About this role
Role Summary
The PMC Contracts Manager serves as the project's principal commercial and contractual authority at site, responsible for protecting the Owner's interests while maintaining commercially effective relationships with EPC contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders. In an Indonesian RKEF smelter expansion project with a predominantly Chinese EPC and supply chain ecosystem, the role combines contract administration, claims management, change control, commercial risk management, and cross-cultural stakeholder engagement to ensure successful project delivery with minimized contractual and financial exposure.
Role Purpose
The Contracts Manager is the senior PMC commercial and contract management representative at site and is responsible for protecting the Owner's contractual and commercial interests through the management, administration, monitoring, and interpretation of EPC and major supply contracts associated with the expansion of an operating RKEF nickel smelter in Indonesia.
Operating independently from both the Owner and the EPC Contractor, the Contracts Manager provides contract governance, commercial oversight, claims management, change management, dispute avoidance, and contractual risk management throughout project execution.
A significant aspect of the role involves managing a project environment where the EPC contractor, key equipment suppliers, subcontractors, and much of the supply chain are expected to be Chinese organizations. The role therefore requires strong experience with Chinese EPC contractors, international contract administration, cross-cultural negotiations, supply chain coordination, and managing execution risks associated with overseas procurement and fabrication.
The Contracts Manager acts as the PMC's principal advisor on contractual matters and works closely with project leadership to proactively manage commercial exposure while maintaining productive working relationships with all stakeholders.
Key Accountabilities
The Contracts Manager is accountable for:
Administration of EPC and major project contracts.Protection of Owner contractual entitlements.Management of changes, variations, and claims.Contractual risk identification and mitigation.Commercial oversight of EPC contractor performance.Timely evaluation of contractor submissions.Prevention and resolution of disputes.Coordination between project controls and commercial functions.Commercial support during commissioning and closeout.Accurate contractual reporting to PMC and Owner leadership.Principal Responsibilities
1. Contract Administration and Governance
Lead all PMC contract administration activities at site.Implement contract management procedures and controls.Ensure contractual obligations are clearly understood by project stakeholders.Develop and maintain contract administration plans.Monitor compliance with contractual requirements.Maintain contract correspondence and communication protocols.Ensure appropriate governance is applied to all commercial matters.Advise project management on potential contractual exposures.Typical contracts may include:
EPC contractsTechnology licensing agreementsMajor equipment supply agreementsConstruction subcontract agreementsLogistics contractsOwner-supplied equipment contractsCommissioning support agreements2. EPC Contract Management
Act as the PMC focal point for EPC contract administration.
Responsibilities include:
Monitor EPC contractor compliance with contractual obligations.Review contractor performance against contractual milestones.Assess notices, submissions, and contractual correspondence.Monitor contractor obligations relating to:ScheduleCostQualityHSEReportingWarrantiesPerformance guaranteesAdvise the Owner and Project Director on contractual remedies where appropriate.Maintain comprehensive contract records.Particular attention shall be given to:
Contractor delaysProductivity shortfallsPerformance guarantee achievementInterface management obligationsCommissioning obligationsDefect correction responsibilities3. Change Management and Variations
Lead commercial assessment of project changes and variations.
Responsibilities include:
Establish and maintain change management systems.Review contractor variation requests.Assess contractual entitlement.Review cost and schedule impacts.Coordinate technical and commercial evaluations.Prepare recommendations for approval or rejection.Maintain variation registers.Monitor cumulative impact of changes on project objectives.Particular focus areas include:
Brownfield scope additionsUtility tie-insOperational constraintsDesign development changesRegulatory changesSite conditionsOwner-directed changes4. Claims Management
A major responsibility of the role.
Responsibilities include:
Develop and implement project claims management strategy.Review contractor notices and claims.Assess contractual entitlement and merits.Coordinate factual, technical, and commercial evaluations.Prepare entitlement analyses.Manage contractor delay and disruption claims.Support commercial negotiations.Develop claim defence strategies where required.Maintain detailed claims registers.Typical claims may involve:
Delays to accessUtility outagesBrownfield interface constraintsProductivity lossesScope growthDesign changesForce majeure eventsLogistics delaysRegulatory changes5. Chinese EPC Contractor and Supply Chain Management
Given the anticipated project delivery model, experience working with Chinese EPC contractors is essential.
Responsibilities include:
Facilitate effective contractual engagement with Chinese contractor leadership.Monitor compliance of offshore procurement activities.Support resolution of commercial issues involving Chinese suppliers.Review impacts arising from international logistics and supply chain constraints.Assess issues related to:Factory acceptance testingManufacturing delaysExport documentationShipping and customs clearanceEquipment quality concernsVendor support obligationsBridge cultural and contractual differences between stakeholders.Promote early identification and resolution of disputes.Preferred experience includes Chinese EPC contractors such as:
China ENFIMCCNFCCINFMinmetalsCNCECWISDRICISDISinosteelOther major metallurgical EPC organizations6. Commercial Risk Management
Identify and monitor commercial and contractual risks.Maintain contract risk registers.Assess financial impacts of emerging issues.Recommend risk mitigation strategies.Coordinate with Project Controls regarding schedule and cost risks.Evaluate exposure associated with delay and disruption events.Support contingency assessments.Key risks include:
Late equipment deliveryFabrication delays in ChinaCustoms and importation issuesContractor underperformanceBrownfield access constraintsShutdown overrunsSchedule slippagePerformance guarantee failures7. Payment Certification and Commercial Validation
Support commercial governance related to contractor payments.
Responsibilities include:
Review contractor payment applications.Verify contractual compliance.Coordinate with Quantity Surveying and Project Controls teams.Validate progress claims.Review supporting documentation.Recommend certification or adjustment of payments.Monitor retention and security instruments.Ensure commercial accuracy and auditability.8. Brownfield Commercial Management
The project involves expansion of an operating facility requiring extensive interface management.
Responsibilities include:
Assess commercial implications of operational restrictions.Monitor shutdown-related contractual obligations.Evaluate impacts arising from access limitations.Manage claims associated with SIMOPS activities.Review entitlement related to operational delays.Support development of mitigation strategies that reduce commercial exposure.9. Contractual Correspondence Management
Draft and review contractual notices.Prepare formal responses to contractor correspondence.Maintain contractual communication records.Ensure notice provisions are properly administered.Protect contractual rights through timely communications.Support executive-level commercial correspondence.10. Dispute Avoidance and Resolution
Promote proactive management of contractual issues.Facilitate negotiation and settlement discussions.Develop commercial settlement strategies.Support mediation, expert determination, or arbitration processes where required.Manage documentation necessary for dispute resolution.The primary objective is to avoid disputes through early intervention and commercial problem-solving.
11. Commissioning and Close-Out Support
Support commercial management through project completion.
Responsibilities include:
Monitor contractual completion obligations.Manage performance testing requirements.Track warranty obligations.Monitor defect correction responsibilities.Ensure contract close-out requirements are fulfilled.Support final account negotiations.Coordinate contract records for project handover.RKEF and Brownfield-Specific Experience
The successful candidate should understand the commercial and contractual challenges associated with:
Process FacilitiesRotary KilnsElectric FurnacesElectrode SystemsFurnace TransformersOre Drying SystemsSlag Handling SystemsFerronickel/NPI Production FacilitiesBrownfield EnvironmentShutdown planningSIMOPS executionUtility tie-insAccess restrictionsOperational interface managementProduction continuity requirementsSupply Chain ChallengesLong-lead equipment procurementOverseas fabricationChinese manufacturing supply chainsLogistics and shippingCustoms clearanceSite delivery constraints Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Law, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.Preferred Professional Qualifications
MRICSFRICSMCIPSMSc Construction LawDiploma in Construction LawCertified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM)AACE CertificationProfessional legal qualification advantageousExperience
Minimum 15 years of contract management experience on major capital projects.Minimum 8 years in a senior Contracts Manager, Commercial Manager, or Contract Administration Manager role.Extensive EPC contract management experience.Experience with major industrial projects in mining, metals, smelting, refinery, energy, or oil & gas sectors.Demonstrated experience on brownfield projects.Direct experience working with Chinese EPC contractors and supply chains.Experience with FIDIC, EPC Lump Sum Turnkey, EPCM, or hybrid delivery models.Previous PMC, Owner's Engineer, or independent engineer experience preferred.Indonesian and Southeast Asian project experience highly desirable.Technical Competencies
Contract Administration
EPC contract managementFIDIC contract administrationClaims managementChange managementDispute resolutionContract interpretationCommercial Management
Commercial negotiationsFinal account settlementCost impact assessmentCommercial risk analysisPayment certificationProject Delivery
Construction executionBrownfield projectsCommissioning supportSupply chain managementInternational procurementLeadership Competencies
Commercial judgementNegotiation and influencingStrategic thinkingCross-cultural communicationRelationship managementConflict resolutionAttention to detailProfessional integrityKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Contract Management
Timely administration of contractual obligations.Effective management of notices and correspondence.Contract compliance maintained.Claims and Variations
Timely assessment of variation requests.Reduction in unresolved claims.Successful commercial resolutions achieved.Commercial Risk
Early identification of contractual risks.Effective mitigation of commercial exposure.Accurate risk reporting.Cost Protection
Prevention of unjustified claims.Protection of Owner entitlements.Effective management of variations.Stakeholder Management
Productive engagement with EPC contractor.Positive feedback from PMC and Owner leadership.Effective management of Chinese EPC contractor interfaces.Project Close-Out
Successful final account settlement.Warranty obligations managed.Efficient contract close-out. Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
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