Contract Manager

Role Overview

Contract Manager at Hitachi Rail Solutions for Railways LLC, based in Jeddah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Full-time position.

Company Overview

Hitachi Rail operates globally with cutting-edge digital transformation and technology capabilities. The Legal, Contracts & Compliance team in Saudi Arabia is expanding to support large-scale railway signaling projects in the region.

Role Purpose

The Contract Manager oversees the full lifecycle of contractual activities for large-scale railway signaling projects in Saudi Arabia. The role ensures all contractual obligations, rights, risks, and opportunities are effectively managed in alignment with project objectives and corporate governance, while safeguarding commercial interests, ensuring compliance, managing claims and variations, and fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management & Administration

• Lead the contract management function for railway signaling projects from contract award through project completion and close-out.
• Manage contractual correspondence, notifications, and documentation with clients, partners, and subcontractors.
• Ensure proper contract administration procedures and documentation control in accordance with company standards.
• Manage subcontractor and supplier contracts, ensuring alignment with the main contract and project objectives.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with contractual terms, corporate policies, and applicable legal frameworks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project performance against contractual obligations and ensure timely identification of potential contractual issues.
• Coordinate with legal, finance, procurement, and project management teams to ensure consistent contractual governance.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and manage contractual risks and opportunities, implementing mitigation strategies where necessary.
• Provide commercial and contractual guidance to project directors, engineering teams, and senior management.
• Contribute to commercial reporting, forecasting, and risk assessments related to contractual matters.

Claims & Dispute Resolution

• Lead the preparation, evaluation, and negotiation of contract variations, change orders, and claims.
• Support the development and execution of claims and dispute resolution strategies, including negotiation and settlement processes.

Stakeholder & Strategic Management

• Support project leadership in stakeholder management and contract negotiations with clients and consortium partners.
• Act as a strategic advisor to project leadership, contributing to risk mitigation, dispute avoidance, and successful execution of complex infrastructure projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3 to 10 years of professional experience in contract management in multinational companies, preferably within large infrastructure or railway projects.
• Proven experience managing complex EPC, turnkey, or railway signaling contracts in international project environments.
• Demonstrated track record in contract administration, claims management, and dispute resolution.
• Experience working with public sector clients and large infrastructure contracts, preferably in Saudi Arabia.
• Strong understanding of project delivery models and commercial risk management in large-scale transportation projects.
• Bachelor's degree in Law, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Law, Business Administration (MBA), or Project Management is considered an advantage.
• Professional certifications or trainings in commercial or contract management are highly desirable.
• Additional training or certification in FIDIC contract management or international construction law is considered beneficial.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in contractual frameworks commonly used in infrastructure projects, such as FIDIC or GTPL based contracts.
• Advanced negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication capabilities.
• Ability to operate in complex, multicultural project environments and manage multiple contractual interfaces.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance commercial protection and collaborative project delivery.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

Additional Information

• Work location is Makkah city in Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi national status is preferred.
• Attractive salary reflecting expertise, plus additional perks.
• Performance-based yearly discretionary bonus plan.
• Medical and life insurance provided for employee and family.
• Schooling allowance to support children's education and tuition fees.
• Access to a variety of learning programs for career development and skill growth.
• Opportunity to work in a multinational company with affiliate companies worldwide.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment.