We are seeking an experienced Contracts Lead to provide owner-side contract management and commercial advisory support for one of our projects in Saudi Arabia. The Contracts Advisor will support the Client in the development, tendering, evaluation, award, and administration of contracts while ensuring commercial integrity, contractual compliance, and effective risk management throughout the project lifecycle.
Duration: 5 Months (with potential extension based on business requirements and project needs)
Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara - a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies. www.woodgroup.com
Diversity Statement We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.
Responsibilities:
Contract Strategy & Procurement Support
- Support the development and implementation of project contracting strategies aligned with project objectives.
- Prepare and review tendering and contract documentation, including scopes of work, commercial terms, and bid evaluation criteria.
- Participate in contractor prequalification, tender evaluation, commercial assessment, and contract award recommendations.
- Support commercial negotiations with contractors and service providers on behalf of the Client.
Contract Administration & Advisory
- Provide contractual guidance to project management and functional teams throughout contract execution.
- Monitor contractor compliance with contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and performance requirements.
- Review and assess contract amendments, variation orders, change requests, and commercial proposals.
- Ensure contractual records, correspondence, and documentation are maintained in accordance with project procedures.
Commercial & Risk Management
- Identify and assess contractual and commercial risks and provide mitigation recommendations.
- Support cost control, forecasting, and commercial reporting activities.
- Review contractor payment applications and provide recommendations to the Client.
- Assist in managing commercial exposure and protecting the Client's interests.
Claims Management & Dispute Avoidance
- Review and evaluate contractor claims, compensation events, and extension of time requests.
- Provide contractual interpretations and recommendations to support decision-making.
- Assist in the preparation of contractual correspondence and responses.
- Support dispute avoidance and resolution efforts through proactive contract management.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with Client representatives, engineering teams, project controls, procurement, legal, and construction personnel.
- Provide contract and commercial advice to project stakeholders.
- Facilitate alignment between project objectives and contractual obligations.
- Participate in project reviews, risk workshops, and commercial meetings.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with project governance requirements, company procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Promote best practices in contract management and commercial administration.
- Support audits, lessons learned activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 15+ years of contract management and commercial experience in the oil & gas, energy, or petrochemical sectors.
- Proven experience supporting major capital projects from an owner/operator, PMC, or EPCM environment.
- Experience in unconventional gas, upstream oil & gas, shale gas, tight gas, drilling, completions, or gas processing projects.
- Experience managing or advising on EPC, EPCM, drilling, well services, infrastructure, and construction contracts.
- Middle East experience, particularly Saudi Arabia, is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with Saudi Aramco project delivery and contracting practices is advantageous
- Bchelor's Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Professional certifications such as CIPS, MRICS, CCM, PMP, or equivalent are advantageous
