Contracts Manager

Job description / Role

Roles & Responsibilities
In accordance with the industry’s best practices and Keller policies, the Commercial Manager is responsible to assess and control commercial and contractual risk within the ASEAN region, ensuring all contractual documents are adequately protective of Keller and that change management and claims opportunities are maximised to Keller’s advantage.

Pre-Contract Responsibilities:
• Actively engage in the tendering phase, advising on contractual aspects. Review and assess form of contract proposed by intended client, identify unacceptable risks and risks not conforming to Keller’s commercial risk appetite. Draft proposed departures to proposed contract.
• Represent Keller during tender negotiation and resolve departures by negotiation with intended client
• Assist bid leaders with completion of risk and opportunities assessment
• Liaise with bid leaders on commercial and legal strategies for tender. Develops contract strategy based on Keller’s policies.
• Provide feedback on contract risks to bid leaders in order that sufficient contingency can be made for accepted risks. Develops and implements risk mitigation and opportunity plan in consult with Project Manager / Operations Manager.
• Review amended contract prior to execution to confirm its accordance with agreed amendments

Project Execution Responsibilities:
• Produce a “Rights and Obligations Summary” for projects to summarise relevant project risks and provide entitlement guidance to the project team, and actions to protect entitlements
• Attend and provide commercial guidance at project kick-off meetings
• Give procurement support and advice, including in the selection of the relevant subcontract agreement, the negotiation (if necessary) and acceptable terms.
• Provide commercial guidance to project-based staff, including assistance with contract adherence, change management and claims
• Guide the dispute resolution process for any disputes that may arise during project execution (with clients, subcontractors or suppliers)
• Audit commercial performance and contractual compliance
• Manage any external legal engagement required to protect Keller’s interests during and consequent to project execution
• Establish and enforce best practice change management protocols across projects, recovering time and cost as necessary
• Notifies and liaises with commercial and legal leadership (Internal & External) to report major claims and keeps commercial/legal leadership updated of any critical development during project execution
• Ensuring that the information and data are protected as per policies and relevant NDA/confidentiality agreements are in place while sharing of information with other parties
• Verify contract compliance. Assesses success of the contract and determine if there are any lessons learned for future contracting. Document and communicate to all appropriate parties any deficiencies found as part of the closeout process.

General responsibilities:
• Drive commitment to quality
• Understand and become familiar with projects and potential risks within each project
• Work with the Commercial Director, APAC to continually identify opportunities to innovate and improve current commercial practices
• Market Keller to existing and new clients
• Build constructive and co-operative relationships with site and office teams within Keller, and with Keller key clients
• Actively promote co-operation with other Keller companies
• Develop interactive communication and support with key members of group companies
This role will require travel to overseas offices to attend to business meetings and participate in overseas projects.

• University degree in Law, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or Construction Management. Postgraduate qualifications in construction law desirable.
• At least 12 years’ experience in construction contracting, including a minimum of 5 years leadership in commercial/legal functional teams.
• Ability to understand the likelihood and consequence of risk events in a construction project context in order to prioritize risk management
• Ability to proactively influence and educate engineers and supervisors in commercial best practices in construction contracts.
• Clear and definitive communication – written and verbal, accompanied by competent presentation ability.
• Good communication skills for the development of strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze contractual / legal issues and provide solutions through appropriate problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to assess and initiate things independently.
• Sound commercial acumen accompanied by proven negotiation and inter-relationship skills.

About the Company

Keller’s experience in the geotechnical engineering industry is now over 155 years. Currently Keller is the world’s largest independent Ground Engineering Contractor, renowned for providing technically advanced and cost-effective foundation solutions. Our reputation is built on Engineering excellence and a commitment to continual innovation. Our services are used across the construction spectrum in infrastructure, industrial, commercial, residential and environmental projects. As subcontractor specialists in geotechnical engineering, we have established an international and local presence in the Middle East.

Our strong reputation for delivering innovative and cost-effective foundations and ground engineering solutions together within an environment where safety is the number one priority, has made use the reputable company we are today. Working at Keller also means having plenty of opportunity for development. As Keller´s business is very challenging, we need to rely on highly skilled professionals. Thus, we support our employees continuously in their personal and professional development. We offer a wide range of training, coaching and other workshops which cover various competencies, including: Technology, Customer relations, Business efficiency, Leadership, Working methods and Communication skills.