EPC Projects – Oil & Gas | Saudi Aramco
JOB PURPOSEThe Contract Manager is responsible for the end-to-end contractual and commercial management of the Company's EPC contract(s) with Saudi Aramco, and for the development, tendering, award, and administration of all project subcontracts. The role safeguards the Company's contractual position and entitlements under the prime contract, while leading procurement of construction, engineering, and specialized-service subcontractors from tender through subcontract issuance, execution, and close-out — ensuring subcontract terms are back-to-back with the prime contract and aligned with project schedule, cost, and risk objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Prime Contract Management (Saudi Aramco)
Act as the primary contractual focal point for administration of the EPC contract with Saudi Aramco, ensuring full compliance with the contract terms, General Terms & Conditions, SAEPs/SAESs, and Aramco contracting procedures. Monitor contractual obligations, milestones, notice periods, and entitlements; prepare and issue contractual correspondence and notices to protect the Company's rights (variations, extensions of time, force majeure, and similar matters). Manage the change management process: identify, evaluate, prepare, and negotiate Variation Orders/Change Orders with Saudi Aramco. Lead or support preparation and negotiation of claims and extension-of-time requests, and support dispute avoidance and resolution with the Client. Manage compliance of invoicing, payment milestones, and guarantees/bonds (performance bond, advance payment bond, retention) with contract requirements. Maintain contract registers covering obligations, correspondence, milestones, insurance, bonds/guarantees, and key contractual dates. Coordinate with Legal, Project Controls, Engineering, Construction, HSE, and QA/QC to ensure contractual compliance is embedded across all project disciplines.
B. Subcontract Development, Procurement & Tendering
Develop the project procurement and subcontracting strategy and plan, aligned with the project execution plan, schedule, and budget. Lead the full tendering cycle for all subcontract packages, including: -Scope definition and bid package preparation (ITB, scope of work, technical and commercial terms, draft subcontract) -Subcontractor prequalification -Tender issue, clarifications, and bid receipt -Technical and commercial bid evaluation -Commercial negotiation and award recommendation Prepare and issue subcontract documents (manpower supply, construction, engineering, and specialized services, among others), ensuring terms are back-to-back with the prime EPC contract obligations on HSE, QA/QC, schedule, liquidated damages, insurance, and warranty. Conduct commercial and risk evaluation of bids and negotiate pricing and terms, securing internal approvals in line with the Company's delegation of authority prior to award. Ensure every subcontract includes appropriate protections: performance security, liquidated damages, retention, indemnities, insurance, warranty, termination, and dispute resolution provisions consistent with Company policy and the prime contract.
C. Subcontract Administration & Management
Administer awarded subcontracts through the full project life cycle: mobilization, variation orders, claims, back-charges, extensions of time, invoicing/payment certification, and close-out. Monitor subcontractor performance against contractual obligations (schedule, quality, HSE, manpower) and coordinate corrective actions and formal notices as required. Manage subcontract variations and change orders, ensuring proper valuation, approval, and documentation. Review and certify subcontractor invoices and payment applications against approved timesheets, progress, and contract terms. Manage subcontract close-out, final accounts, retention release, and final documentation for each subcontract. Maintain a live subcontract register/tracker covering status, value, variations, key dates, and performance for all subcontracts.
D. Commercial & Risk Management
Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks across the prime contract and all subcontracts. Provide contractual input to cost forecasts, cash flow, and risk registers in coordination with Project Controls. Ensure compliance with Company governance, delegation of authority, and approval matrices for all procurement and contract decisions. Maintain current knowledge of Saudi Aramco requirements, Saudi labor law, and other local regulatory requirements affecting contracts and subcontracts.
E. Team & Stakeholder Management
Lead and mentor contracts and procurement staff assigned to the project. Liaise directly with Saudi Aramco contracts/proponent representatives, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders (Project Manager, Project Controls, Construction, Engineering, Finance, Legal, HSE). Represent the Company in contractual meetings and negotiations with the Client and with subcontractors.
3. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, Business Administration, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification (MBA, Contracts/Commercial Law, or equivalent) is an advantage. Minimum 10 years of experience in contracts/commercial management within EPC or construction, with experience in the oil & gas sector. Direct experience managing contracts on Saudi Aramco projects is required, with strong working knowledge of Aramco General Terms & Conditions, SAEPs, and Aramco contracting/procurement procedures. Proven experience leading full subcontract tendering cycles, from procurement strategy through bid evaluation to award and subcontract issuance. Demonstrated experience managing subcontracts through execution, including variations, claims, invoicing, and close-out. Strong background in construction contracting and procurement, with working knowledge of FIDIC and/or Saudi Aramco contract forms. Professional certification (e.g., RICS, CIPS, PMP, or equivalent) is preferred.
4. SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Strong contractual and commercial acumen, with close attention to risk and detail. Excellent negotiation skills with Clients, subcontractors, and vendors. Strong drafting skills for contracts, correspondence, and claims. Solid understanding of Saudi labor law and local contracting practices. Effective leadership and cross-functional coordination skills. Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel); familiarity with contract/document management systems. Fluent in English, written and spoken; Arabic is an advantage. High level of integrity and professionalism, particularly regarding anti-bribery and anti-corruption compliance.
5. WORKING CONDITIONSBased at the project site office or Al-Khobar office, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, site mobilization upon engineering stage completion Reports functionally and administratively to the Project Manager.