Contract Manager - UK EPC Project

Location: Staffordshire (Stone office), UK

Reporting Line: Local Business Unit Manager and Contract Management Hub.

We combine ABB’s deep technological knowledge and SNC-Lavalin’s project management expertise to create a company dedicated to substations – we are Linxon.

Linxon is a joint venture company set up by SNC-Lavalin and ABB to turnkey electrical AC substation projects. Linxon will undertake turnkey electrical alternating current substation projects related to renewable and conventional power generation, power transmission and transportation solutions. Turnkey solutions will include project design, engineering, procurement, construction, management, commissioning and after-sales support.

We are looking for an experienced contract manager with an independent and solution-oriented working style, as well as strong communicative and collaborative skills. While you have superior attention to details, structure and organizational skills, you are able to apply a larger, systemic view to projects. You independently take initiative, make decisions and drive projects to conclusion. In addition, you are not afraid to push back and hold others accountable as needed, while your high degree of inter-cultural sensitivity and integrity enable you to lead by influence and maintain strong relationships. You have a business-driven, pragmatic mindset and you understand that good results are achieved in cooperation with management, sales teams and internal and external experts. 

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate hands on contractual knowledge skills (for EPC contracts) during the selection process. The ideal candidate will have a university degree in Quantity Surveying, Business Administration, Law or an equivalent, plus extensive experience related to EPC project contracts, preferably in the energy industry. Experience with projects of different size and complexity and contractual types in the EMEA region, as well as knowledge of FIDIC (yellow book), NEC3 and similar bespoke contracts are necessary. 

In addition, candidates are expected to possess all or several of the following:

• Experience of contract law, contract drafting, administration and negotiation of change orders, and effective correspondence.

• Ability to interface with customers on issues ranging from administration of the contract to all matters relating to the review and process of changes.

• Ability to evaluate the legitimacy of a claim as well as understand and interpret the main contract provisions by challenging costs, and how these affect scope and schedule.

• Provides contractual advice and support to the project team on an EPC substation project (s) in the UK, (dealing directly with major clients such as National Grid and EDF), especially guidance to the project manager and the supply chain management on contractual issues.

• Provides contractual support and leadership on incoming and outgoing claims. Establishes and enforces standard change methodologies in portfolio of contracts to identify changes and quantify the additional time and compensation due to LINXON per the contract, defines approval requirements and communicates changes to the customer. Enforces and defends LINXON's contractual interests against customers and suppliers during the whole of a project lifecycle, including monitoring and assessment of changes and deviations, as well as defending and enforcing claims. In concert with Legal, develops the negotiation strategy and supports negotiations. Supports Legal in handling formal dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration. Notifies and liaises with Legal to report major claims and keeps Legal updated of any critical development during project execution.

• Supports project management during monthly project review meetings with regards to preparation and presentation of claims and variation logs.

• Contract portfolio -governance. Ensures the portfolio of contracts in the business, follows contract and claim management methodologies in accordance with internal standard procedures.

• Contract execution (from project kick-off to project closure) Identifies the contract baseline (including terms and conditions, specifications, drawings, estimate, proposal, schedule and other documents incorporated in the contract) and highlights areas of potential risk. Ensures timely and accurate execution of commercial aspects in portfolio of contracts (i.e. payments, claims, variation orders, warranties, provisions, guarantees, etc.).

• Contract closure. Verifies that both parties to the contract have fulfilled their contractual obligations and there are no responsibilities outstanding. Assesses success of the contract and determines if there are any lessons learned for future contracting. Documents and communicates to all appropriate parties any deficiencies found as part of the closeout process.

• Purchasing. Supports drafting of Purchase Orders, Contracts and Subcontracts and ensures that relevant (sub) contracts contain appropriate contract terms to protect LINXON’s interest, including flow-down of main contract terms.

• Tender preparation and negotiations. Reviews and comments on commercial and technical tender terms and conditions. Develops contract strategy based on LINXON’s policies, customer requirements, and the overall execution strategy taking into account risk, pricing, scope, and schedule.

• Risk management Analyses contract terms to highlight areas of potential opportunity and risk, such as ambiguities, omissions and conflicts, as work proceeds. Seeks advice from Legal to draft, negotiate and finalize agreements during the Sales and Project Execution phases. Develops and implements risk mitigation and opportunity plan in concert with Global Project Operations.

• Insurance. Ensures contract insurance provisions are adhered to and coordinates with Insurance Risk Management regarding occurrences that may be covered by customer or LINXON provided insurance.

• Export controls. Seeks advice from Legal (Export Control) to ensure accurate handling of all export control matters and ensures close review of all contracts and projects with regards to restrictions on exports, considering countries, customers or products involved and the respective laws and LINXON regulations.

• Internal Training. Implements training sessions within the project team as necessary, to improve contract awareness and contract compliance throughout the team.