Lead Contract Manager

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K&A Engineering Consulting – is a privately held company, providing comprehensive consulting, engineering and design, program/project management, construction management, and support services to power utility and industrial clients. Specializing in substation, transmission, distribution, distributed energy resources, and EPC services, we excel in solving complex challenges with precision-driven solutions. We pride ourselves on employing top talent, fostering a culture of excellence, and building meaningful relationships with clients and employees.

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Start your K&A Career:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Lead Contract Manager to join our team at K&A Engineering remotely in New York. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects that make a real impact in the energy and utility sectors. You’ll be part of a dynamic, people-focused team where your expertise, ideas, and contributions will be valued and celebrated.

Role Expectations:

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the contract management team within the PMO for large-scale and high budget transmission and substation projects
• Develop and implement high-level contract tracking, trending, and reporting tools to enhance project performance visibility
• Provide expert guidance on contract execution, risk mitigation, and compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements associated with EPC and E/PC contract vehicles
• Partner with risk management teams to assess, categorize, and mitigate contractual and financial risks
• Collaborate with finance and project controls teams to align contract costs with budget forecasts and financial constraints
• Develop risk-adjusted cost models that account for contractual contingencies, scope changes, and potential claims
• Establish early warning indicators for potential cost overruns, liquidated damages, or legal exposures
• Participate in Risk-Adjusted Cost Reports that account for contractual contingencies, scope changes, and potential claims. Financial insights incorporating contingency planning and scenario analysis
• Foster a culture of accountability and ownership, ensuring the team delivers accurate, timely, and high-quality contract execution and reporting
• Act as a decision-maker and escalation point, ensuring contract issues are resolved efficiently and effectively
• Provide coaching and professional development to enhance the team's capabilities in contract negotiation, risk management, and financial oversight

Contract Management & Oversight

• Manage contract manager team for end-to-end contract lifecycle, including negotiation, execution, change orders, and closeouts
• Ensure that all contractual commitments align with project scope, budget, and schedule requirements
• Collaborate with project managers, legal teams, and stakeholders to address contract disputes and risk factors
• Drive continuous improvement in contract administration processes to enhance efficiency and reduce delays
• Monitor vendor performance risks, ensuring key contractors remain in compliance with project expectations
• Establish contract governance processes to ensure transparency and accountability
• Work with project and construction management to evaluate contractor performance, culture, and safety metrics to realize potential safety risks prior to contract award
• Maintain detailed records of all contract-related documents throughout their lifecycle

Tracking, Trending & Reporting

• Develop dashboards, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms for contract performance tracking
• Monitor financial commitments, contract variations, and overall program health through data-driven analysis
• Identify patterns in cost overruns, schedule delays, change orders, and vendor performance to proactively address potential risks and provide recommendations to mitigate risks and improve contract execution
• Utilize historical project data to refine strategies, improve forecasting accuracy, and reduce cost variability
• Present contract performance updates to senior leadership and client stakeholders
• Deliver periodic reports on contract performance, financial trends, negotiated savings, risk exposure, and compliance
• Provide scenario-based reporting to evaluate potential impacts of risks on overall program costs
• Develop lessons learned, including evaluation of change order occurrence, to foster continuous improvement with future project execution and contract negotiations
• Present contract health updates to executive leadership and clients, ensuring transparency and data-driven decision-making

What we’re looking for:

• 10+ years of experience in contract management within large-scale utility, energy, or infrastructure projects
• Proven people leader with experience managing teams and driving accountability in high-stakes environments
• Deep understanding of EPC and E/PC contract structures, risk allocation, and performance metrics
• Expertise in contract negotiation, claims management, and cost-risk collaboration
• Experience in financial modeling, cost tracking, and risk mitigation strategies
• Strong background in developing tracking tools, dashboards, and trend analysis reports for high-capital projects
• Proficiency in contract management software, financial tracking tools, and data visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, SAP, Ariba, or Primavera)
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Engineering, Construction Management or a related field; advanced degree preferred

Why Join K&A?

People-First Culture: We put our people at the center of everything we do, creating an environment where your professional and personal growth is a top priority.

Innovation & Learning: We encourage continuous learning and invest in your development through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Collaborative Team Environment: We believe in the power of collaboration and working together to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and employees.

Recognition & Growth: We’ve earned our reputation through uncompromising precision and a commitment to excellence. As an agile and fast-growing company, we offer plenty of opportunities for your career advancement and growth.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, flexible PTO, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and much more.

Check out our career page for more information!

The salary range for this role considers a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licenses and certifications, and other related skillsets. The disclosed range is an estimate and has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.