Project Contracts Manager

SLB New Energy & Industrial (NEI) is a division of SLB, driving energy innovation with a portfolio that includes carbon capture and sequestration, geothermal power, energy storage, sustainable battery-grade lithium, hydrogen, and Data Center infrastructure solutions. Our Data Center infrastructure solutions provide innovative and cost-effective solutions enabling faster, smarter, and more resilient data centers. We deliver modular infrastructure solutions that scale AI and cloud computing capacity while minimizing capital risk and deployment delays.

About the role

The Project Contracts Manager will manage all contractual and commercial activities across Data Center projects, serving as the primary contractual liaison between the project team, client, and subcontractors. This role maintains full visibility of project execution, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and rights. Acting as the project’s commercial and contractual advisor, the role supports effective administration of prime contracts and subcontracts, manages client and subcontractor relationships, and proactively protects the company’s position while enabling smooth project delivery.

This is a site-based position requiring daily coordination across project management, construction, and supply chain teams, with regular interaction with subcontractors and client representatives. Some travel may be required between project locations or to the Houston office. Candidates must be open to domestic relocation based on project schedules and locations. Relocation assistance is available.

Objectives

• Maintain complete understanding of prime contracts and subcontracts, identifying and managing gaps, inconsistencies, and flow-down requirements.
• Advise the Project Manager and team daily on contractual rights, obligations, and risks arising from project activities.
• Proactively manage correspondence, notices, and contractual communications both upstream (client) and downstream (subcontractors).
• Ensure consistent and timely handling of contract variations, claims, back charges, and changes in accordance with contract terms.
• Promote and lead consistent contract administration practices across assigned Data Center projects.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage contractual risks and opportunities, developing mitigation or value-protection strategies.
• Ensure strong commercial governance under Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), progressive GMP, and cost-reimbursable arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Administer the prime contract in accordance with contractual notice, certification, and response timeframes, including tracking and managing changes through a disciplined change order process.
• Maintain logs and records of all contractual activities and provide reports for the Project Team.
• Maintain awareness of daily project activities, linking site events and decisions to contractual requirements and obligations.
• Provide timely advice to the Project Manager and functional leads regarding entitlement, risk exposure, and compliance with notice requirements.
• Lead contractual assessment of changes, variations, and potential claims, including entitlement evaluation and valuation of work performed.
• Prepare and issue formal correspondence, notifications, and claims to clients and subcontractors in line with contractual procedures.
• Lead review and negotiation of subcontract terms and variations, ensuring consistency with prime contract requirements.
• Coordinate with project controls to align change management, cost, and schedule impacts with contractual submissions.
• Supervise and mentor Contract Administrators managing day-to-day administration of client and subcontract agreements.
• Administer contracts executed under GMP, progressive GMP, or cost-plus fee structures, including validation of allowable costs and fee application.
• Coordinate with Project Controls and Cost Management teams to ensure alignment between GMP development, forecast-to-complete, and contractual entitlements.
• Ensure all required contract securities, warranties, insurances, and commercial undertakings are in place and compliant.
• Support establishment and operation of open-book commercial processes, including cost transparency and client audit interactions.
• Assist commercial close-out activities, including final account negotiations, contingency reconciliation, and settlement of outstanding claims.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Law, or Business Administration.
• 8 to 10 years of experience managing large-scale construction or industrial projects, including commercial risk management under compressed schedules and evolving scope.
• Strong experience managing both client and subcontractor contracts simultaneously within active project environments.
• Proven capability in understanding contract law, interpreting contract terms, and translating them into actionable project guidance.
• Demonstrated success tracking, drafting, and managing claims, variations, and correspondence under tight timeframes.
• Hands-on experience managing commercial exposure associated with delays, variations, and interface risks.
• Familiarity with project controls systems and cost management principles.
• Proven experience delivering projects under GMP, progressive GMP, or cost-reimbursable/open-book models, including client audit support and contingency governance.
• Prior experience delivering large-scale data center or mission-critical facility projects is highly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional certification in Contract or Commercial Management (e.g., MRICS, CICES, or IACCM) is preferred.
• Experience with industry-standard contract templates (AIA, ConsensusDocs, hyperscaler forms, FIDIC, or NEC) is preferred.
• Must be able to legally work and reside in the U.S. without sponsorship.