Lead Contracts Engineer – Offshore Island Project

Title:

Job Title: Lead Contracts Engineer - Offshore Island Project

KBR Abu Dhabi PMC Team is currently looking to fill a position of Lead Contracts Engineer for an Offshore Island Project to be based in UAE ( Abu Dhabi) as soon as the administrative processes are completed, will then relocate to Spain Office and then return to Abu Dhabi.

Key Responsibilities

Job Purpose

The Lead Contracts Engineer is responsible for managing all contractual and commercial aspects of a major offshore island development project. The role ensures that contracts are administered effectively throughout the project lifecycle, protecting the company's commercial interests while maintaining compliance with contractual obligations, project requirements, and applicable regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management

• Lead the administration of EPC, EPCM, construction, marine, dredging, reclamation, infrastructure, and service contracts.
• Review, interpret, and advise project teams on contractual rights, obligations, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with contract terms, project procedures, and company policies.
• Develop and maintain contract management plans and contract registers.
• Support contract negotiations, amendments, variations, and close-out activities.

Claims & Change Management

• Manage variation orders, change requests, and contractual correspondence.
• Assess contractor claims related to extensions of time (EOT), disruption, acceleration, and additional costs.
• Prepare entitlement assessments and commercial recommendations.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution strategies.
• Maintain comprehensive contractual records to support claims and defense positions.

Commercial Support

• Work closely with project controls, procurement, engineering, construction, and legal teams.
• Evaluate commercial impacts of project changes and emerging risks.
• Participate in tender evaluations and contract award recommendations.
• Monitor contractor performance against contractual milestones and deliverables.
• Review payment applications and commercial submissions.

Risk Management

• Identify, analyze, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks.
• Develop risk registers and recommend proactive mitigation measures.
• Ensure adherence to project governance and contractual compliance requirements.

Stakeholder Management

• Interface with clients, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and joint venture partners.
• Lead contractual meetings and commercial discussions.
• Provide contractual guidance to project leadership and stakeholders.

Reporting

• Prepare periodic commercial and contract status reports.
• Provide management with updates on claims, disputes, variations, and commercial exposure.
• Support audits and management reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering is a MUST
• Master's degree or MBA is advantageous.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, MCIPS, CCM, PMP, or equivalent are preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 18+ years of contract management experience in major infrastructure, marine, offshore, energy, or oil & gas projects.
• Proven experience with offshore island developments, dredging, reclamation, marine works, ports, or large-scale civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong background in EPC/EPCM and construction contracts.
• Experience managing complex claims and dispute resolution processes.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of FIDIC, NEC, EPC, and bespoke contract forms.
• Expertise in contract administration, commercial management, and change management.
• Strong understanding of project controls, planning, and cost management principles.
• Proficiency in contract management systems and Microsoft Office applications.