Contract Manager – EPC Projects, KSA

About the role

Veolia Water Technologies, Saudi Arabia, is looking for a Contract Manager for its EPC projects in Dammam. The role leads the contractual and commercial strategy of the project, advises the Head of Special Projects / Project Director, and acts as the main contractual point of contact with the Client and consortium partners.

Key responsibilities

• Own the project's contractual and commercial strategy, advise leadership on risk exposure and entitlement, and anticipate and mitigate contractual and commercial risks.
• Represent the company to the Client's senior leadership and lead negotiations on major variations, claims and disputed positions.
• Coordinate consortium partners on a unified contractual position and represent the project in EPC-Client coordination meetings.
• Oversee contractual correspondence, notices and formal communications, and ensure notice periods, deadlines and approval timelines are tracked and enforced.
• Maintain the contract register and oversee insurance, bonding and guarantee administration.
• Direct the preparation, evaluation and negotiation of Variation Orders and Change Orders, and coordinate with engineering, procurement and construction leadership.
• Own the Variation/Change Order log, and lead EOT and cost claims, including formal dispute resolution or dispute board proceedings.
• Identify contractual risks, ensure compliance with contract terms and local regulations, and manage subcontractor claims and performance issues.
• Lead and mentor Project Managers and Engineers, review key contractual deliverables, and provide reporting on contractual status, claims strategy, variation status and risk exposure.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Law or a related field; a postgraduate qualification in Construction Law or Contract Management is preferred.
• Minimum 10-15 years of contracts management on large-scale EPC/industrial projects, including at least 4-5 years in a senior, Client-facing contractual leadership role, ideally in water treatment, oil & gas or infrastructure.
• Proven track record of negotiating with Client senior leadership and consortium partners, and of preparing and defending significant EOT and cost claims.
• Deep knowledge of international contract forms such as FIDIC Yellow/Silver Book.
• Prior experience managing or mentoring a contracts team is highly desirable; extensive experience in Middle East regulatory and labour environments is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Proficiency in contract management tools and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Executive-level communication and advanced negotiation skills.
• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.