About the Role
Kent is seeking a Senior Subcontract Manager to join its team in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. This full-time position is integral to managing complex subcontracting activities for large-scale projects within the energy sector. The role supports Kent's commitment to delivering energy responsibly and its core beliefs.
Role Purpose and Context
The Senior Subcontract Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing subcontract strategies, managing contractual relationships, and mitigating risks. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to significant projects in the energy industry and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement the project Subcontracts Execution Plan (SEP) in alignment with the overall project contracting strategy, schedule, and risk profile.
- Define subcontract packaging strategy, identifying appropriate contract forms (lump sum, reimbursable, unit rate) suited to scope, market conditions, and risk allocation.
- Manage the preparation and issue of Invitations to Tender (ITTs), Requests for Quotation (RFQs), and associated bid documentation.
- Conduct rigorous commercial evaluation of bids, lead clarification meetings, and prepare award recommendations for internal and client approval.
- Negotiate and execute subcontract agreements in line with the prime contract flow-down provisions, company policy, and applicable law.
- Oversee the administration of awarded subcontracts, including progress monitoring, payment certification, variation management, and schedule compliance.
- Manage the subcontractor change order process, evaluating entitlement, pricing, and impact to protect the project commercial position.
- Identify and mitigate subcontract risks; maintain the subcontract risk register and coordinate closely with Project Controls and Legal functions.
- Ensure all correspondence received from subcontractors is reviewed, responded to in a timely manner, and that all replies are contractually sound and protect the company's position, maintaining close liaison with the Commercial Manager for alignment and escalation.
- Ensure subcontractors' compliance with HSE, quality, and contractual obligations, escalating non-conformances as required.
- Proactively manage the early identification, assessment, and resolution of subcontractor claims and disputes.
- Prepare or review substantiation and defence documents in relation to subcontractor time and cost claims.
- Coordinate with Legal, commercial, and project leadership on dispute resolution strategies including mediation, adjudication, or arbitration proceedings.
- Lead the structured close-out of all subcontracts including settlement of final accounts, release of retention, and demobilisation.
- Compile and maintain comprehensive contract records and close-out reports for audit, lessons learned, and post-project review purposes.
- Ensure full compliance with the company's Commercial governance framework, delegation of authority (DOA) matrix, and internal approval procedures.
- Maintain accurate and complete subcontract records using the company's ERP and contract management systems (*, Oracle, or equivalent platform).
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve project-specific subcontracts procedures, templates, and standard forms in alignment with company and client requirements.
- Apply robust change management controls, ensuring all subcontract variations are formally instructed, evaluated, and approved prior to execution.
- Manage the subcontract obligations register, ensuring key milestones, deliverables, insurance certificates, bonds, and warranty obligations are tracked and fulfilled.
- Support internal and external audits related to subcontracting activities, providing documentation and responses as required.
- Act as the primary commercial interface between the project team and subcontractors, fostering professional, collaborative, and commercially sound relationships.
- Liaise closely with the Client (Saudi Aramco, SABIC, or equivalent NOC) on subcontracting strategy, approvals, and compliance, including IKTVA reporting obligations.
- Collaborate with internal project functions – Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Project Controls, Finance, Commercial, Legal, and HSE – to ensure subcontract requirements are aligned with project objectives.
- Provide timely and accurate subcontract commercial reporting to the Project Director, KSA Contracts Director, and senior leadership, including exposure reporting and forecast final cost.
- Engage with the company's Group Procurement, Commercial and Legal teams on risk escalations, framework agreements, and dispute management.
- Represent the company in subcontractor meetings, negotiations, and formal correspondence at a senior level.
- Lead, manage, and mentor a team of subcontracts professionals (Subcontract Engineers, and Administrators) across all project phases, reporting to the Senior Commercial Manager and functionally to the Commercial Director KSA.
- Define team resourcing requirements, working with the KSA Contracts Director and HR to recruit and onboard qualified subcontracts personnel.
- Set clear performance objectives for direct reports, conduct regular performance reviews, and support career development planning.
- Foster a high-performance, collaborative team culture with a strong emphasis on commercial integrity, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
- Provide coaching, on-the-job training, and technical guidance to develop the capability and competence of junior team members.
- Promote knowledge sharing and lessons-learned practice across the subcontracts team and broader project organisation.
- Act as a subject matter expert (SME) within the contracts function, contributing to the wider professional development of the contracting community within the company.
- Ensure adequate succession planning and knowledge transfer for critical subcontracts roles throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure compliance with Project and Kent Procedures and processes.
- Actively participate in HSSE Reporting including Hazard Observations, Safety Interventions & HSSE Inspections.
- Provide support for Bids as requested.
- Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing related results in a cooperative and supportive manner.
- Perform other ad-hoc tasks as needed or directed by management, within the reasonable scope of the employee's skills and capabilities.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Law, Business, or a related discipline. Equivalent professional qualification will be considered.
- Minimum of 15 years of experience in contracts/subcontracts management within the Oil & Gas sector.
- Demonstrable experience of working in KSA, including knowledge of the local regulatory environment, IKTVA requirements, and Saudi Aramco/SABIC contracting frameworks.
- Proven senior-level experience on large-scale EPC projects in the energy, petrochemical, or infrastructure sectors.
- Significant experience in Oil & Gas EPC subcontract management.
- Proven track record on large-scale EPC Subcontracts (typically $5m-$50M).
- Familiarity with Saudi Aramco, SABIC, or equivalent national oil company (NOC) frameworks.
- Preferred Membership of CIPS, RICS, or equivalent professional body.
- Preferred Arabic language skills.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Subcontract Strategy & Pre-Award
- Contract Award & Post-Award Management
- Claims & Dispute Management
- Close-Out & Final Accounts
- System, Procedures & Governance
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Leadership & Development
- Negotiation
- Communication
- Leadership
- Familiarity with FIDIC, NEC, or bespoke EPC subcontract forms
- IKTVA reporting
- HSSE (Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment, and Quality)
- Excellent command of the English language in both oral and written communication.
- Proactive approach, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous learning.
Work Location and Type
This is a full-time position based in Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Employees are expected to observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company, its clients, and the governing authorities of the host country, exhibiting exemplary HSSE behaviour.
