Contract Manager

AES Corporation; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance

401(k) eligibility

Paid time off

Job summary

AES Corporation in Arlington, Virginia, is seeking a Contracts Manager to shape strategy for utility-scale renewable projects from development through turnover to operations. You will draft and negotiate contract documents for EPC partners, support RFPs, and work with legal to minimize risk. The role requires 5+ years in construction or contract management, on-site experience, strong Excel/Proj tools, and travel up to 30%.

The position reports to Sr. Dir.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in engineering, project management, construction management, legal or equivalent.
• Master's degree highly valued.
• 5+ years of experience in construction project/contract/claim management.
• Experience with utility-scale solar, battery storage and wind.
• Experience with on-site construction contracts and procurement.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% and work across locations.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage risk.

Responsibilities

• Support contract documents in RFP processes for EPC contractors.
• Lead contract strategy and negotiations with project teams and counterparty.
• Coordinate internal SMEs including legal for approvals.
• Manage claims, disputes prevention, and litigation documentation.
• Oversee post-contract training and turnover to operations.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Project management

Microsoft Excel

Communication

Travel flexibility

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Undergraduate degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree valued

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

SharePoint

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a companythat'snot just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company witha teamof 8,300employees across 12 countries.

AES has beenranked #1 byBloombergNEFin renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricityformillions of peopleworldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work rankings across the markets where weoperate. AES was also named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.

Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoringglobal leadership in advancing the electric power industry.

Ifyou'reready to be part of a companythat'snot just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you.We'renot just building a more sustainable future,we'repowering it.

As part of the AES Clean Energy EPC Business Services Team, the Contracts Manager will help ensure a successful contract strategy for utility-scale renewable projects through development, construction, commissioning, and turnover to operations. The Contracts Manager will help guide the development and implementation of contract documents in construction RFPs and the negotiation of these documents with EPC contractor partners in accordance with AES standards and directives. Additionally, the Contracts Manager will be responsible for dispute prevention and the resolution of contractual claims, including drafting and preparation of the associated documentation (contractual letters, draft agreements/settlements, negotiations presentations and negotiating term sheets, etc.). This position will report to the Sr. Dir. of Execution Strategy.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS

Requests for Proposals

• Support project team in compiling the appropriate contract documents for distribution to 3rd party EPC contractors in project RFP processes.
• Collaborate with leadership on contract strategy for each project to inform RFP documents and approach.
• Coordinate with all departments to ensure timely and accurate inputs to contract information within RFP.
• Support project team in evaluation of contractor proposals as contract subject matter expert.

Contract Strategy and Negotiations

• Establish ground rules for EPC contract negotiation with project team and counterparty.
• Establish shared folder system and tracker for tracking EPC contract negotiation progress.
• Lead prioritization of key contract terms for negotiation according to unique project characteristics.
• Lead coordination of internal subject matter experts, including legal department, in EPC contract negotiations to ensure comprehensive review and approval of terms.
• Serve as key resource for accurately conveying commercial contract terms and negotiation points to internal legal department.
• Lead version control of contract turns and be accountable for status of each term iteration.
• Lead final approval and execution of EPC contract with internal leadership and counterparty.
• Lead post-contract execution contract training to highlight primary areas of risk and tools for claims management during project execution.

Claims Management

• Lead management of contractual claims from contractors by supporting the project execution team in diligencing and advising on contractor claims.
• Create and implement dispute prevention and resolution strategies for each project.
• Draft and prepare claims management documentation including contractual letters, draft agreements/settlements, negotiation presentations, term sheets, etc.
• Track status of ongoing or foreseeable contractual disputes and determine possible mitigatory actions to prevent, avoid and/or diminish potential damage/loss to projects.
• Advise project team on effective coordination and communication strategy with contractor to manage contract performance and risk.
• Maintain excellent, fluid, and efficient relations with all departments within the organization to serve as central resource for construction contractual matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes, procedures, and strategies within the project contracting process.
• Collect, report, and take actions on lessons learned during project execution to inform and improve future contract negotiations.
• Support project turnover from construction to operations.

Professional Development

• Seek out and propose opportunities for professional growth inside and outside of the organization to improve ability to execute of job role and responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Undergraduate Degree in engineering, project management, construction management, legal or equivalent.
• Master's degree highly valued.
• 5+ years of experience in construction project management, contract management, claim management or related roles.
• Experience with construction and supply contracts, including on site experience.
• Experience with utility-scale solar, battery storage and wind design and technical standards.
• Experience in the construction of utility-scale solar, battery storage and/or wind projects.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Sharepoint, and Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.
• Strong negotiation skills including superior communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to maintain calm and effective exchanges during stressful situations.
• Demonstrated success working to develop consensus from diverse opinions in a highly fluid and time constrained environment.
• Experience in contractor qualification processes.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience in effective project planning and executive level reporting.
• Willingness and ability to travel to various project locations up to 30%.
• Experience working effectively in cross-functional team settings.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $145,000 and $181,050/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus.

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• life insurance
• 401(k) eligibility
• paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave)

If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.