Senior Construction Contract and Claims Manager

Objective

This is a senior role within the project team to manage the various construction contracts and claims for a large scale (EP+CM+C) project at the Saint Constant Cement Plant.

The project consists in a new cement line. Ensure the portfolio of construction contracts for a large project, and follow contract and claim management.

Ensure a professional contract management system is in place in order to fully respect the project budget, and defend the Owner’s interests.

Responsibilities

Safety :

• Follows and ensures full compliance with Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• Ensures all contracts and project site meet the Lafarge safety policy requirements for our employee’s safety.

Project management and planning :

• Ensure the portfolio of construction contracts for a large project, and follow contract and claim management.
• Preparation of risks and opportunities analysis / presentations, kick-off meetings, strategy papers, definition of overall project claim strategies, etc.
• General advice and support to project management, site management, procurement / supply department and other project team members in the execution of project contracts.
• Support and participation in weekly and monthly project status meetings with Project team, Subcontractors and Suppliers.
• Identify and analyze potential risks and liabilities associated with the project.

Contract management :

• Ensure timely and accurate execution of commercial aspects in contracts (i.e. claims, variation orders, warranties, provisions, guarantees, etc.)
• Enforce and defend Holcim contractual interests throughout the project life.
• Leading contract and claims negotiations and settlements together with the project management and Legal where appropriate.

Coaching Project Team Members in commercial awareness, contract and claims management topics.

• Setup document management process to collect written information that may lead to a claim.
• Manage and file relevant contractual documents (letters, e-mails, minutes).
• Advise and administers the contract in order to anticipate the claims procedures
• Ensures that claims are settled with minimum financial impact and delay to Lafarge.
• Monitor the fulfilment of parties obligations towards each other (including their subcontractors)
• Understands the contract, specifically the aspect and scope.
• Is aware of any differences between the contract scope of work and commercial conditions and issue for construction (IFC) contract documents.

Tender and claims management :

• Review and comment on commercial and technical tender terms and requirements, and the overall execution strategy taking into account risk, pricing, scope, and schedule.
• Participate and support of the project throughout contract life : tender, negotiation, claim management and closeout.
• Manage claims, develop claim strategies, prepare notifications / correspondence and related documentation (amendments, change orders, and other contract related documents).
• Ensures that all members of the site team provide a complete document trail for their area opposable in case of dispute.
• Leads the claim resolution as quickly as possible, will bring in technical resources as required.

Legal :

• In cooperation with Legal, develop negotiation strategies, support negotiations, and handle formal dispute resolution (mediation, litigation, arbitration or others).
• Notify and liaise with Legal to report major claims and keep them updated on any critical developments during project execution.

Reporting :

Preparing a monthly report on the overall additional costs and claim status for Sites under execution.

Relationships with Other Jobs :

• Project Team (engineering, construction, quality, scheduling, OH&S, maintenance, etc.)
• Global, Regional and Local Procurement
• ECAN Head of Procurement
• ECAN Legal team

Specific Accountabilities :

• Communicates with contractors, the Project manager, the Purchaser, and other corporate, personnel as required.
• Ensures that confidentially is maintained as appropriate.
• Analyses incoming project documentation and prepare outgoing contract related letters for project / site managers and project teams.
• Prepares and propose to Project manager all letters, counterclaims and claims with the understanding that ultimate resolution could be at arbitration as per contract.
• Assists the Project Manager with invoice approval to ensure proper attention to lien release and bond adherence as well as other statutory declarations.
• Maintains a log of all claims and their financial impact to Holcim for resolving commercial opposition risks.
• Maintains the sense of trust with all contractors to ensure their concerns will be addressed so that the project schedule will not be compromised.
• Continually reviews activities of the Project team with potential claim liability.
• Motivate the project team to document all project events as proof to defend Lafarge interests.

Dimensions :

• Reports to the Project Director with a dotted line to the Head of Procurement
• Project scope : $M CND

Qualification Profile

Education & Work Experience :

• A university degree, with an in depth knowledge of engineering contract structure, and local regulations.
• Minimum ten years of working experience with an owner or contractor company, with strong exposure in technical, legal or financial fields.

Knowledge & Skills :

• High anticipation capabilities.
• Experienced in legal interpretation and drafting, quantity surveyor skills.
• Experience in heavy and industrial construction projects.
• Good computer skills of MS Office software, document filing / measurability system implementation.
• Good written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively / convincingly at all levels (including technical and operational) and with all functions in French and English.

Job-Specific Competency Profile :

• Effective time management, planning and organization
• Business Acumen
• Organizational Agility
• Strategic Thinking
• Customer Focus

We thank you for your interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Lafarge is committed to the principles of employment equity and encourages the applications from women, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Lafarge Canada Inc. welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. In Ontario, our organization / business is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.