Contract Manager

Zachry Group•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Contract Manager works within the Project Controls Function and through the Project Management Team (PMT), taking a lead role in managing and influencing the commercial, contractual, and risk aspects of challenging engineering, procurement, construction management, construction, or EPC projects. The role supports commercial risk management and the protection and optimization of 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 project contract advisor and commercial custodian, interprets contract terms and risks, supports project risk management and margin-enhancement opportunities, and provides contract awareness and training to project personnel. The role leads dispute activities in coordination with Legal, the Project Manager, and executive leadership, and serves as the Contract Executive and first escalation point for significant changes, claims, litigation, or disputes. The position reports functionally to the Corporate Senior Director and day to day to the assigned Project Manager. The employee may work in an office, trailer, or building on or off site, and must be willing to accept an extended assignment to a project site as part of the PMT. International and domestic travel is required. On work sites, noise levels may be moderate to high, with equipment, vehicles, materials, communication equipment, tools, and people working in the area.

Requirements

At least 4 years of relevant commercial, contract, or project management experience is preferred.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline is required.
Proven 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, self-motivated approach to work.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
Willingness to accept an extended assignment to a project site as part of the PMT.
Citizenship that allows unencumbered entry into and exit from countries where partners, suppliers, or customers may be domiciled.

Nice To Haves

An advanced business, management, or law degree.

Responsibilities

Understand the project scope, agreed terms, contractual deliverables, commercial model, and basis of the as-sold margin and strategy, including risks accepted during bidding.
Participate in developing commercial execution plans and advocate for compliance, appropriate implementation, and approval of deviations.
Collaborate with support functions to ensure conformance with Zachry’s Deal Architecture.
Understand key performance incentives, limitations of liability, liquidated damages, bonus opportunities, rate escalations, and related commercial terms; develop and implement risk-mitigation and opportunity-capture strategies.
Develop and implement commercial execution processes for escalated changes, third-party flow-down terms, risk mitigation, and dispute management.
Prepare formal contractual notices and manage follow-up.
Manage claims and disputes involving Zachry, Owners, and sub-tier contractors; negotiate fair and timely resolutions that protect 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 on administration of JV agreements and EPC contracts.
Manage client and JV communications on commercial matters in coordination with project management, and participate in Owner and PMT progress meetings.
Work collaboratively 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, major vendor and subcontractor commercial matters and change orders, claim and risk mitigation, contractual flow-downs, negotiation assistance, deviation approvals, and risk identification.
Work with the home office to administer commercial requirements for insurance programs, bank guarantees, and other commercial project content.
Provide regular updates to the Project Manager, Steering and Sponsor Committees, and Home Office Executive Management.
Serve as Contract Executive for assigned projects and the first escalation point for significant changes, claims, litigation, or disputes.
Act as the primary liaison between the project and Zachry Legal regarding contractual and dispute matters, and lead dispute activities with Legal, the Project Manager, and executive leadership.
Use contract provisions and business circumstances to improve project execution, support margin-enhancement opportunities, and streamline contract administration.
Serve as the subject matter expert on assigned project contract terms, conditions, intent, and associated risks.
Support project risk management through contractual analysis and commercial governance processes.
Provide project personnel with contract awareness and training 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 concerning project performance, compliance, opportunities, and margin impacts.
Capture and communicate lessons learned from project commercial and contractual experiences.