Head of Contracts, MEAC

Role Overview

Head of Contracts, MEAC at Wood PLC. You will be a key member of the commercial function, managing the regional contracts team, leading complex client contract negotiations and providing strategic contractual and commercial guidance across a diverse portfolio of projects and markets across the Middle East, Caspian and Africa.

Company Overview

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara—a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies.

Role Purpose

As Regional Head of Contracts—MEAC, you will provide contractual and commercial leadership over a diverse portfolio of projects and business activities across the Middle East, Caspian and Africa. You will manage contract review workloads across the region, advise stakeholders on contractual matters, drive best practice contract management, and support the delivery of commercial objectives while minimising risk. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, partnering with internal stakeholders, clients and suppliers to provide contractual leadership and support successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

• Manage the day-to-day management and development of the regional Contracts team members and coordinate priorities to support each business.
• Lead a team of contract professionals located across the region and multiple business units.
• Provide effective mentoring and coaching skills to support team development.

Contract Review & Governance

• Undertake and oversee client contract reviews in accordance with Wood's contracting policy.
• Oversee proposed contract qualifications in conjunction with other functions to ensure the balance of risk is appropriate for the associated services and remuneration mode.
• Provide robust client contracts, governance and assurance across the assigned business units and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure that key relevant Commercial policies are understood and correctly applied within assigned business units.

Commercial Guidance & Negotiation

• Provide contractual and commercial guidance across a diverse portfolio of projects and markets, from client agreements and framework arrangements to financial instruments and confidentiality agreements.
• Provide guidance to the assigned business units on client contracting and negotiation strategies and terms and conditions.
• Develop main contract flow down requirements for supplier NDAs, POs and subcontracts, in conjunction with supply chain.
• Manage the preparation, negotiation, establishment, and administration of unincorporated Joint Ventures and/or Partnering agreements.
• Assist with the pursuit of Wood's assertive claims and/or defending claims against Wood.

Strategic Support & Tender Process

• Provide overviews of contract T&Cs and associated issues to senior management and execution teams, as applicable.
• Ensure the timely provision of contracts input into the Tender Governance Process and proposals.
• Provide input to commercial handovers to the execution teams for successfully awarded contracts.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Help drive commercial success while effectively managing contractual risk.
• Develop, build, and maintain internal relationships with stakeholders and collaborate with functions to identify strategies to avoid and mitigate risks associated with contract terms and Contracting Policy deviations.
• Assist the commercial function with the timely provision of commercial deliverables (e.g. bonds, PCGs, evidence of insurance) in accordance with contract requirements and Wood Policies.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Manage and deliver continuous improvement across the function and look for innovative ways of working, including the advancement of an existing Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system and the future implementation of AI legal tools.
• Represent Wood in industry-wide contracts initiatives, seminars and workgroups.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with internal stakeholders, clients and suppliers to provide contractual leadership and support successful project delivery.
• Strengthen stakeholder relationships and act as a trusted advisor on contract law and contract and commercial governance.
• Work across a broad range of business functions with a high degree of autonomy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree required in one of: Law, Quantity Surveying, or Business.
• Line management experience of a team located across multiple international locations.
• Contract and Commercial experience in engineering (consultancy, FEED, EP and detail design) and construction (EPC, CM, PMC, EPCM) projects in one or more of the following: oil and gas, mining, power, infrastructure and environmental industries.
• Demonstrable experience and proven track record of contract review, drafting, and negotiation in a service company environment.
• Experience across industries in which Wood operates which would allow a good understanding of associated risks and exposure.
• Experience in the negotiation and set up of JVs, MOUs, bidding agreements, and consortium agreements.
• Expert knowledge of contract terms, contract principles, and drafting and rollout of contracting policies.
• Extensive experience with standard contract model forms (including NEC, FIDIC, JCT, LOGIC or regional equivalents).
• Relevant Client-Facing Contracting Experience.
• High level of commercial and business acumen supported with SME contractual knowledge.

Skills & Competencies

• Expert knowledge of contract law and contract and commercial governance.
• Working knowledge of the Company Finance and HR systems.
• Awareness of all relevant corporate and project procedures.
• Excellent understanding of Client contract structures, principles, and policies.
• Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to influence outcomes effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage at all levels.
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities, with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Strategic mindset, able to contribute to and shape operational improvements.
• Highly organised, with strong planning and prioritisation skills.
• Builds strong relationships, with a clear client-focused approach and ability to establish trust.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive, solutions-focused attitude.
• Effective mentoring and coaching skills.
• Works well under pressure, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Acts with integrity and consistently demonstrates sound ethical judgement.
• Committed to continuous improvement and driving positive change.

Additional Information

Wood is an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.