Senior Contracts Manager

Summary

Field-oriented Senior Contracts Manager with specific experience in the Heavy Civil, Industrial, and/or Power Generation sectors. This is a full time in-person Home Office  role, responsible for the full-cycle management of large-scale, high-value subcontracts and overall functional responsibility.

Roles and Responsibilities

Based in the Home Office, this role leads pre-award activities, subcontracting strategy, and major contract negotiations while supporting proposal and estimating teams and managing key trade partner relationships. Occasional site travel is required to support subcontract management and ensure compliance with contractual terms and company policies.

The role oversees Contract, Subcontract, and Procurement functions and requires expert knowledge of contract law, risk management, and large-scale construction operations.

Specific Duties:  

The responsibilities of this role are divided between the pre-award (home office) and post-award (field) phases.

Home Office / Pre-Award Phase:

• Strategy & Sourcing: Collaborate with Estimating and Operations to develop the overall project subcontracting strategy, including "self-perform vs. subcontract" analysis. Identify, pre-qualify, and develop a robust bidder’s list of high-quality subcontractors and vendors.
• RFP & Scope Development: Lead the development of comprehensive, clear, and "bid-ready" Request for Proposal (RFP) packages. Work with Engineering and Operations to ensure Scopes of Work (SOWs) are complete and all technical/commercial interfaces are clearly defined.
• Bidding & Analysis: Manage the formal bidding process, including issuing RFPs, responding to RFI (Requests for Information), and managing addenda. Lead the commercial bid analysis, performing detailed "apples-to-apples" bid tabulations to normalize and compare proposals.
• Negotiation & Award: Act as the lead negotiator for all major subcontracts and purchase orders, resolving commercial terms, technical exceptions, and contractual Terms & Conditions (T&Cs). Draft final subcontract agreements and exhibits based on negotiated terms and company standards. Present final award recommendations to senior management.

Field / Post-Award Phase (Travel to Support On-Site):

Support Site Subcontract, Project Management and Procurement to ensure the following are completed by Field Staff at the Site Level, and in accordance with Contract requirements and Company Policies & Procedures

• Administration & Compliance: Support or attend subcontract kick-off meetings to ensure alignment on scope, safety, schedule, and administrative procedures. Verify rigorous tracking and management of all subcontractor compliance items is completed, including insurance certificates, bonds, safety plans, and quality control documentation.
• Performance Management: Ensure continuous monitoring of subcontractor field progress against the project schedule is performed by Project Management, Supervision, Engineering and Project Controls. Support identification and management of potential risks, performance issues, and schedule slippages.  Aide in development of mitigation plans in coordination with the project team.
• Change Management: Oversee and support the subcontract change order process, from initial notification and pricing, to negotiation and execution of the formal change order(s). Verify and periodically audit the official subcontract change log(s) and ensure all changes are properly documented.
• Financial Control: Support validation and processing of subcontractor applications for payment and invoices. Verify tracking and management of potential back-charges, claims, or disputes to protect the project's commercial interests.
• Closeout: Support the comprehensive subcontract closeout process, including punch list completion, final lien waiver collection, warranty documentation, and release of retainage.

Requirements

• Expert Knowledge: Deep understanding of contract law, procurement principles, and risk management specific to the heavy construction industry.
• Advanced Negotiation: Proven ability to lead complex, high-stakes negotiations and resolve disputes amicably and professionally.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of cost control, invoice validation, and the financial impact of change orders and claims.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate complex contractual concepts to operations teams and senior leadership.
• Field Orientation: A practical, hands-on understanding of field operations, construction sequencing, and safety. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Organization: Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple high-value subcontracts simultaneously.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience:
  
  • Direct project experience within the Heavy Civil, Industrial (e.g., Petrochemical, Manufacturing), or Power (e.g., Generation, Renewables, T&D) sectors is required.
  • Proven experience managing individual subcontracts valued greater than $10 million.
• Project Types: Experience with various project delivery models, such as EPC, Design-Build, Target Price and Lump Sum, is highly desirable.
• Technology: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with construction management software (e.g., Procore, Viewpoint) and Vista ERP systems is preferred.
• Travel: Must be willing and able to travel periodically to Project Sites, as required.