Construction Lead

Construction Lead

Kitimat, BC

Introduction

Our client is seeking an experienced Construction Lead to support a major capital project currently progressing through the Define Phase toward a final investment decision. This critical position will provide commercial and contract leadership across construction and project execution activities, ensuring contract strategies, governance, and commercial outcomes align with project objectives.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and managing complex construction contracts, supporting procurement activities, mitigating commercial risk, and driving effective contractor performance. Working within a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment, this individual will provide strategic guidance and contract management expertise throughout the project lifecycle while supporting a culture of safety, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, negotiation, execution, and administration of construction and capital project contracts.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage contracts, subcontracts, change orders, and commercial agreements.
• Monitor contractor and subcontractor performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and project requirements.
• Manage claims, variations, disputes, and commercial issues in collaboration with project, legal, and risk management teams.
• Support tendering activities, including contractor prequalification, bid evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Develop and maintain contract management processes, procedures, governance standards, and reporting frameworks.
• Ensure all contractual communications, notices, approvals, and documentation are managed accurately and in accordance with contract requirements.
• Conduct contract reviews and audits to identify risks, improve performance, and support compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams including Procurement, Project Services, Finance, Legal, Engineering, and Construction.
• Provide guidance and training on contract management best practices and commercial governance.
• Contribute to the development of future contract strategies and negotiation plans for upcoming project phases.
• Monitor contracting market conditions, contractor capabilities, labour availability, and industry trends to support informed decision-making.
• Support local content initiatives and foster engagement with Indigenous partners, local businesses, and regional stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate contract records, audit trails, and reporting outputs to meet governance and project requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovative solutions, and effective contract management practices across the project.
• Travel periodically to engineering offices and project sites as required.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in contract management, procurement, commercial management, construction leadership, or project delivery within large-scale industrial, infrastructure, energy, or construction projects.
• Significant experience leading construction contracts and contract administration activities.
• Strong understanding of Canadian contracting practices and commercial frameworks.
• Experience operating within large, multi-stakeholder project environments.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led contractors or joint ventures is considered a strong asset.
• Experience supporting major capital projects from design through construction and execution phases.
• Strong understanding of commercial risk management, governance, and project delivery principles.

Technical Skills

• Advanced contract negotiation, administration, and commercial management capabilities.
• Strong understanding of contract law, claims management, dispute resolution, and commercial risk mitigation.
• Proven ability to evaluate complex business issues and provide practical commercial recommendations.
• Experience managing both lump-sum and reimbursable contract structures.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced project environment.
• Experience developing and implementing contract management processes and governance frameworks.
• Comfortable operating in environments with ambiguity and evolving project requirements.
• Proficiency with commercial reporting, project controls, and contract management systems.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrated commitment to safety, integrity, accountability, and ethical decision-making.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor team members across multiple locations.
• Collaborative leadership style with a strong focus on teamwork and project success.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse cultural, functional, and organizational environments.
• Commitment to fostering inclusion, respect, and continuous learning.
• Courage to challenge constructively, drive innovation, and influence positive outcomes.

What We Offer

Why work with Brunel? We are proud to offer exciting career opportunities from over 100 offices globally in 42 countries. Advancing your career takes time and effort – let us match you to your ideal position.

About Us

Brunel has a reputation for working with some of the best in the business. That’s what we continually strive for. Brunel provides the global recruitment and workforce services you need to lead your industry. With 45 years of market experience in Renewable Energy, Automotive, Oil & Gas, Life Sciences, Mining and Infrastructure, we help you finish major projects safely, compliantly, on-time, within budget and at the highest quality, so you can keep growing – anywhere in the world.