Senior Contracts Manager

About KEO Group

KEO Group is an integrated AEP/PMCM firm recognized by ENR as one of the Top 225 International Design Firms and one of the Top 20 International PM/CM Firms. The company is also ranked by World Architecture as the 51st largest global architecture firm and the #1 Firm in the Middle East Region in their 2024 WA100 Survey. KEO has over 60 years of experience in planning, design, and project delivery in the built and natural environments.

The Opportunity: Senior Contracts Manager

KEO Group is seeking a highly experienced Senior Contracts Manager to join its site supervision team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves leading and managing all commercial, contractual, and financial aspects of enabling and early works packages on behalf of the Client, as part of the Site Supervision Consultant team. The position focuses on contract administration, commercial governance, cost control, change management, and claims management, ensuring the Client’s commercial position is protected while supporting timely and compliant project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract administration for enabling and early works packages, including mass earthworks, stockpile removal, construction haul roads, utilities, and temporary works.
• Administer contracts in accordance with Conditions of Contract (including FIDIC-based forms), ensuring compliance with notice provisions, procedures, and time bars.
• Manage contractual correspondence, notices, early warnings, claims, and determinations in coordination with the Engineer.
• Provide contractual and commercial advice to the Client and supervision team on entitlements, risks, mitigation strategies, and commercial exposure.
• Support procurement strategies, tender evaluations, commercial comparisons, and recommendations for contract award or amendment.
• Monitor, control, and report project budgets, cost forecasts, commitments, and cash flow for early works packages.
• Review, assess, and recommend certification of interim payment applications, dayworks, and final accounts.
• Manage change control processes, including valuation of variations, compensation events, and instructed changes.
• Lead the assessment and management of contractor claims, including extensions of time, prolongation, disruption, and acceleration claims.
• Maintain and update contract risk registers, proactively identifying and managing commercial and contractual risks.
• Support dispute avoidance strategies through timely administration, accurate records, and commercial negotiation.
• Coordinate with legal advisors and external consultants on contractual or dispute-related matters as required.
• Act as the primary commercial interface between the Client, Engineer, contractors, and other consultants.
• Lead, manage, and mentor commercial and quantity surveying team members within the supervision team.
• Participate in commercial meetings, negotiations, and high-level project reviews with the Client and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with governance procedures, audit requirements, and best-practice commercial controls.
• Prepare commercial reports, recommendations, determinations, and contractual correspondence for Client approval.
• Maintain accurate and auditable records of contracts, variations, claims, payments, and financial status.
• Support audits, reviews, and compliance checks undertaken by the Client or regulatory bodies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Law, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in contracts and commercial management on large-scale construction or infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience managing enabling works, early works, or infrastructure-led developments.
• Extensive experience administering FIDIC-based contracts on behalf of a Client or Engineer.
• Demonstrated capability managing contractor claims, variations, and commercial risk on fast-track programs.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, commercial governance, and cost control systems.
• High level of competence in claims assessment, entitlement analysis, and commercial negotiations.
• Ability to manage complex interfaces and commercial risk across multiple work fronts.
• Clear, structured communicator with strong written contractual drafting skills.
• Professional membership with a recognized commercial or quantity surveying institution is preferred.
• Experience operating within a supervision consultant or Engineer-led environment is advantageous.

Work Environment and Benefits

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and requires an immediate start. KEO Group fosters a supportive environment that promotes professional development through internal global mobility and career development. The company supports employee health and well-being through on-demand counseling services and regular workplace clinics. Employees can participate in community events such as sports days, fun-runs, in-house sports teams, and beach clean-ups. In addition to a competitive package and benefits, KEO offers policies that include hybrid working arrangements, individual athletic sponsorship, study assistance sponsorship, and employee referral rewards.

Application Process

KEO Group values integrity, results, innovation, safety, and its people, embracing diversity to contribute to client success. All expressions of interest will be treated confidentially.