Senior Associate (Contract Manager)
Full TimeJob Overview
Gardiner & Theobald is an independent construction and property consultancy committed to providing world class service to our clients. Our dedicated team of over 1,500 people delivers Cost Management, Project Management and Specialist Consultancy services from a network of UK, Irish and US offices bound by a common purpose - to build a better tomorrow.
We define our success by the value we create for our clients, the fulfilling careers we build for our people and our contribution to the communities we work in. Our own long-term business performance aligns profit with purpose, taking social and environmental responsibility for our actions and the legacy we leave behind.
People are central to our mission. Rewarding individuals based on their unique abilities, talent and hard work, we believe in the quality of experiences and investing in a collaborative culture where all can thrive.
About the Role
Gardiner & Theobald are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Senior Contract Manager to lead contract strategy, administration, and risk management across major infrastructure projects in Ireland. This role is critical in ensuring contractual compliance, protecting commercial interests, and supporting our Clients in successful project delivery within highly regulated and complex environments.
The successful candidate will work closely with programme and project directors, procurement professionals, a PMO and external stakeholders, managing high-value contracts across the full project lifecycle—from pre-contract tender stages through to execution and close-out.
What You Will Do
As a Senior Associate Contract Manager, your day-to-day duties will include:
Contract Strategy & Management
- Lead the development, negotiation, and implementation of contract strategies aligned with project and organisational objectives
- Administer and manage contracts (e.g., NEC, FIDIC, Public Works Contracts) across multiple large-scale infrastructure projects
- Ensure compliance with Irish public procurement regulations and EU directives
Commercial & Risk Oversight
- Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks
- Manage change control processes, including variations, claims, and dispute resolution
- Provide strategic advice on contractual entitlements and obligations
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary contractual interface with clients, contractors, procurement professionals, consultants, and legal advisors
- Support senior leadership in commercial decision-making and negotiations
- Build strong working relationships with public sector bodies and key delivery partners
Claims & Dispute Resolution
- Lead the preparation, defence, and negotiation of claims
- Manage dispute avoidance and resolution processes, including adjudication, mediation, and arbitration where necessary
Governance & Reporting
- Ensure robust contract governance, documentation, and audit readiness
- Provide regular commercial and contractual reporting to senior management
- Support internal and external audits
Team Leadership
- Mentor and support junior contract managers and commercial staff
- Promote best practices in contract management across the organisation
Location / Working Arrangements
This role is based in Greater Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The successful candidate will need to either reside within daily commute of Greater Dublin, or be in a position to travel to Dublin to work on a full time Monday to Friday basis. Hybrid and remote working will be entertained on a case-by-case basis but is largely at our clients’ discretion to entertain.
About You
- Significant experience of contract/cost management and administration
- Experience in administrating contracts, in particular within Ireland
- Experience in developing individual contract management strategies, and implementing those strategies
- Knowledge of monitoring Contractors and / or Consultants performance
- Significant experience in, and understanding of, claims management
- Experience of establishing Contractors and / or Consultants performance management frameworks
- Knowledge of Key Performance Indicators for Contractors and / or Consultants organisations, and experience in building a Key Performance Indicators library
Essential Skills
- Extensive numeracy and analytical skills
- Able to lead a team
- Strong negotiation skills
- Report writing
- Presentation skills
- Computer literacy
- Understanding of Project & Contract Management software, such as Primavera P6 and CEMAR
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on Ireland’s nationally significant infrastructure projects
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Hybrid working and flexible arrangements
- Career progression within a growing partner led infrastructure team