Project Contract Manager - O&M Projects

We create smart innovations to meet the mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. We design and manufacture a complete range of transportation systems, from high-speed trains to electric buses and driverless trains, as well as infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility solutions. Joining us means joining a truly global community of more than 70 000 people dedicated to solving real-world mobility challenges and achieving international projects with sustainable local impact.   

The Project Contract Manager (CM) will be based on Thunderbay Ontario to  be in charge of the Operation and Maintenance Projects for one of our service projects. The candidate will be a key member of the project team, working in close collaboration with the Project General Managers and core project teams He/she provides guidance and leadership to develop, implement, and drive proactive contract/claim management and risk mitigation strategies in accordance with Alstom’s business objectives; including guidance on LD claims. variations orders, contract amendments.  He/she ensures proper record keeping and file preparation in support of robust claim files.

Objective

• Assume contract management for large and complex projects with government agencies or major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in the Canadian markets : prime responsibility for communications with customers or partners (superior drafting skills); handle issues involving drafting and negotiation of contract terms and conditions as well as variation orders and both offensive and defensive claim actions: Terms & Conditions, payment terms, warranties and guarantees ; research and consolidate all required inputs, including costs; support project manager as a strong contributor to the project team.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Analyze and interpret contract terms and conditions and establish clause by clause comments and contract summary for assigned contracts;
• Advise Project Manager (PM) and other project team members on Contract interpretation and all issues related to Contract performance to protect Alstom’s interests and mitigate risks to the maximum extent possible;
• Act as liaison with Customer Project Office; analyze for the PM all incoming correspondence and prepare and/or review all outgoing correspondence;
• Prepare the monthly report and minutes of meetings;
• Monitor issues and recognize potential problems at an early stage, maintain a logbook and records to ensure that possible problems, delays, changes and other occurrences related to project performance are promptly identified, recorded and documented;  lead periodic reviews, and coordinate actions;
• Together with project manager, project engineer and controller, prepare, build case (facts and contractual/legal grounds) and participate in negotiations for variation orders and claims;
• Issue variation requests ad validate variation orders;
• In collaboration with Site Documentation Controller and/or Project Contract Administrator, ensures a reliable filing and easy access of all correspondences

• Provides at any time, on management demand, a reliable and understandable contractual and commercial analysis of the project.

• For Dispute Arbitration Board (DAB) or similar non-litigation mechanism for dispute resolution, PrCM is required to prepare DAB files, referral notes along with substantial evidences and active participation in the process before the adjudication board or similar board.

• Maintain data file to ensure mandatory notice requirements to customers and subcontractors are met and manage follow-up actions;
• Contribute to conflict resolutions and participate in risk management process;
• For litigation process handled by Legal Team, CM will support Legal team or external counsell.
• Interface with the Contract Management Team in Canada mainly with the Key Supplier Contract Manager.

 Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university in legal, business administration or engineering. 
• Master’s Degree and/or professional certification preferred.
• Fluent in English mandatory; French is an asset.

Experience (Essential Functions)

• At least 5 years of experience in contract management

• Experience in Operations and Maintenance Projects preferred
• Experience in managing contracts for railway or other large projects type industrial programs
• Strong presentation and writing skills
• Strong proficiency with figures and financial data

Competencies & Skills 

• Ability to read and interpret contractual documents, including terms and conditions, planning, and technical specifications

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.                                                                                                                                

• Ability to understand project financials and impact of contract/claim management on project’s profitability.                                                                                                                                                                

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations.

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in writing, oral, diagram, or schedule form.                                                         

• Ability to anticipate and manage conflicting priorities.                                                                                                                                

• Ability to perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Contract Management mandates (Alstom); Project Management; Excel Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Office Word Processing software.

• Ability to work in a proactive mode

• Ability to be operationally effective and accountable.

• Ability to work transversally and collaboratively in a strong spirit of teamwork.

• Willingness and ability to be creative and bring forward new ideas and be customer focussed as well as business focused.

• Must be able to communicate with precision and transparency

An agile, inclusive and responsible culture is the foundation of our company where diverse people are offered excellent opportunities to grow, learn and advance in their careers.  We are committed to encouraging our employees to reach their full potential, while valuing and respecting them as individuals.