Project Contract Principal

Job Summary & ResponsibilitiesPrimary Purpose
Prior to Execution Stage Scope:
Prior to the project execution stage, as a member of the Owner team, this role supports the negotiation, management and administration of any applicable development stage work including but not limited to LNG FEED agreements, studies, etc. This role also supports the negotiation and execution of the EPC Agreement that will govern the execute stage of the work.
Execution Stage Scope:
During the project execution stage, as a member of the Owner team, this role supports the management and administration of an EPC Agreement (>$5 Billion value) for a large-scale capital project. The EPC governs the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities, and requires diligent oversight to ensure contractual alignment and commercial integrity.
In a supporting leadership capacity, this role reports to and serves as a deputy to the Owner LNG Contract Manager, assisting with EPC agreement oversight, stakeholder engagement, and program-level governance, while not serving as the ultimate decision-maker. Additionally, the role leads a functional team in task allocation, task execution, mentorship, training, oversight of deliverable quality, and timely responsiveness in line with the project's pace. It includes coordinating task allocation and fostering and contributing to a collaborative, accountable team environment.
Success in this role requires the ability to inspire and influence complex teams toward action with an aligned strategy, deep contract administration subject matter expertise in the execute phase of a large scale capital project, collaboration with cross-functional teams working at various locations, and the ability to identify, assess and proactively mitigate risks to protect Owner interests.
The scope of this role includes ensuring adherence to SI's and the Project's standardized plans, procedures, and tools to enable effective and strategic EPC contract administration. In parallel, the role is expected to actively contribute to the continuous improvement of these frameworks identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, clarity, and alignment with evolving project needs.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide ad-hoc expert guidance on EPC Agreement terms related to various issues, obligations, changes, and claims. Escalate issues, where necessary, to the Project Contract Manager and other leadership. Liaise with other subject matter experts as needed (including legal, tax, insurance, etc.) depending on the issue.
• Assures implementation of the Project Contract Administration Plans and procedures, leads and oversees the accuracy of the contracts team’s administration and tracking of EPC Agreement including the obligations matrix, the preliminary issues log, the letters log, the change orders log, the claims log, all applicable Owner reporting from the EPC Contract function. Also, assures compliant delineation and proper management of asset-specific contract administration, deliverables and documents per phase in completion of tasks.
• From time to time develop and present EPC Agreement trainings for the Owner Project team for their awareness and cross functional issue mitigation and collaboration.
• Investigate complex issues in the frame of the EPC Agreement context and requirements, and as necessary, draft letters to the EPC Contractor clearly explaining the issue and mitigations necessary in accordance with the agreement. Coordinate such complex letters with legal for review and input prior to sending to Contractor. Support other members of the contracts team with letter drafting as appropriate.
• Lead the evaluation, negotiation, and management of any required change orders in accordance with the project Contract Change Management Plan and the Project Contract Change Management Procedure. For reviews of impacts to the Contract Price or contract schedule, assure appropriate analysis and review to validate such impacts prior to execution. Execute any and all changes only following receipt of appropriate approvals.
• Lead the Phase 1 project team in the tracking and compliance with the EPC Contract Claims Management Plan and the EPC Claims Analysis procedure. Assure all assigned Claim Action Leaders and Claim action teams are well suited to evaluate any alleged 5impacts. Gather feedback on claims and coordinate review and alignment with leadership prior to sharing with contractor counterparts. Work toward proactive analysis and settlement of EPC Claims where beneficial to the project and owner.
• Support administration of BAR insurance requirements as needed
• Research current regional and global events, including any events related to public policies, health and safety, seismic and weather threats to relevant region or job site, or governmental tariff risks to understand potential risks and impacts to the Owner based on Contractor’s claim entitlement rights under the agreement. Where applicable, draft internal memos to support mitigation efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree Business, Law, Finance, or Supply Chain or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Required
• Master's Degree. Preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in a comparable contracts administration or contracts management role within a complex capital construction project. Required
• 5+ years of experience drafting complex formal contractual correspondence.
• Experience with change order negotiation, execution and management.
• Experience with claim management including analysis, negotiation, and closure.
• Experience with day-to-day management of high-volume contract-related inquiries. Required
• 3+ years of experience administering an EPC Agreement
• Experience with dispute resolution, contracting, and commercial legal experience. Required
• Experience with procurement and supply chain management.
• Experience with develop training materials and delivering training to internal clients. Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of general corporate business practices, government and commercial contracting regulations and principles, subcontracting practices, and accounting and finance principles. Knowledge of contracting strategies.
• Contract negotiation skills.
• Interpersonal, problem-solving and verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical and mathematical skills. Advanced
• Listening skills and ability to document events, details and meetings.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of spreadsheets, word processing and database software packages, internet applications and/or company specific computer applications. Intermediate

Licenses and Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
• Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM)
• Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM)
• Certified Project Master (CPM) Preferred