Contract Specialist

Job Purpose

The Contracts Specialist shall satisfactorily protect the contractual and commercial interests of the company in respect of all its activities and transactions, ensuring that all company policies and procedures are adhered to. The Contracts

Specialist shall protect the company's commercial and contractual position while maximizing return and minimizing risks, and shall work in both the commercial (tenders and contract negotiation) and projects (contract management) areas of

the business.

Job Description

Project

• Act as a key integral member of the project team and participate in commercial strategic discussions and decisions to ensure that contracts risks are identified, properly evaluated and mitigated.
• Provide the project (including team work onshore and offshore) with accurate summaries of contract related matters including contract synopsis, contract review, contract obligations matrix and guidance on contract requirements.
• Advise the project team on aspects of Project execution which deviate from contract requirement.
• Responsible for preparation/review of all relevant contractual correspondence exchanged during project execution to and from the Client, partners, subcontractors and authorities.
• Ensure regular reporting as required, including review of client reporting.
• Assumes overall responsibility for all contractual and commercial issues related to management of change, including ensuring claims are issued within the timeframes set out in the Contract, receiving all required internal approvals: prepare, interfacing with involved functions, and negotiate any claims against client, joint-venture partners and subcontractors.
• Coordinate the necessity of additional insurances in conjunction with other functions within Legal and with Insurance where applicable. Ensure that the required insurance coverage is put in place in a timely manner and that required insurance certificates are provided/obtained from vendors, subcontractors and joint-venture partners.
• Prepare, pursue and lead the process on all claims (excluding litigation) related to the project, including Construction All Risk (CAR) insurance claims. Prepare and review proposals to instigate formal dispute resolution.
• Assist the project manager/director whenever a loss and/or damage falling under an insurance program occurs.
• Assist Subsea Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) to address contract, legal, commercial and insurance issues related to subcontractors or major suppliers.
• Issue client notices.
• Manages completions/handover/milestones/payment certificates in accordance with the contract.
• Interface with key stakeholders in the business.Interface with the Tax function to assess and quantify tax liabilities.
• Administration of bank bonds, parent company guarantees and insurance certificates.

Commercial

• Commercial work involves both Subsea and Surface work, GSP support and review of Confidentiality Agreements.
• Perform detailed legal review in connection with Invitation to Tenders/Request for Quotations/Direct Negotiations and prepare qualifications as required to properly manage risks and comply with the company's contracting principles, guidelines, and approval processes.  
• Liaise and obtain advice or quality check by operating units and/or functional expertise, e.g., corporate, compliance, litigation, tax, finance etc.  
• Assist in negotiations with customers, joint venture partners and subcontractors. 
• Provide input on contractual and commercial risks identified, and possible mitigations to ensure this is considered in Tender evaluation.  
• Liaise with and present to internal Management with regards to approval process.
• Following award of a contract, prepare a summary of the main contractual principles set out in the contract.  
• Provide guidance on required “flowdowns” to Subcontractors 
• Participate in final review of all contractual and commercial documents prior to contract signature. 
• Assist hand-over to Project team for execution. 

You are meant for this job if:

Must have:

• REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/FORMAL EDUCATION:
  • Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in pertinent discipline preferred (Law, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or Business Management preferably)

• REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrable experience managing, tendering, award and post-award contract activities
• Experience managing demanding contracts throughout the Contract Lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of contract law and commercial principles

• REQUIRED INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
  • Strong organisational skills
  • Consistently maintains a high level of professionalism in all interactions.
  • Works proactively with minimal supervision, taking ownership of responsibilities and following tasks through to completion
  • Able to analyse information, evaluate options, and make sound, evidence‑based decisions in a timely manner.
  • Understands the implications of decisions and exercises good judgement, knowing when to escalate matters where appropriate
  • Attention to detail and ability to identify risks and opportunities
  • Strong problem-solving ability, with the ability to develop practical solutions to complex issues
  • Proactive approach
  • Build, maintain and manage close relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Confidence in engaging with technical, commercial and support functions, building effective working relationships.
  • Understand inter-disciplinary relations and requirements
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills
  • High level of integrity and ethics

• REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS AND/OR PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS:
  • Ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Adaptable and flexible with a proven ability to adjust to changing priorities, processes, and business needs
  • Strong negotiation skills and experience
  • High standard of written and spoken English.
  • PC skills with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, project, and presentation software

Nice to have: 

• Additional language skills.
• Experience in offshore / subsea related industrial environment.

Skills