Contracts Manager

Lycopodium Limited; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Lycopodium Limited in Cape Town is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead the contracts management function within the Project Services department. Reporting to the Manager: PSG & Commercial, you will oversee contract lifecycle activities for multiple projects.

You will develop policies, manage tendering and procurement, negotiate terms, and mentor a growing contracts team while building strong relationships with clients and subcontractors to deliver successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Recognised tertiary qualification in Quantity Surveying, Law, or related discipline.
• Professional Certification in Contract Management is advantageous.
• 10+ years' experience in contract management within Mining, Engineering or Construction.
• South African Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Strong knowledge of standard forms of contract, including FIDIC and NEC.
• Understanding of contract law, commercial principles, and lifecycle management.
• Experience in tendering, procurement, contract negotiation, claims, variations, and dispute resolution.
• Leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong organisational and reporting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of contract management policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide expert contract and commercial advice to project teams throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Oversee tendering, procurement, contract awards, and contract administration for projects.
• Manage and attend to contract negotiations, claims, variations, extensions of time, and dispute resolution.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, company policies, and relevant legislation.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, registers, reporting systems, and contract documentation.
• Review and approve payment applications, invoices, and financial reconciliations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the contracts team, including performance management and recruitment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Monitor contract performance, manage commercial risks, and drive successful project outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification (Quantity Surveying or Law)

Cert in Contract Management (advantageous)

Job description

With offices in Southern Africa, Australia, Canada, USA, Ghana, Philippines, Argentina and Peru, Lycopodium proudly delivers high-quality professional engineering and project delivery services globally, across the resources, infrastructure and industrial processes sectors.

Lycopodium Africa is currently recruiting for a Contracts Manager to join our growing Project Services team in Cape Town.

Reporting to the Manager: PSG & Commercial, this role leads the contracts management function within the Project Services department and oversees project-specific contract responsibilities.

The tasks you'll perform

• Lead the development and implementation of contract management policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide expert contract and commercial advice to project teams throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Oversee tendering, procurement, contract awards, and contract administration for projects.
• Manage and attend to contract negotiations, claims, variations, extensions of time, and dispute resolution.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, company policies, and relevant legislation.
• Develop and maintain contract templates, registers, reporting systems, and contract documentation.
• Review and approve payment applications, invoices, and financial reconciliations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the contracts team, including performance management and recruitment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Monitor contract performance, manage commercial risks, and drive successful project outcomes.

The expertise you'll bring

• Recognised Tertiary Qualification in Quantity Surveying, Law, or a related discipline.
• Professional Certification in Contract Management is advantageous.
• 10+ years' experience in contract management within the Mining, Engineering or Construction environment.
• South African Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Strong knowledge of standard forms of contract, including FIDIC and NEC, with experience preparing NDAs and other commercial agreements.
• Sound understanding of contract law, commercial principles, and contract lifecycle management.
• Proven experience in tendering, procurement, contract negotiation, claims, variations, and dispute resolution.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong organisational and reporting capabilities.

The benefits we'll provide

We recognise that everyone is different and needs may change over the course of your career. That’s why we :

Invest in our people for the long-term, building a diverse and rewarding career, mentored by the best in the industry.

Allow our people to balance work with other commitments, like family or study, offering flexible work arrangements.

Are undertaking significant people and technology initiatives that will support the workplace of the future.

We encourage and value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of gender, age, disability and ethnicity.

Our commitment to equal opportunity is embodied in our values of Respect, Integrity & Diligence. They are inherent in who we are, as individuals, and collectively as a Company.

As part of our commitment to providing the best possible care and service to you the candidate, we commit to respond to every applicant.