Senior Contract Manager (Trivandrum, Mangalore & Ahmedabad)

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, KL, India
Department: Engineering

Job Description

The Contract Manager shall report to the Project Director / Project Head and serve as the PMC lead for contract administration, commercial management and contractual risk management across the airport development project.

The role shall be responsible for administering project contracts, managing change and claims processes, assessing contractual entitlements, monitoring contractor compliance, mitigating contractual and commercial risks, and supporting dispute avoidance and resolution. The position shall provide strategic commercial and contractual advice to the Project Director and project teams to safeguard the Employer's interests while ensuring effective contract implementation and project delivery.

The Contract Manager shall act as the central point for all contractual and commercial matters, ensuring timely identification, assessment and resolution of contract-related issues that may impact project schedule, cost, quality or delivery objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Administration & Management

• Administer and manage project contracts in accordance with contractual provisions, Employer requirements and project objectives.
• Review, interpret and advise on contractual obligations, rights, liabilities, entitlements and risk allocation mechanisms.
• Manage contractual correspondence, notices, instructions, determinations and formal communications.
• Maintain contract registers, obligations matrices, correspondence logs and contractual documentation systems.
• Monitor contractor compliance with contractual obligations and recommend corrective actions where required.
• Claims, Variations & Change Management
• Administer change management, variation and compensation event processes.
• Review and evaluate variation proposals, change requests and commercial impacts.
• Assess Extension of Time (EOT) requests, delay claims and associated cost implications.
• Evaluate contractor claims, counterclaims and contractual entitlements.
• Develop recommendations and contractual positions for consideration by Project Leadership and the Employer.
• Support negotiation and settlement of contractual claims and variations.
• Commercial Risk Management
• Identify contractual, commercial and implementation risks affecting project delivery.
• Maintain contractual risk registers and develop appropriate mitigation measures.
• Assess schedule, cost and commercial impacts arising from design changes, delays, disruptions, productivity issues and scope modifications.
• Advise Project Leadership on contractual exposure, liabilities and risk allocation.
• Develop dispute avoidance strategies and recommend proactive interventions.

Contractual Support to Project Delivery

• Coordinate closely with Project Controls, Design, Construction, Commercial, Procurement and Legal teams.
• Support resolution of contractual matters arising during construction, testing, commissioning and handover.
• Provide contractual guidance relating to performance obligations, milestones, liquidated damages, performance securities, warranties and defects liability provisions.
• Ensure contractual compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Procurement & Commercial Administration

• Support procurement activities, tender evaluations and contract award processes.
• Assist in preparation, review and negotiation of contract documents and amendments.
• Review payment certifications, commercial assessments and contractual submissions.
• Support administration of subcontract and specialist service agreements where required.
• Reporting, Governance & Dispute Resolution
• Prepare contractual reports, claims assessments, commercial dashboards and management updates.
• Develop and maintain contractual status reports and early warning mechanisms.
• Support governance reviews, steering committee meetings and executive-level reporting.
• Assist in negotiation, mediation, dispute avoidance and dispute resolution activities.
• Coordinate with legal advisors on contractual interpretation and dispute matters where required.

Key Competencies

• Proven leadership in contract administration and commercial management for large airport or infrastructure projects.
• Strong expertise in FIDIC, EPC, Design-Build, Item-Rate and Lump-Sum contracting frameworks.
• Comprehensive understanding of contractual risk allocation, commercial management and infrastructure project delivery.
• Extensive experience in claims management, variation assessment, change management and Extension of Time (EOT) evaluations.
• Strong capability in contractual interpretation, entitlement analysis and dispute avoidance.
• Expertise in commercial risk assessment, mitigation planning and contractual strategy development.
• Strong understanding of project controls, delay analysis, construction methodologies and cost impacts on contractual entitlements.
• Experience in procurement, tender evaluation, contract negotiation and commercial administration.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong analytical, commercial, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience in data-driven contract administration, commercial reporting and contractual performance monitoring.
• Strong governance, documentation, auditability and contractual compliance management capabilities.
• Ability to identify emerging contractual risks early, develop mitigation strategies and protect Employer interests while maintaining project objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under demanding project schedules and manage complex contractual interfaces across multiple stakeholders and contractors.
• High standards of professional integrity, commercial judgement and contractual ethics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering/Construction Management/Quantity Surveying/Cost Management, Law, Contract Management or related discipline.
• Master's Degree in Construction Management/Contract Management/Commercial Management/Cost management MBA or equivalent qualification preferred.
• Professional certification in Contract Management, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or related discipline shall be preferred.
• Overall 15-20 years of professional experience in contract administration, commercial management and claims management.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in aviation projects involving airport terminal buildings, airside works, landside infrastructure, utilities and airport support facilities, under EPC, Design-Build, PMC or similar contract arrangements.
• Demonstrated experience in administration of large complex infrastructure or commercial projects
• Strong experience in FIDIC, EPC, Item-Rate, Lump-Sum, Design-Build and infrastructure contracts.
• Experience in PMC, EPC, Client-side or Independent Engineer environments.
• Proven experience in claims management, variation assessment, change management, extension of time evaluations and dispute resolution.
• Strong understanding of commercial controls, procurement practices and contract governance frameworks.
• Experience in at least one Greenfield or Brownfield airport project of minimum 10 MPPA capacity involving terminal, airside or major airport infrastructure works preferred.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.