Contracts Manager

Overview

An independent power producer in South Africa is driving the growth of clean, reliable energy through large-scale wind and solar projects across the Eastern and Northern Cape. Focused on sustainable development and local impact, the company delivers integrated solutions from project development and construction to long-term asset management and operations.

The organisation now seeks to appoint a Contracts Manager on an 18-month fixed-term contract to support the construction phase of a newly acquired wind farm.

The role requires deep experience in renewable energy construction projects and the administration of split contracts during execution.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee all contractual matters throughout the project lifecycle to ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and successful execution of agreements.
• Manage contracts from negotiation and drafting to execution and close-out, ensuring adherence to terms, timelines, and budgets.
• Contribute to updating the project’s risk and opportunity matrix, focusing on contract execution and mitigation measures.
• Support the drafting and updating of the Project Management Plan.
• Administer main contracts and subcontracts, including record-keeping of facts and events, correspondence, minutes, and document management.
• Monitor issuance and validity of bonds, guarantees, and other securities, ensuring appropriate enforcement when required.
• Manage interfaces between multiple contracts to mitigate cross-impact and maintain alignment.
• Organize periodic contractual review meetings and contribute to monthly progress reports to the Head of Operations.
• Draft contractual correspondence to clients, partners, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Identify and document discrepancies or breaches between contract performance and provisions, ensuring prompt rectification.
• Monitor contractor and supplier performance, engaging Category Lead Buyers as needed.
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations and Project Administrator to implement an effective document management system for contracts, correspondence, and claims registers.
• Reinforce commercial and contractual awareness across all project staff.

Change Control and Claims Management

• Supervise implementation of the change-order procedure.
• Evaluate, validate, and track all change-order requests and maintain the change-order register.
• Oversee execution of approved change orders.
• Manage claims in coordination with internal and external legal counsel, including drafting, notifying, and defending claims proactively.
• Coordinate investigations for claims received and prepare counterclaims where appropriate.
• Participate in litigation processes and court proceedings.
• Liaise with Category Lead Buyers regarding key contractors and suppliers managed at group level (Supplier Relationship Management).
• Maintain full familiarity with all project contracts and agreements tied to construction activities to maximise benefits and ensure compliance with obligations.

Key Contracts Managed

• Wind Turbine Supply Agreement
• Balance of Plant Agreement (civil and electrical, with separate electrical subcontractor)
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
• Eskom Connection Works Agreement
• Facility Agreements and associated Direct Agreements
• Lease Agreements
• O&M Agreements (turbine and balance of plant)
• Owner’s Engineer and Independent Engineer Agreements
• Various Interconnection, Implementation, and Self-Build Agreements
• Service Level Agreements and Supply Contracts related to the construction plant

Reporting & Deliverables

• Monthly project and contractual status reports.
• Change-order and claims reports.
• Inputs for counterclaims and legal documentation.
• Any additional reports required by the Head of Operations, lenders, insurers, or regulatory authorities.

What We’re Looking For

• Relevant bachelor’s degree (Legal, Commercial, or Engineering discipline).
• Minimum 5–8 years’ experience in contract management within large-scale renewable energy or infrastructure projects.
• Proven background managing split or multi-package contracts during the construction phase.
• Solid understanding of Project Finance-type structures and associated agreements.
• Strong command of contractual risk management claims handling, and dispute resolution processes.
• Demonstrated experience handling complex claims and disputes, including proactive preparation, defence, and coordination with internal and external legal teams.
• Proven exposure to non-standard, bespoke, or project-specific contracts outside of standard FIDIC/NEC frameworks.
• Experience with land-related contractual instruments, including leases, servitudes, wayleaves, and associated permitting requirements.
• Multidisciplinary grounding across quantity surveying, engineering, and legal principles to support robust commercial and technical interface management.
• Excellent drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with EPC contractors, lenders, and legal advisors.
• Advanced document control and reporting proficiency (MS Office and project document management systems).
• Ability to work under pressure, handle complex interfaces, and support cross-functional teams.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to contribute to a major renewable energy project shaping South Africa’s clean energy future.
• Exposure to full-cycle project delivery and financing structures typical of utility-scale wind developments.