Head of Contract Department

About the Role

• Develop and implement the commercial and procurement strategy aligned with client objectives and project programme. • Lead tender strategy, procurement of major packages (design, MEP, civils, specialist systems), bid evaluation, and commercial award recommendations. • Prepare/approve contract types, commercial terms, and delegated authority matrices in coordination with Legal and Procurement. • Own contract administration procedures: notices, correspondence, approvals, milestone tracking, performance bonds, guarantees and insurance oversight. • Maintain and control master contract register, key dates, warranties and guarantees. • Implement robust change-control processes and ensure timely documentation and approvals for variations and change orders. • Proactively manage claims/variations: capture entitlement, quantify cost/time impacts, prepare claims packages, negotiate settlements and escalate to Legal when required. • Maintain live claims and commercial risk register with mitigation actions and financial exposure reporting. • Lead dispute avoidance strategies and, where necessary, dispute resolution in conjunction with Legal and senior management. • Lead and mentor the Contracts Department (Contract Managers, Claims Specialists, Commercial Analysts) and set clear KPIs, workflows and SLAs. • Manage and hold accountable the lead design consultant(s), sub-design companies and main contracting companies on contractual performance. • Provide direct commercial advice to PD and Client; represent the Client in commercial meetings and negotiations. • Deliver timely commercial forecasting, earned value insights, contract status, open claims, and cashflow impact reports for PD/Client. • Validate payment certificates, retention releases, final accounts and ensure contractual compliance prior to payments. • Liaise with Finance, Procurement, Project Controls and Legal to ensure integrated commercial management. • Monthly/bi-weekly commercial dashboards and executive summaries. • Negotiated settlements, fully documented variations and approved change orders. • Final account bundles and contract close‑out files.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸procurement strategy
• ▸tender management
• ▸contract administration
• ▸change control
• ▸claims management
• ▸commercial reporting

What You Bring

Parsons is seeking a highly experienced Head of Contract Department – Luxury Hospitality Project. The role will lead strategic contracting and procurement, oversee contract administration, manage claims and disputes, and provide commercial advice to the Project Director and client. The successful candidate will bring more than 20 years of commercial and contract experience, preferably in flagship roles within the KSA/GCC, and a proven track record in high‑value claims and procurement on luxury hospitality or complex mixed‑use projects. • Master contract register, change-control log and claims register. • Degree in Law, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Commercial Management or equivalent. Postgraduate qualification (MBA, LLM) is advantageous. • 20+ years commercial/contract experience; preferably 20+ for flagship roles. Significant experience with PMC/client‑side contracting in KSA/GCC. • Proven PMC experience handling procurement and high‑value claims on luxury hospitality or complex mixed‑use projects. • Strong knowledge of contract forms used regionally (FIDIC, NEC, bespoke EPC, local forms) and GCC procurement practices. • Solid negotiation and claims settlement track record with demonstrable avoided/mitigated financial exposure. • Experience with contract management and document systems (Aconex/Procore or equivalent) and integration with project controls/ERP. • Excellent English; Arabic advantageous. Professional certifications (FCIArb, RICS, PMI, ICMS) are a plus. • Client‑first orientation with high commercial integrity. • Strong negotiator and persuasive communicator; able to present to senior executives and boards. • Resilient, calm in disputes, and decisive with a solution focus. • Cultural sensitivity and experience managing multi‑national teams and consultants in the GCC.

Requirements

• ▸20+ years
• ▸pmc
• ▸aconex
• ▸fidic
• ▸mba
• ▸rics

Work Environment

Office Full-Time