Deputy Manager – Contracts

The Department Manager – Contracts will oversee the Contracts function within the Engineering Department, managing the entire tendering, bidding, awarding, and contractor evaluation process for new construction as well as repair and maintenance projects. This role ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout all stages—from contractor enlistment and prequalification to bid evaluation, contract award, and administration—following approved standard operating procedures (SOPs). The manager will also support senior management by providing accurate bid analyses and facilitating timely award decisions.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and manage the Contracts function, ensuring transparency and visibility throughout the tender, bidding, award, and contractor evaluation processes.
- Prepare and review tender documents, including instructions to bidders, contract conditions, specifications, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and bid forms in collaboration with Design and Costing teams.
- Oversee tender openings, ensuring the presence of Finance and Audit representatives for process transparency.
- Accurately prepare comparative statements by thoroughly reviewing bids to detect calculation errors, missing rates, or unbalanced bids.
- Review bids and prepare comprehensive Bid Evaluation Reports to assist in awarding decisions.
- Present awarding decision points to the internal committee to maintain transparency and accountability.
- Conduct bid clarification and negotiation meetings with contractors, documenting all outcomes.
- Prepare, review, and issue Letters of Award, work orders, and contract agreements; ensure timely collection and verification of performance securities, bonds, and insurance documents.
- Manage contractor enlistment through the Know Your Contractor (KYC) process in accordance with approved SOPs.
- Oversee contractor prequalification, onboarding, and maintenance of the preferred contractor list, ensuring compliance and transparency.
- Establish and maintain a contractor performance evaluation system, recommending contractors for upgrading, retention, or blacklisting as appropriate.
- Support contract administration activities, including review of contract variations, extension of time requests, claims, and contract closeout, in coordination with Project Management and Costing teams.
- Maintain comprehensive records of all tenders, bids, evaluations, awards, and contracts for audit and management review purposes.
- Lead process improvement initiatives such as tender cycle tracking systems and provide visibility through dashboards.
- Contribute to the development and monitoring of Tender and Contract SOPs to ensure proper implementation.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop Contracts team members.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Line Manager.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BE/BS) from an HEC-recognized university, with registration at the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).
- Sound knowledge of tendering, bidding, and contract award processes specific to construction works.
- Strong understanding of construction contract conditions, including FIDIC and PEC standard forms, contract documentation, and administration.
- Proficiency in bid review, preparation of comparative statements, and identification of arithmetic errors, missing rates, or unbalanced bids.
- Working knowledge of BOQs, rate analysis, market rates, and construction cost trends.
- Familiarity with contractor KYC, prequalification, enlistment, and performance evaluation procedures.
- Good understanding of procurement ethics, transparency, audit, and compliance requirements.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and decision-support skills.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills to coordinate with Costing, Budgeting, Finance, Audit, Project Management, QA/QC, and Regional teams.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with tracking systems or dashboards such as Power BI is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

- Relevant certification in Contract Management is an advantage.
- 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in construction contracts, tendering, procurement, bid evaluation, and contractor management.
- Experience working on building, institutional, or educational construction projects is preferred.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a critical function within the Engineering Department, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of contract management processes while contributing to the successful delivery of construction projects.