Senior Contract Manager

We are seeking an experienced professional to manage and oversee the prequalification, bidding, contract administration, and commercial negotiation processes within a construction company. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the company’s eligibility for upcoming projects, coordinating tender submissions, administering contracts, and leading commercial negotiations to optimize project outcomes. This role requires strong collaboration across multiple departments to maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation, support project execution, and enhance the company’s competitive position in the construction industry.

Key Responsibilities

Prequalification Management:
Manage the company’s prequalification and registration processes with clients, consultants, government bodies, developers, and project owners to secure upcoming construction opportunities. Identify relevant prequalification opportunities aligned with the company’s capabilities and specialization. Review eligibility criteria, scope of work, qualification requirements, and submission deadlines. Coordinate the preparation and timely submission of prequalification applications, expressions of interest (EOI), company profiles, capability statements, and supporting documents. Maintain comprehensive records of the company’s technical experience, financial capacity, manpower, equipment, certifications, and organizational structure. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Finance, HR, Procurement, Planning, and Project teams to validate required information. Ensure all credentials and supporting documents are current and accurate. Prepare checklists and compliance matrices to meet client requirements before submission. Maintain a centralized database tracking registration status, expiry dates, submission history, and upcoming opportunities. Monitor the status of applications and manage follow-up communications. Oversee the prequalification of subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist contractors, evaluating their technical and financial capabilities and preparing evaluation reports for management approval. Continuously update the company’s credentials to strengthen future bidding readiness.

Bidding & Tender Management:
Coordinate the company’s EOI, RFQ, RFP, and tendering activities for construction projects. Review tender documents including scope, drawings, specifications, BOQs, contract conditions, and employer requirements. Work with Estimation, Planning, Engineering, Procurement, and Project teams to ensure comprehensive and accurate tender submissions. Identify and engage suitable subcontractors and specialist contractors for pricing and execution during the tender phase. Obtain and evaluate subcontractor quotations to incorporate competitive and compliant rates into tender pricing. Manage tender queries, clarifications, deviations, exclusions, and assumptions for management review. Facilitate pre-bid meetings, site visits, and bidder communications with clients and subcontractors. Support technical and commercial bid evaluations, tender comparisons, and management recommendations. Maintain confidentiality and control over tender prices and bid documentation.

Contract Administration:
Draft, review, negotiate, and manage main contracts, subcontracts, purchase/service agreements, and related project contracts. Maintain an updated Contract Register covering all contractual documents, amendments, securities, and milestones. Ensure contracts clearly define scope, specifications, timelines, payment terms, warranties, liquidated damages, variations, claims, and termination clauses. Administer subcontracts and monitor subcontractor compliance with contractual obligations, quality standards, and deliverables. Process variations, additional works, claims, and extensions in coordination with relevant departments. Track subcontractor performance and address delays, quality issues, and defaults with Project and Engineering teams. Keep detailed records of all contract correspondence and documentation. Coordinate with Finance on payments, retentions, advances, and recoveries. Support dispute resolution and ensure proper documentation of outcomes. Manage contract close-out activities including final accounts and release of securities.

Commercial Negotiation:
Lead negotiations with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers on rates, scope, terms, and payment conditions. Negotiate subcontractor rates and commercial terms based on approved scopes, market rates, and project budgets. Evaluate quotations for commercial deviations and cost implications. Negotiate pricing for civil works, specialist services, equipment hire, and materials. Review rate analyses and BOQ pricing to support sound contract awards. Identify cost optimization opportunities and reduce commercial risks. Ensure subcontractor terms align with main contract obligations. Assist management in assessing the commercial impact of contractual decisions, variations, and claims.

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BE/B.Tech)
- Minimum 15 years of relevant experience with reputable construction companies
- Strong knowledge of construction contracts, tendering procedures, bidding processes, and prequalification requirements
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills
- Proficiency in MS Office applications, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

This role offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to the company’s growth by ensuring robust prequalification, competitive tendering, effective contract management, and strategic commercial negotiations.