We are seeking an experienced Contracts Administrator to support the commercial and contractual management of high-rise building and civil construction projects.
The successful candidate will be responsible for contract administration, contractual correspondence, claims support, variation management, payment certification, and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations. The candidate must have strong experience working with main contractors on major construction projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and administer main contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, consultancy agreements, and other project-related contractual documents.
- Ensure that all project activities are carried out in accordance with the contract terms, conditions, specifications, and applicable regulations.
- Prepare, review, and issue contractual correspondence, notices, letters, and responses within the required contractual timeframes.
- Maintain a comprehensive contract administration system, including registers for correspondence, variations, claims, notices, bonds, guarantees, and insurances.
- Identify contractual and commercial risks and advise the Contracts Manager and project management team accordingly.
- Support the preparation, submission, and negotiation of variation orders, extension-of-time claims, disruption claims, and additional cost claims.
- Review instructions, design changes, site conditions, and client requirements to identify potential contractual or financial impacts.
- Monitor contractual milestones, completion dates, notice periods, and deliverables.
- Assist in the preparation and review of interim payment applications, final accounts, and subcontractor payment certificates.
- Coordinate with project managers, quantity surveyors, planners, engineers, consultants, clients, and subcontractors on contractual matters.
- Review subcontractor claims, variations, and contractual submissions and provide recommendations.
- Ensure that all verbal instructions are properly documented and formally confirmed through contractual correspondence.
- Support the preparation of delay analysis and entitlement assessments in coordination with the planning and commercial teams.
- Attend commercial, contractual, progress, and claim-related meetings.
- Prepare contractual reports, claim summaries, risk registers, and status updates for senior management.
- Assist in resolving contractual disputes and support negotiations, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation when required.
- Ensure proper contract closeout, including final accounts, release of guarantees, settlement of claims, and completion documentation.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in contract administration within the construction industry.
- Proven experience working with a main contractor on high-rise building and major civil construction projects.
- Strong knowledge of FIDIC and other standard construction contract forms.
- Good understanding of variations, claims, extensions of time, liquidated damages, payment provisions, and dispute-resolution procedures.
- Experience in the UAE or GCC construction market is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with UAE construction laws and contractual practices is an advantage.
- Professional certification such as MRICS, MCIArb, PMP, or equivalent is preferred but not mandatory.
Required Skills
- Strong contract drafting, review, and interpretation skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to prepare clear and professional contractual correspondence.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Good commercial awareness and attention to detail.
- Ability to identify contractual risks and protect the company's interests.
- Strong organizational and document-control skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract or document-management systems.
- Excellent command of English;
