Contracts Manager

SUMMARY:
Renewable Energy (Quantity Surveying | Solar & Battery Storage)

POSITION INFO:

The Contracts Manager (QS background) leads end-to-end commercial and contract management for solar PV and BESS projects in a C&I environment, delivered under an integrated model where our client funds projects, builds as EPC, owns assets, and provides O&M. The role develops contracting strategy, leads tendering and negotiations, administers contracts during delivery, governs variations/claims, protects margins and cashflow, and ensures O&M performance obligations and handover requirements are contractually clear, measurable, and enforceable.

Key responsibilities

Contracting strategy aligned to EPC + owner/operator outcomes

• Define contracting and packaging strategy (scope splits, interfaces, risk allocation) aligned to project delivery method and the asset-owner/O&M lifecycle.
• Ensure contract terms support fundability and operational performance obligations (e.g., measurable KPIs, warranties, performance guarantees, LDs), with legal support model (in‑house vs external) unspecified.

Tendering, commercial evaluation, and negotiation

• Lead tender processes for major packages (civil, electrical BOS, PV equipment supply/install, BESS supply/install/integration, EPC subcontract scopes, commissioning services, and O&M where applicable).
• Produce commercial bid evaluations, clarifications, negotiation strategies, and award recommendations; ensure scope completeness and interface clarity to minimize downstream disputes.
• Negotiate payment terms, milestone structures, securities, warranties, performance guarantees, and change mechanisms.

Contract administration (delivery phase)

• Own contract governance: contract registers, correspondence/notice discipline, instructions, meeting minutes, and auditable decision trails (including document-control workflows where used).
• Manage compliance requirements for the chosen contract suite(s) (NEC/FIDIC) including time bars and notification rules where applicable.

Variation, claims, and dispute avoidance

• Implement a disciplined change-control process: identify changes early, quantify time-and-money impacts with Project Controls, price/agree variations, and close out promptly.
• Lead or support claims preparation/defense as required; maintain substantiation (records, notices, contemporaneous correspondence) to reduce disputes.

Commercial cost control and QS deliverables

• Maintain cost reporting across committed cost, accruals, cashflow, cost-to-complete forecasts, and final account projections (finance/reporting toolset unspecified).
• Manage valuations, payment certifications inputs, and commercial closeout processes including final account agreement, retention releases, and settlement processes.

Supplier performance and O&M readiness

• Ensure critical PV and BESS OEM obligations are clearly defined (warranty, defects, performance testing, commissioning acceptance thresholds, battery performance/degradation matters where contractually relevant).
• Ensure handover documentation and warranty commencements are unambiguous and aligned to O&M performance management needs.

Governance and continuous improvement

• Improve templates, playbooks, negotiation levers, lessons learned, and contract risk controls across the portfolio.

Required qualifications and certifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying / Construction Economics / Commercial Management.
• QS professional registration is advantageous
• Formal training in contract management and commercial practice; specific NEC/FIDIC training preferred where relevant.

Experience

• minimum 5 years in QS/commercial/contracts roles in construction energy.
• Required (non-negotiable): prior C&I renewable experience with exposure to:
  • EPC delivery contracting (subcontracts, supply-and-install, multi-package coordination)
  • Funded/owned asset environments (milestone rigor; investor reporting discipline)
  • O&M and asset ownership considerations (handover completeness; measurable operational KPIs)
  • Solar PV and BESS scope familiarity (equipment, commissioning, warranties, performance guarantees)

Technical skills and software

• Advanced Excel (commercial models, variation pricing, cost reporting)
• Contract administration discipline and strong commercial writing