Deputy Manager – Contracts

The Department Manager – Contracts will oversee the entire Contracts function within the Engineering Department, managing the full cycle of tendering, bidding, awarding, and contractor evaluation for new construction as well as repair and maintenance projects at TCF. This role is critical in ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the process, from contractor enlistment and prequalification to bid evaluation, contract award, and administration. The manager will work closely with various teams to provide accurate bid analyses and support timely decision-making in line with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and manage the Contracts function, ensuring transparency and visibility throughout the tender, bidding, award, and contractor evaluation stages.
- 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 participation of Finance and Audit representatives for process transparency.
- Accurately prepare comparative statements by thoroughly reviewing bids to detect calculation errors, missing rates, and 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 fairness.
- Conduct bid clarification and negotiation meetings with contractors, documenting outcomes meticulously.
- Prepare, review, and issue Letters of Award, work orders, and contract agreements while ensuring timely collection and verification of performance securities, bonds, and insurances.
- Manage contractor enlistment through the Know Your Contractor (KYC) process as per 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 based on performance.
- Support contract administration activities, including reviewing contract variations, extension of time requests, claims, and contract closeout in coordination with Project Management and Costing teams.
- Maintain detailed 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 the Contracts team members.
- Perform any additional tasks assigned by the Line Manager.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BE/BS) from an HEC-recognized university, registered with 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, and unbalanced bids.
- Working knowledge of BOQs, rate analysis, market rates, and construction cost trends.
- Familiarity with contractor KYC, prequalification, enlistment, and performance evaluation processes.
- 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 (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, preferably in building, institutional, or educational construction projects.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a critical function within a dynamic engineering environment, contributing to the successful delivery of construction projects through effective contract management and process transparency.