Lead Contract Variation Manager

ERTHAMILESTONE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading EPC contractor in Singapore seeks an experienced Lead Variation Manager. This role requires ownership of all contract variations for major Oil & Gas projects, managing the end-to-end variation process, and providing contractual expertise. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in EPC project management, exceptional negotiation skills, and the ability to lead teams effectively. If you are proactive and results-driven, this is a prime opportunity to impact project profitability and risk mitigation.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing variations on large-scale EPC offshore projects.
• In-depth knowledge of international contract forms like FIDIC.
• Experience working for large international EPC contractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end variation process from identification to final agreement.
• Provide expert analysis of EPC contract terms.
• Develop robust variation claims and time extension requests.
• Quantify cost and schedule impact of variations.
• Serve as the focal point and lead negotiator for variations.
• Prepare detailed reports on the status of variations.
• Guide and mentor staff on variation management best practices.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical skills

Proactive approach

Results-driven mindset

Job description

Position Overview:

We are looking for an experienced Lead Variation Manager to take full ownership and leadership of all contract variation matters for our major Oil & Gas EPC project. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding all Contractor project departments to identify and develop variations and preparing variation support documents, negotiating with the Client and securing client approval for project variations, directly impacting project profitability and risk mitigation. This role requires outstanding professional knowledge in EPC contracts and business and variation work experience with internationally renowned EPC contractors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end variation process: from identification and substantiation to submission, negotiation, and final agreement with the client.
• Contractual Expertise: provide expert analysis of the EPC contract terms to identify legitimate grounds for variations (change in scope, unforeseen conditions, client‑driven changes, etc.).
• Claim Management: develop robust, well‑documented variation claims and time extension requests, ensuring full compliance with contract procedures.
• Quantification: work closely with project controls, engineering, and construction teams to accurately quantify the cost and schedule impact of variations.
• Negotiation: serve as the focal point of variation and lead negotiator for all variation‑related discussions with the client.
• Reporting: prepare regular detailed reports for senior project and company management on the status of all variations, potential exposures, and opportunities.
• Team Leadership: guide and mentor other commercial staff on variation management best practices.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Background: must have business or variation experience working for large international EPC contractors.
• EPC Project Expertise: demonstrable track record of successfully managing variations on large‑scale, complex EPC offshore projects in the oil and gas sector.
• Contract Knowledge: in‑depth knowledge of international contract forms (e.g., FIDIC) and bespoke EPC contract structures.
• Skills: exceptional negotiation, communication, and analytical skills. Must be assertive, proactive, and results‑driven.