Contracts Specialist

We are seeking a highly experienced Contracts Specialist, to play a strategic role in driving business growth, managing contractual risk, contractual governance, and supporting customer satisfaction across the country portfolio.

The Contract Specialist will support the effective administration of post‑award contracts on major projects across the UAE. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring contractual compliance, accurate documentation, and effective coordination between internal and external project stakeholders.

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partner: Collaborate closely with the Head of Commercial and Contracts and the leadership team to support the development and execution of the UAE business strategy.

• Contracts & Risk Leadership: Lead all contract‑related activities, ensuring contractual and legal risks are proactively identified, mitigated, and managed across the full project lifecycle.

• Customer‑Centric Approach: Promote pragmatic, balanced contractual solutions that protect the business while enabling long‑term client relationships.

• Growth & Market Enablement: Go beyond traditional contract management by supporting bid strategies, identifying commercial opportunities, and enabling effective go‑to‑market initiatives.

• Team Contributor: Actively contribute to cross‑functional leadership discussions, organizational performance, and a culture of accountability and delivery.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Finance, Operations, Project Delivery, and Legal teams to ensure alignment on commercial strategy and execution.

• Compliance & Ethics Champion: Ensure full compliance with internal policies, UAE regulations, and ethical standards, providing guidance and training where required.

Key Technical Responsibilities

A. Pre‑Award (Tendering & Bid Phase)

• Review and analyse tender and contract documents to identify commercial, contractual, and legal risks

• Lead contractual inputs into bids, proposals, and commercial submissions

• Develop deviations, clarifications, and contractual strategies in coordination with Sales, Legal, Finance, Logistics, and technical teams

• Lead contract negotiations with clients, partners, and suppliers to secure balanced and compliant terms in line with company policy

• Advise senior management on risk exposure, liabilities, and mitigation strategies before contract award

• Lead the review and formation of agreements, including LOIs, NDAs, JVs, consortium agreements, exclusivity agreements, and subcontracts

B. Post‑Award (Contract Administration & Management)

• Administer and interpret contract terms to ensure compliance with obligations, deliverables, and timelines

• Contract change management, including variations, EOTs, and time and/or cost claims

• Support delay analysis methodologies for EOT and prolongation cost claims

• negotiations on amendments, settlement agreements, and commercial disputes

• Maintain comprehensive contract records, registers, bonds, guarantees, insurances, and correspondence

• Support project and finance teams in payment collection in accordance with contract terms

• Act as the contractual backbone for the site and operations teams on all contract and project matters

• Coordinate with Legal on dispute management, pre‑litigation matters, and arbitration preparation

• Ensure timely contract close‑out, including final accounts, guarantees release, and documentation handover

C. Risk & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and monitor contractual risks throughout the project lifecycle

• Develop and implement mitigation strategies with project stakeholders

• Provide contract awareness and compliance training to project teams in coordination with Legal

• Ensure adherence to company governance, compliance, and ethical standards

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quantity Surveying, or related field.

• Minimum 8+ years’ experience in contracts management with strong pre‑ and post‑award exposure

• Experience in construction, infrastructure, EPC, or industrial projects within the UAE / Middle East

• Professional accreditation required or in progress (CIArb and/or RICS)

• Strong knowledge of UAE construction law, including Civil Code and local regulatory frameworks

• Strong experience with FIDIC (Red, Yellow, Silver), JCT, NEC, and bespoke contracts

• Proven experience in claims preparation, negotiation, and dispute resolution

• Fluent in English 

• Strong commercial acumen with solid  financial analytics capability

• Proficient in MS Office and Excel.

At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.

Read more on https://careers.kone.com/en/