Principal Contracts Specialist

Job Overview:

Reporting to the Project Contracts Manager, the Principal Contracts Specialist will assist in addressing all contractual and commercial issues encountered during the execution phase of large-scale, complex engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) projects.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Assist and ensure the preparation of Pre-Contract Award:
  • Support non legal qualifications to the Contract as part of the bid submission, alignment of terms and conditions with project documentation such as scope, execution strategy, schedule, administration, etc. and identification of any relevant lessons learned from historical projects
  • Support in PROM Activities
  • Support in Customer Contract Negotiations as required
• Assist and ensure the preparation of Post Contract Award:
  • Contract Management Set Up Schedule – 30 Days
  • Project Contract Summary
  • Internal Contracts Kick Off Meeting
  • Prime Contracts Management Plan / Commercial Management Plan / Opportunities (Project Profit Maximization Plan)
  • Project Execution Plans and Functional Procedures
  • Contract Notices and Deliverables Matrix
  • Contract and Commercial Awareness Workshop
  • Contractual Alignment
  • Contract Records Management / Documentation
  • Client Billing
  • Insurance certification
  • Letters of Credit, Bonds, Payment Guarantees, Parent Company Guarantee
  • Flow Down Provisions for Procurement and Subcontract Management
  • Monthly Review Contracts/Commercial Management Plan
  • PMR Attendance/Monthly Project Functional Meetings/ Monthly Legal Meeting
  • Contracts Awareness and Training Monthly Sessions
  • Contract Change Notices
  • Contractual Letters
  • Contract Milestones
  • Contract Schedule Changes
  • Customer Contractual Correspondence
  • Fabrication Progress Reports/Construction Progress Reports/Vessel Progress Reports
  • Project Opportunity and Risk Matrices
  • Close out of Client Billing
  • Close out of Insurance  
• Coordinate:  
  • Coordinate with Contracts Director / Senior Contracts Director on workloads and resources
  • Ensures Contracts & Senior Contracts Specialists coordinate appropriate activities  
• Interface with all functions including but not limited to Project Management, Engineering, SCM, Fabrication, Construction, Marine Installation, Hook Up and Commissioning, Consortium or JV Partner, QHSE, Legal, Finance, Business Line Management, EXCOM, Customer / Client
• Organize and chair Commercial Management meetings and ensure sufficient challenge of growth/change opportunities with Customer for Project Management, Engineering, SCM, Fabrication, Construction, Marine Installation, Hook Up and Commissioning, Consortium or JV Partner, QHSE, Legal, Finance, Business Line Management, EXCOM, Customer / Client
• Development of Lessons Learned for bid submissions and the bid process for wider cascade to the business via the Estimating and Proposals Managers and required close out actions if any
• Support the Project Contracts Manager in the implementation of a project’s contractual / commercial strategy throughout project execution.
• Upon project award, assist the Project Contracts Manager in disseminating contract requirements within the project team.
• Assist Project Contracts Manager in identifying critical or sensitive contractual issues.
• Assist the Project Contracts Manager in developing an effective working relationship with Client team to ensure timely resolution of contractual issues.
• Support the project team to establish the change management process, setting a culture of change identification.
• Lead / participate in change management meetings to identify changes that may result in entitlement for compensation and / or schedule relief.
• Assist Project Contracts Manager with Client negotiations and working towards the timely resolution of change orders and contract amendments.
• Assist in the administration of all contractual correspondence with the Client including the timely release of notification required to ensure McDermott’s contractual rights are preserved.
• Support preparation of project weekly and monthly progress reports for internal and external distribution as per internal and Contract requirements.
• Support the project risk and opportunity management processes.

Job Overview:

• Minimum 7+ years of project execution experience in the energy and / or construction industries. University degree in Law, Engineering, Construction Management, or similar is preferred
• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, legal, Commercial or Quantity Surveying and and 7 years of Contracts Management experience in addition to other functional experience
• Proven experience in contract management within the Engineering Procurement Construction and Installation (EPC/EPCI) industry, in the areas of Energy Transition, Onshore, or Offshore or Subsea and Floating Facilities (FPSO/FPU)
• In-depth knowledge of EPC/EPCI project lifecycles, including design, procurement, construction, and installation phases
• Is able to build rapport with and gains respect from employees with varied experience and background
• Familiarity with industry-specific terminologies, contracts, and standards
• Strong negotiation skills with a focus on achieving mutually beneficial outcomes
• Ability to analyze complex contract requirements and identify potential risks
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders
• Proficient in using contract management software and MS Office Suite
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask, and meet tight deadlines

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