Commercial and Contracts Manager

About the position

Experienced in managing FIDIC EPC contracts on large-scale renewable energy construction projects? We're looking for a senior Commercial and Contracts Manager who can independently handle claims, variations, contractor payments and commercial negotiations.

Is This You?
You've managed the commercial and contractual side of major construction projects, ideally utility-scale solar PV or other renewable energy developments, and know exactly what it takes to keep contractors accountable and project risks under control.
You're confident interpreting and applying FIDIC contracts, negotiating variations, challenging claims and managing contractual disputes. You understand the financial consequences of contractual decisions and don't need someone looking over your shoulder when a contractor submits a variation or a payment claim needs challenging.
You're commercially astute, thorough and comfortable working directly with senior project leadership, contractors, engineers and legal advisers. You can stand your ground in difficult negotiations while maintaining constructive working relationships.

What You'll Be Doing
Reporting directly to the Project Director, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day commercial and contractual management of a large-scale, utility-scale solar PV construction project.
Your focus will be on ensuring that contractual obligations are met, commercial risks are managed and the project owner's interests are protected throughout construction.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the commercial aspects of EPC, O&M, Asset Management and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• Assessing, negotiating and managing contractor variations, claims, contractual amendments and change orders.
• Preparing, reviewing and responding to contractual notices and correspondence, ensuring compliance with contractual procedures and deadlines.
• Reviewing and validating EPC and O&M contractor payment applications against agreed milestones, contractual conditions and Owner's Engineer certifications.
• Calculating, assessing and enforcing Delay Liquidated Damages (DLDs) and applicable performance-related obligations.
• Identifying contractual and commercial risks, developing mitigation strategies and supporting the resolution of disputes.
• Working closely with the Project Director on contractor negotiations, commercial decisions and claims strategies.
• Maintaining proper contract records, correspondence, document control and transmittal systems.
• Overseeing project commercial and financial controls, including contingency certification, expenditure and contractual amendments.
• Monitoring contractual and statutory compliance requirements, including permits, project conditions and applicable B-BBEE and Economic Development obligations.

This is a hands-on commercial management position. You'll be expected to take ownership of contractual matters, identify potential issues early and recommend practical, commercially sound solutions.

Where You'll Be Doing It
You'll join a growing, privately owned renewable energy developer with a pipeline of large-scale projects in South Africa.
The immediate focus is a 100 MW utility-scale solar PV project in Gauteng, with the opportunity to become involved in further projects as the portfolio develops.
You'll work within a relatively small, experienced and collaborative project team, reporting directly to a Project Director with extensive construction and contract management experience.
The preferred location is Cape Town, with a hybrid working arrangement of three days in the office. Suitably experienced candidates based in Gauteng will also be considered.
This is primarily an office-based commercial role, not a full-time site position, although occasional site visits or project workshops may be required.

What You'll Need
These are minimum requirements. We're looking for someone who already has the relevant project and contract management experience and can operate independently from the outset.

• Qualifications: A relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Finance or a closely related discipline.
• Experience: A minimum of 7 years' relevant experience in commercial and contract management on construction or infrastructure projects, including direct responsibility for managing project contracts.
• Renewable energy construction: Proven involvement in large-scale energy or renewable energy construction projects, preferably utility-scale solar PV, with approximately 2 years or more of relevant renewable energy exposure strongly preferred. Experience limited to small-scale or residential installations will not be sufficient.
• FIDIC contracts: Strong working knowledge and practical experience with FIDIC contracts, specifically the FIDIC Silver Book. You must understand how to apply contractual provisions in practice, not merely have theoretical knowledge.
• EPC contract management: Hands-on experience administering and managing EPC construction contracts, ideally from either the project developer/owner or EPC contractor side.
• Claims and variations: Demonstrated experience assessing, preparing, defending and negotiating contractor claims, variations, extension-of-time claims and contractual amendments.
• Payment and commercial controls: Experience reviewing contractor payment applications, checking contractual payment milestones, evaluating commercial entitlements and managing financial exposure.
• Contractual risk and disputes: A sound understanding of contractual notices, Delay Liquidated Damages, performance obligations, dispute resolution procedures and commercial risk management.
• Stakeholder management: Experience dealing directly with EPC contractors, project directors, legal advisers, engineers and other technical or commercial stakeholders.
• Independent decision-making: The ability to review contractual submissions, identify risks, formulate recommendations and manage day-to-day contractual matters without constant guidance.

Experience on utility-scale solar PV projects, particularly with exposure to the full construction phase, will be a significant advantage. Experience across O&M contracts, PPAs and asset management agreements would further strengthen your application.
Equally important is your approach. We're looking for someone commercially sharp, organised, calm under pressure and willing to get involved in the detail. You should be confident in negotiations, comfortable challenging contractors and capable of contributing to a small team where everyone takes responsibility.

What You'll Get
The opportunity to take commercial ownership of a major renewable energy construction project, with direct access to senior project leadership and meaningful involvement in commercial decisions.
Rather than working within a large, heavily layered organisation, you'll be part of a smaller team where your experience and judgement will be relied upon. You'll have visibility across the project, from contract administration and contractor negotiations through to financial and commercial performance.
With further projects in the pipeline, there is also the opportunity to extend your involvement beyond the initial project and contribute to the development of a growing renewable energy portfolio.

How To Apply
For a confidential discussion please contact Katharina Thieme-Schiess on LinkedIn, [Phone Number Removed]; or send your CV to [Email Address Removed] - we appreciate that your CV might not be fully up to date. No problem, just send us what you have. We do respond to everyone! Just give us a few days to work through your application.

Desired Skills:

• Contract Management
• Planning & Organising
• Project Planning