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 experience Contract Manager with deep expertise in NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) to support contract strategy, administration, and commercial management across major infrastructure projects in Ireland.
This role is essential to support proactive contract management in line with NEC principles, including collaboration, early warning, and effective risk management. The successful candidate will deliver best practice in administering NEC4 ECC contracts, ensuring successful project outcomes and strong client and supply chain relationships, from pre-contract tender stages through to execution and close-out.
What You Will Do
As an Associate Contract Manager, your day-to-day duties will include:
NEC4 Contract Management
- Support the administration of NEC4 contracts, ensuring full compliance with contractual processes and timelines
- Advise on NEC4 clauses, including compensation events, early warnings, programme acceptance, and communications
- Ensure contracts are managed in the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation
Proactive Risk & Early Warning Management
- Establish and manage the Early Warning Register and Risk Reduction Meetings
- Drive proactive identification and mitigation of risks in collaboration with project teams and contractors
- Ensure timely and accurate notification of early warnings and compensation events
Compensation Events & Change Control
- Lead the assessment, negotiation, and agreement of compensation events in accordance with NEC4 ECC requirements
- Ensure robust and auditable change management processes
- Provide commercial guidance on time and cost implications
Programme & Performance Management
- Review and assess contractor programmes for compliance with NEC4 requirements
- Monitor progress against Accepted Programme and advise on corrective actions
- Support project teams in understanding programme implications of compensation events
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the key contractual interface between Employer, Project Manager, Supervisor, and Contractor
- Support collaborative working relationships aligned with NEC principles
- Provide strategic contractual advice to senior stakeholders
Claims Avoidance & Dispute Resolution
- Promote a proactive, dispute avoidance culture through effective contract management
- Support resolution of issues in real-time, minimising escalation
- Manage formal dispute processes if required, including adjudication
Governance & Reporting
- Ensure accurate and timely contract communications in line with NEC requirements
- Maintain comprehensive records to support audit and dispute resolution
- Provide regular reports on contractual/commercial status to senior management
Team Leadership
- Mentor and support contract administration team members in NEC best practices
- Support materials for training and guidance on NEC4 ECC processes and procedures
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
Qualifications
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Law, or related discipline
- NEC Accreditation (e.g., NEC4 Project Manager or ECC accreditation) strongly preferred
- Professional membership (e.g., MRICS, MCIPS, or equivalent) desirable
Experience
- Demonstrable experience of contract/cost management and administration
- Experience in administrating contracts, in particular, extensive hands-on experience administering NEC contracts, specifically within Ireland
- Knowledge of monitoring Contractors and / or Consultants performance
- Exposure to claims management
- Experience of supporting 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
- Knowledge of NEC4 ECC contract mechanisms and philosophy
- Commercial awareness and negotiation capability
- Excellent understanding of programme management within NEC frameworks
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to foster collaboration and drive performance across multidisciplinary teams
- Extensive numeracy and analytical skills
- Able to work within a team, remaining flexible to changing patterns and work-loads
- Excellent report writing & presentation skills
- 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