Contracts manager

Job Description

Technical Staffing Resources (TSR) are the in-house agency and master vendor for KBR who are a leading global engineering, construction, and services company.

KBR support the hydrocarbon and government services markets on six continents. Serving their customers through diverse business units, KBR offer challenging assignments on some of the world's largest and most complex projects.

We are seeking an Contracts Manager for a 24 month assignment, based in Leatherhead. Surrey.

On Offer

• Competitive hourly pay rate
• Outside IR35 work engagement
• Hybrid Working; 3 days in the office, 2 days from home

NB. We can only consider candidates with the right to live and work in the UK

Role Overview

KBR is seeking a highly experienced Contracts Manager to support delivery of the Alfanar Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Project in Teeside, UK.

This is a “top-table” PMC role, requiring a senior professional capable of leading complex EPC contracting strategy, tendering, and execution across a multi-billion-dollar energy project. The role will operate at a strategic, front-end level, ensuring that contractual frameworks are fully aligned with the project’s technical, commercial, and risk profile.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will bring credible experience from multi-billion-dollar EPC projects, with a demonstrable ability to shape contracts at the front-end,

EPC Contracting & Tender Leadership

• Lead major EPC tendering processes including ITT development, prequalification, evaluation, and award strategy

• Define and implement overall contracting strategy, including packaging, EPC model selection, and risk allocation philosophy

• Provide commercial leadership across multi-contractor tender evaluations and negotiations

Contract Structuring & FEED Alignment

• Lead FEED verification from a contractual perspective, ensuring alignment between technical maturity and contracting model

• Develop robust contract structures reflecting project execution strategy and risk profile

Negotiation of Major EPC Contracts

• Lead negotiation of large-scale EPC contracts (LSTK, reimbursable, hybrid), typically in the $500M–$1B+ range

• Ensure balanced, bankable, and executable contractual positions in line with project objectives

Risk Allocation & Performance Frameworks

• Structure and manage multi-party risk allocation across Client, EPC contractors, licensors, O&M providers, and suppliers
• Develop and align performance guarantee frameworks across multiple licensors, ensuring no gaps or overlaps
• With support from subject matter experts, lead contractual positioning on:

o FOAK (First-of-a-Kind) and technology risk

o Feedstock variability

o Avoidance of unrealistic EPC wrap/performance guarantees

Contracts Management & Claims Strategy

• Oversee post-award contract administration, including change control and claims strategy
• Lead dispute avoidance and resolution strategies aligned with project objectives

Stakeholder & Interface Management

• Act as the key contracts interface across Client, engineering, licensors, EPC contractors
• Support development of bankable contracting structures, aligned with financing and lender requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 25 years’ post-graduate experience
• Minimum 20 years’ experience in energy projects
• Proven experience as Contracts Lead/Manager on at least one major EPC project >$1bn, including contract formation and negotiation
• Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, or Contracts/Commercial discipline

Essential Experience & Capability

• Leadership of major EPC tendering processes
• FEED verification and contract structuring
• Negotiation of large EPC contracts (>USD 500M–1B+)
• Development of contracting and execution strategies
• Multi-party risk allocation in complex delivery models
• Structuring performance guarantees across multiple licensors
• Managing FOAK / new technology risks in contracts
• Challenging and avoiding unworkable EPC wrap structures
• Claims management and dispute resolution strategy
• Delivery within refining, petrochemical, LNG, hydrogen, bio-fuels, or SAF projects
• Experience with multi-licensor integration environments
• Exposure to bankable project structures and lender requirements
• Prior experience in PMC or Owner’s Engineer roles

If the above opportunity describes you, then I would love to speak with you, get in touch - 01372 862020, or send me your CV - matt.smith@kbr.com