Contract Manager

Zachry Group•Sherrills Ford, NC

About The Position

The Contract Manager works within the Project Controls Function and through the Project Management Team (PMT), leading management and influencing of commercial, contractual, and risk matters on challenging EP, CM, C, or EPC projects. The role focuses on managing commercial risk and protecting and optimizing project profitability. As a key member of the Project Leadership Team, the Contract Manager advises the PMT on contractual, commercial, and risk issues and serves as the primary interface with the Owner on contract and commercial matters. The position requires limited but active supervision. The Contract Manager serves as the contract advisor and commercial custodian for assigned projects, providing expertise on contract terms, conditions, intent, and associated risks. The role supports project execution and margin improvement through contract analysis, commercial governance, risk management, change and claims management, contract administration, and training project personnel. It also coordinates with Legal, project leadership, procurement, subcontract, and other functional teams, and provides regular commercial updates to project and executive stakeholders.

Requirements

4+ years of relevant commercial, contract, or project management experience is preferred.
A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is required.
Effective written and verbal communication skills in an international, multicultural team environment.
Knowledge of document management, scheduling, and cost management techniques for major projects.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, SharePoint, Teams, Power BI, Riskonnect, and other commercial management, collaboration, and reporting platforms.
Experience in contract management, change management, and administration.
Proven negotiation skills.
Experience with impact identification and calculation techniques for major EPC projects.
Forward-looking, proactive, and self-motivated approach to work.
Availability for required international and domestic travel.
Willingness to accept an extended assignment to a project site as part of the PMT.
Citizenship permitting unencumbered entry into and exit from countries where partners, suppliers, or customers may be domiciled.

Nice To Haves

Advanced business, management, or law degree.

Responsibilities

Understand project scope, agreed terms, contractual deliverables, the commercial model, the basis of the as-sold margin, the as-sold strategy, and bid-stage risks.
Participate in developing commercial execution plans and advocate for compliance, implementation, and appropriate deviation approvals.
Collaborate with support functions to ensure conformance with Zachry’s Deal Architecture.
Understand key performance incentives, limitations of liability, liquidated damages, bonus opportunities, and rate escalations; develop and implement risk mitigation or opportunity-capture strategies.
Develop and implement commercial execution processes, including escalated change management, third-party risk-term flow-downs, risk mitigation, and dispute management protocols.
Prepare formal contractual notices and follow up on them.
Manage claims and disputes involving Zachry, Owners, and sub-tier contractors; negotiate and implement timely and fair resolutions while protecting Zachry’s interests.
Support and negotiate settlement agreements, document proceedings, and implement outcomes.
Coordinate escalated Change Order activities with the client, including correspondence, identification, and narratives, working with the Change Management team.
Interface with joint venture partners and client counterparts, as part of the PMT, in administration of the JV agreement and EPC Contract.
Manage client and JV communications on commercial matters in coordination with project management.
Participate in Owner and Project Management Team progress meetings.
Collaborate with Zachry managers and functional support teams, including Legal/Risk, Accounting, JV Administration, Estimating, and Change Management.
Support procurement and subcontract managers with vendor back-charge recovery, revenue recovery, commercial terms and change orders for major vendors and subcontractors, claim and risk mitigation, contractual flow-downs, negotiation assistance, deviation approvals, and risk identification.
Work with the home office to administer commercial requirements involving insurance programs, bank guarantees, and other project commercial matters.
Provide regular updates to the Project Manager, Steering and Sponsor Committees, and Home Office Executive Management.
Lead dispute activities in coordination with the Legal Team, Project Manager, and Executive Leadership.
Serve as Contract Executive for assigned projects and as the first escalation point for significant changes, claims, litigation, or disputes.
Serve as the primary liaison between the project and Zachry Legal on contractual and dispute matters.
Use contract provisions and business circumstances to improve project execution, support margin enhancement, and streamline contract administration.
Support project risk management through contractual analysis and commercial governance.
Provide contract awareness and training to project personnel on agreed terms, initial risks, scope obligations, and commercial processes.
Provide written commercial insights on project performance, margin opportunities, contractual risks, and recommended corrective actions.
Provide contractual interpretation and commercial analysis related to project performance, compliance, opportunities, and margin impacts.
Capture and communicate lessons learned from project commercial and contractual experiences.