Principal Manager - Construction Contracts

Invenergy•Chicago, IL

1d•$185,000 - $207,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Project Manager, Construction Contracts serves as a senior subject matter expert and technical authority for EPC and other complex construction contracts supporting Invenergy’s renewable energy portfolio. The role leads contracting strategy for complex, high-impact projects, promotes consistency and innovation in contracting processes, and advises project teams and senior stakeholders on contract structures, negotiations, and risk mitigation. Working within the project management organization, the position influences portfolio-level decisions, resolves challenging contract issues, and improves contracting standards and capabilities in collaboration with internal and external teams. The position follows Invenergy’s hybrid schedule: in-office Monday through Thursday and remote on Fridays if work permits. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, legal, or a related technical discipline.
12+ years of professional experience in project management, construction, procurement, legal, and/or contracting for large-scale infrastructure or energy projects.
Demonstrated expertise preparing, drafting, negotiating, and managing complex EPC or construction contracts.
Experience leading high-value, high-risk contract negotiations and advising senior stakeholders on commercial and contractual risk.
Ability to lead multiple complex contracting initiatives autonomously and exercise sound judgment.
Strong written, verbal, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills across organizational levels.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Eligibility to work in the United States without employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering, construction management, legal, or a related technical discipline.
4+ years in a role focused on developing, negotiating, and executing EPC or similar construction contracts.
Experience in the power and/or renewable energy industry, including utility-scale wind, solar, battery energy storage systems, and/or transmission projects.
Thorough knowledge of EPC risk allocation, scopes of work, technical specifications, contract exhibits, change management, and dispute resolution.
Ability to influence across functions, lead through ambiguity, and resolve complex issues.
Experience developing contract standards, training programs, or portfolio-level process improvements.
Desire to work in a dynamic environment alongside people with a variety of interests and backgrounds.
Excellent collaborative leadership, conflict resolution, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
High degree of integrity and understanding of ethical industry practices.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

Lead strategy, preparation, negotiation, and execution of multiple EPC and other construction-related agreements for complex, strategically significant renewable energy projects.
Serve as a senior technical authority on contract structure, commercial risk control, scope and specification alignment, terms and conditions, exhibits, and contract customization.
Ensure standard contract documents are used consistently and properly in RFPs and EPC contracts, tailoring agreements when project, technology, or market requirements warrant it.
Advise project management and senior leadership on portfolio-level risk management, material contract deviations, and paths to resolution.
Lead cross-functional contract negotiations with engineering, procurement, legal, safety, environmental strategy and compliance, project controls, finance, development, and other stakeholders.
Manage and prioritize multiple high-value contract workstreams across projects at different development and construction stages.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with EPC contractors and external partners; lead complex or sensitive commercial discussions and help resolve negotiation disputes or issues.
Establish, champion, and improve contracting standards, tools, templates, and processes to reduce risk, promote consistency, and minimize execution time.
Identify project lessons learned and emerging risks and translate them into contract language, negotiation strategies, and internal guidance.
Provide executive-level reporting on contract status, key risks, deviations from standards, and recommended actions.
Develop and lead training for project management and cross-functional teams on EPC contracting best practices, negotiation strategy, risk allocation, and standard processes.
Mentor project managers and contract professionals and strengthen organizational capability in complex contracting.