Administrator

Job Overview

Khatib & Alami is seeking a Contract Administrator to join its Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves administering a complex portfolio of contracts, specifically the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Construction (Red Book), FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Plant & Design-Build (Yellow Book), and Lead Design Consultant Service Agreements. The successful candidate will manage contractual relationships between the Employer, Construction Contractors, and Design Consultants, ensuring compliance, mitigating interface risks, and facilitating project execution across design and construction phases.

Role Summary

Reporting directly to the Project Manager, the Contract Administrator will serve as key personnel from the PMC, acting as The Engineer or Employer’s Representative. This position is responsible for managing the commercial and contractual obligations of multiple parties. The role requires navigating the distinct risk profiles of standard construction (Red Book remeasurement and Employer-led design), Contractor-led design-build (Yellow Book lumpsum and fitness-for-purpose), and professional services (Consultant standard of care and design deliverables). The Contract Administrator will safeguard the Employer’s interests through rigorous notice management, claim evaluation, change control, and interface management between design and construction teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer contracts in strict accordance with FIDIC Red Book, FIDIC Yellow Book, Lead Design Consultant Agreements, and applicable laws.
• Interpret diverse contract terms, conditions, specifications, and scope boundaries for the PMC team and Employer.
• Ensure all parties comply with their respective contractual obligations and procedural timelines.
• Manage contractual boundaries and liability hand-offs between the Lead Design Consultant and Construction Contractors, particularly regarding design coordination, clarifications, and construction-phase design support.
• Monitor the "Review Period" for Contractor’s Documents to prevent "deemed approvals."
• Administer remeasurement processes, bill of quantities (BOQ) variations, and manage risks associated with Employer/Consultant-provided design delivery to the Contractor.
• Monitor the Lead Design Consultant’s adherence to deliverable schedules, standard of care obligations, and professional indemnity requirements.
• Maintain meticulous records of all contract correspondence, instructions, variations, and decisions. Draft clear, contractually sound, and objective responses to incoming letters.
• Evaluate Milestone Payment Applications and Interim Payment Certificates against contractual provisions.
• Administer the Variation Procedure across all contracts, evaluating the impact of scope changes. Prepare and coordinate with the Employer to issue Variation Orders.
• Review and assess claims for Extension of Time (EOT) and Additional Payment from Contractors and Consultants. Lead the evaluation process alongside the Employer’s, technical, and PMC teams.
• Draft formal Engineer's Determinations or recommendations. Prepare briefing notes for the Employer regarding potential risks or high-value disputes.
• Prepare Taking-Over Certificates, final account certificates, and performance certificates for Contractors, as well as Services Completion certificates for Consultants. Coordinate with the Project Manager and Employer for issuance.
• Issue defect liability notifications, monitor the Defects Notification Period (DNP), and manage formal closure.
• Manage the administration and validity of Performance Securities, Advance Payment Guarantees, and all required Insurances.
• Coordinate with the technical team to ensure "Employer’s Requirements" are met.
• Prepare detailed recommendations and justification for the Employer's approval.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in contract administration, specifically with FIDIC Conditions of Contract.
• Demonstrated experience with FIDIC Red Book, FIDIC Yellow Book, and Lead Design Consultant Service Agreements.
• Proven ability to manage complex contractual relationships and mitigate risks.

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and operates on a full-time basis within the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team at Khatib & Alami.