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 critical 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 close collaboration with multiple internal departments and external stakeholders to maintain accurate documentation, compliance, and competitive positioning in the market.

Key Responsibilities

Prequalification Management:
Manage the company’s prequalification and registration processes with clients, consultants, government bodies, developers, and project owners to secure eligibility for construction opportunities. Identify and monitor relevant prequalification notices, review eligibility criteria, scope of work, and submission deadlines. Coordinate preparation and timely submission of prequalification applications, expressions of interest, company profiles, capability statements, and supporting documents. Maintain comprehensive records of the company’s technical experience, financial capacity, organizational structure, manpower, equipment, certifications, and other qualification data. Collaborate with Engineering, Finance, HR, Procurement, Planning, and Project teams to validate and update information. Prepare checklists and compliance matrices to ensure all client requirements are met before submission. Maintain centralized databases tracking registration status, expiry dates, submission history, and approved subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist contractors. Evaluate subcontractors and suppliers based on technical and financial criteria, preparing evaluation reports and recommendations for management approval. Continuously update the company’s credentials to enhance future bidding readiness.

Bidding & Tender Management:
Coordinate and manage EOI, RFQ, RFP, and tendering activities for construction and related works. Review tender documents thoroughly, including scope, drawings, specifications, BOQs, contract conditions, and employer requirements. Work closely with Estimation, Planning, Engineering, Procurement, and Project teams to ensure complete and accurate tender submissions. Identify and engage suitable subcontractors and specialist contractors for pricing and execution during the tender stage. Obtain and evaluate subcontractor quotations to incorporate competitive and compliant rates into tender pricing. Prepare and maintain records of tender queries, clarifications, deviations, and assumptions for management review. Facilitate pre-bid meetings, site visits, and bidder communications. Support technical and commercial bid evaluations, tender comparisons, and management recommendations while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.

Contract Administration:
Draft, review, negotiate, and administer main contracts, subcontracts, purchase/service agreements, and other project-related 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. Monitor subcontractor compliance with contractual obligations and coordinate with relevant teams on performance issues, delays, and quality concerns. Process variations, claims, and contractual changes in collaboration with departments. Maintain thorough records of contract correspondence, guarantees, claims, and close-out documentation. Coordinate with Finance on subcontractor payments, retentions, advances, and recoveries. Support dispute resolution and ensure proper documentation of decisions. 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 terms based on approved scope, market rates, and project budgets. Evaluate quotations for commercial deviations and cost implications. Review rate analyses and BOQ pricing to support sound contract awards. Identify opportunities for cost optimization, value improvement, and risk reduction. Ensure negotiated terms align with the company’s main contract obligations. Assist management in assessing the commercial impact of contractual decisions, variations, claims, and subcontractor proposals.

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BE/B.Tech Civil)
- 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 project acquisition and execution success by leveraging extensive industry experience and strong coordination skills.