Senior Contracts Manager in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham

Senior Commercial / Contracts Manager – NEC Option A

Contract | Immediate start | Hybrid working
Rate OUTSIDE IR35: circa £600–£650 per day plus expenses, with flexibility for exceptional experience
Anticipated duration: until mid-2027, with potential for extension and follow-on assignments

We are seeking an experienced commercial and contracts professional to support a complex construction project, taking ownership of outstanding contractual matters while maintaining effective administration of ongoing works.

This assignment requires strong practical knowledge of NEC contracts, specifically Option A, and a proven ability to progress compensation events through assessment, agreement and implementation.

 The assignment

Working closely with project managers and senior leadership, you will review legacy contractual issues, develop clear commercial strategies and drive the resolution of outstanding compensation events. Alongside this, you will manage current and future contract administration, helping the project team protect its contractual position and meet its obligations.

 Key responsibilities

• Review outstanding compensation events, supporting records and contractual entitlement.
• Develop and implement strategies to progress unresolved compensation events towards agreement and implementation.
• Manage contractual correspondence, notices and supporting documentation.
• Identify, notify and administer new compensation events within contractual timescales.
• Manage early warnings and support the associated risk management process.
• Support applications for payment where required.
• Maintain clear records of contractual matters, actions, deadlines and commercial exposure.
• Liaise with client representatives on contractual and commercial issues.
• Provide practical contract advice and strategy to project managers and senior management.
• Support the assessment of delay, prolongation and potential disputes where these arise.

 Essential experience

• Strong commercial and contract administration experience on construction or engineering projects.
• Demonstrable NEC Option A experience is essential.
• A proven track record of progressing complex or outstanding compensation events.
• Thorough understanding of NEC notices, early warnings, compensation event procedures and payment mechanisms.
• Ability to assess historical records and turn unresolved issues into clear, actionable priorities.
• Strong negotiation, written communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Confidence advising project teams and senior decision-makers.

Experience dealing with delay, prolongation or disputed contractual matters would be advantageous.

Working arrangements

The assignment offers hybrid working, with travel to project and company offices as required. An immediate start is preferred.