resolving contractual issues and disputes.
• Participate in commercial meetings and provide contractual advice to senior management.
• Ensure proper contract close-out, including final accounts, settlement of claims, warranties, and outstanding obligations.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, project procedures, and applicable Saudi/GCC regulations.

Required Experience & Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in quantity surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Law, or a related discipline
• 15 years of relevant contracts/commercial experience, preferably with significant experience on large-scale construction projects
• Proven experience managing contracts for mega construction, infrastructure, mixed-use, hospitality, high-rise, industrial, or major development projects
• Experience working for a main contractor, developer, EPC contractor, or major construction organization
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, contract administration, claims, variations, EOT, and dispute resolution
• Experience with internationally recognized contract forms such as FIDIC is highly desirable
• Strong negotiation, commercial, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong ability to manage multiple contractual matters under tight project deadlines