Director of Contract Management

Cromwell Architects Engineers•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Director of Contract Management leads the firm’s contract strategy, negotiation, administration, and compliance functions across all architectural and engineering projects. This role ensures that client agreements, consultant contracts, and subcontracts align with company risk tolerance, financial objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. The Director works closely with executive leadership, production manager, project managers, finance, legal counsel, and business development teams to mitigate risk, enhance contractual performance, and support profitable project delivery. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
10+ years of progressive experience in contract management within the A/E/C industry.
5+ years’ experience in a leadership or senior management role.
Proven track record of securing and managing client relationships and contracts.
Extensive experience negotiating AIA, EJCDC, and other industry-standard agreements.
Strategic Thinking
Risk Management
Decision-Making Under Pressure
Operational Leadership with strong team development capabilities
Strong understanding of professional services contracts and project delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, etc.).
Expertise in risk allocation, indemnity clauses, insurance provisions, and limitation of liability.
Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
Ability to balance business objectives with legal risk considerations.

Nice To Haves

Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) or Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) preferred
Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred

Responsibilities

Assists the Business Development team with strategic partnerships with new and existing clients, serving as the point of contact for contract governance, scope alignment, and issue resolution to ensure seamless project execution and long-term client success.
Develop and implement firm-wide contract management policies, procedures, and best practices.
Establish risk assessment frameworks for project contracts.
Advise executive leadership on contractual risk exposure and mitigation strategies.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to contract lifecycle management.
Lead negotiation of prime agreements with public and private sector clients.
Oversee review and negotiation of consultant agreements, subconsultant contracts, and joint venture agreements.
Ensure alignment with professional liability, indemnification, insurance, and regulatory requirements.
Partner with outside counsel as needed for complex or high-risk agreements.
Identify, evaluate, and mitigate contractual risks.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local procurement laws (including public agency requirements).
Review and coordinate with internal risk management team contract requirements to insurance, bonding, and indemnification provisions.
Support claims avoidance and dispute resolution strategies.
Collaborate with Project Managers to interpret contract terms and obligations.
Provide guidance on scope changes, amendments, and change orders.
Assist in resolving contract-related disputes and claims.
Support audit readiness and documentation controls.
Review payment terms, limitation of liability clauses, and compensation structures.
Align contractual provisions with project financial objectives.
Track and report contract performance metrics to executive leadership.
Lead and mentor contract administrators and support staff.
Provide training to project teams on contract awareness and risk management.
Foster cross-functional collaboration between legal, finance, and operations teams.
All other duties as assigned.