About the job Senior Contracts Specialist
About the Role
JDS Energy & Mining is seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Specialist to support the commercial and contractual management of mining, EPCM, construction, and industrial projects. The Senior Contracts Specialist will be responsible for managing contracts through the full project lifecycle, from tendering and contract development through execution, change management, claims, and closeout. Working closely with project management, procurement, project controls, engineering, construction, finance, and legal teams, this role will provide commercial and contractual support to ensure contracts are effectively managed, risks are identified and mitigated, and project objectives are achieved. The ideal candidate has significant experience managing contracts on major capital projects and can independently manage complex contractual matters in a fast-paced project environment. Travel to project sites and other locations will be required based on project needs.
The JDS Way
All employees are expected to promote and adhere to The JDS Way:
- Accept No Mediocrity
- Conduct Business Professionally, Ethically, and Practically
- True to Our Word
- Uphold the Highest Standards of Leadership, Teamwork, and Accountability
- Maintain Open and Honest Communication
- Ensure No Harm to People, the Environment, Assets, or Reputation
Key Responsibilities
- Manage contracts through the full lifecycle, including tendering, award, execution, administration, change management, claims, and closeout.
- Develop and administer contracts, subcontracts, purchase agreements, service agreements, and other commercial agreements.
- Support the development of contracting strategies, scopes of work, commercial terms, and procurement plans.
- Prepare and manage RFQs, RFPs, tender packages, scopes of work, and contractual documentation.
- Lead and support commercial evaluations of contractor and supplier proposals, including pricing, qualifications, schedule, exclusions, risks, and contractual compliance.
- Lead and support contract negotiations with contractors, suppliers, consultants, and service providers.
- Review contract terms and conditions and identify commercial, contractual, schedule, and project risks.
- Provide contractual and commercial guidance to project management and project teams throughout project execution.
- Administer contracts during execution, including monitoring deliverables, milestones, payment terms, insurance, bonding, warranties, and other contractual requirements.
- Monitor contractor and supplier performance against contractual obligations, project requirements, schedules, and commercial terms.
- Manage contract changes, amendments, extensions, change orders, and variations, ensuring appropriate documentation, approvals, and commercial impact assessments.
- Review, evaluate, and administer contractor claims, notices, change requests, site instructions, and other contractual correspondence.
- Work closely with Project Controls to monitor contract values, commitments, approved changes, forecasts, accruals, and potential commercial exposures.
- Maintain accurate contract registers and ensure key dates, obligations, deliverables, renewals, and approvals are actively monitored.
- Prepare contract status reports, commercial summaries, forecasts, and other management reports.
- Identify potential contractual issues and work with project teams and contractors to resolve matters before they impact cost, schedule, or project delivery.
- Support the resolution of commercial disputes and contractual issues in collaboration with project leadership and Legal.
- Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with company policies, procedures, delegated authorities, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
- Support contract audits and compliance reviews by maintaining complete and accurate contractual documentation.
- Lead and support contract closeout activities, including final account settlement, resolution of outstanding claims, release of claims, warranties, and turnover of documentation.
- Maintain strong working relationships with contractors, suppliers, clients, and internal project stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities to improve contracting processes, templates, systems, and commercial practices.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to junior contracts and commercial personnel as required.
- Travel to project sites and other locations as required based on project needs.
Package Details
Qualifications
- Diploma or degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Law, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in contracts, commercial management, procurement, or contract administration.
- Demonstrated experience managing contracts on major mining, EPCM, construction, heavy industrial, infrastructure, or similar capital projects.
- Strong experience with competitive tendering, RFP/RFQ processes, bid evaluations, contract negotiations, and contract administration.
- Demonstrated experience managing contract changes, variations, claims, and commercial issues.
- Strong understanding of contract terms and conditions, commercial risk, contractor management, and project delivery.
- Experience working closely with project management, project controls, procurement, engineering, construction, finance, and legal teams.
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret contract terms and assess commercial and project impacts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple contracts and priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
- Experience with contract management, procurement, ERP, or project controls systems is considered an asset.
- Experience with Primavera P6 or other project scheduling software is considered an asset.
- Previous experience working in a mining or EPCM environment is strongly preferred.
- Willingness and ability to travel to project sites as required based on project needs.
Compensation
- Competitive compensation based on actual hours worked.
- Compensation will be commensurate with the experience of the successful applicant.
Character & Fit
- Experienced commercial professional with strong contract management knowledge.
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Commercially minded with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Confident negotiator who can build effective relationships with contractors, clients, and project teams.
- Proactive and able to identify and address contractual risks before they become project issues.
- Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines.
- Open, honest, and professional communicator.
- Adaptable and capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced project environment.
- Takes ownership of contractual and commercial matters.
- Strong English written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrates sound judgment, professionalism, and integrity.