Contract Lead
The Hague - Netherlands
Job Summary
Contract Lead
APM Terminals has embarked on an exciting global growth journey. Building on our extensive industry experience and internationally recognized operational standards we are shaping a best-in-class implementation setup combining clear optimized processes with an agile forward-looking team. Our success is driven by a strong commitment to LEAN methodologies embedding continuous improvement into every aspect of our operations.
As part of our Growth Strategy at APM Terminals we are investing in greenfield projects to expand our existing footprint and working with our existing brownfield sites to ensure best-in-class terminals across the globe. Our ability to design and build a terminal establish an operational organization and secure commercial business is pivotal to achieving these ambitions.
As part of the BIM PMO team this position has a global scope and will provide Contract Management support services to capital investment projects working across the Business Implementation Management (BIM) transversal.
The Contract Lead provides independent contract governance assurance compliance oversight portfolio monitoring reporting and advisory support across BIM capital projects. The role supports Project Teams and Project Contracts Managers by promoting consistent application of the APM Terminals Contract Management Framework strengthening contract controls improving contractual reporting and supporting proactive management of claims variations risks and role works both with projects and across the BIM organisation to strengthen contract management capability improve standards embed lessons learned and support continuous improvement of contract management practices.
What We Offer:
At APMT Terminals we foster a dynamic learning and training culture that empowers our employees to excel. Our commitment to improvement is driven by Lean principles ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to develop their skills and advance their careers. Experience a diverse multinational workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we work.
Location: role is based in The Hague Netherlands. The role may require occasional travel.
Position reports to: Contract Strategy & Execution Lead BIM PMO
Key Responsibilities:
The Contract Lead will have the responsibility for the following:
1. Contract Governance & Assurance
Lead and support implementation of the Contract Management Framework across projects through guidance and assurance.
Promote consistent application of contract management standards procedures and governance requirements.
Conduct periodic contract health checks and governance reviews.
Review adherence to contractual approval authorities and delegated authority requirements.
Monitor compliance with contractual processes workflows and documentation standards.
Support internal and external audits relating to contract management activities.
Identify governance gaps and recommend corrective actions.
Monitor implementation and close-out of audit findings and governance actions.
2. Contract Compliance Monitoring
Monitor compliance with contractual obligations conditions precedent milestones deliverables notice requirements and key contractual deadlines.
Verify that contractual obligations are appropriately tracked and managed by project teams.
Monitor the validity and tracking of insurances bonds guarantees securities and warranties.
Review project contract administration practices to ensure contractual obligations notices approvals and records are managed in accordance with approved procedures.
Monitor contractor and employer contract compliance trends across projects.
Escalate material contractual non-compliance and emerging contractual concerns to the Contract Strategy & Execution Lead.
3. Contract Controls & Portfolio Monitoring
Maintain portfolio-level visibility of contractual status across all assigned projects.
Monitor the reporting and management of project claims variations notices compensation events contractual correspondence disputes and key contractual risks.
Review completeness and quality of project contractual records and registers.
Verify that project controls and contract controls remain aligned.
Monitor contractual exposure and emerging trends across the portfolio.
Ensure contract registers claims logs variation logs notice trackers and key contractual records are maintained to an agreed standard across projects.
Identify recurring control issues and lessons learned for escalation into portfolio reporting and continuous improvement processes.
4. Contract Risk Management & Early Warning
Monitor contractual risk exposure throughout the project lifecycle.
Identify emerging contractual risks trends and areas requiring management intervention.
Support early identification of contractual entitlement exposure and potential claims to enable timely intervention and preservation of contractual rights.
Support development tracking and close-out of contractual risk response actions.
Review contract risk registers and assess effectiveness of response actions.
Escalate significant contractual risks and potential disputes in a timely manner.
5. Reporting Analytics & Performance Insights
Develop and maintain contract management reporting and performance dashboards.
Consolidate contractual information across multiple projects.
Produce periodic contract governance compliance claims variation dispute and risk reports.
Provide management with data-driven contractual insights and trend analysis.
Prepare clear concise contractual insights and recommendations for executive reporting stage-gate reviews and governance forums.
Develop and maintain contract management KPIs leading indicators and performance metrics to support proactive portfolio oversight.
Identify opportunities for improvement through analysis of contractual performance trends.
Support stage-gate reviews and governance forums with contractual reporting and recommendations.
6. Contract Advisory Support
With the support of the Contract Strategy and Execution Lead act as a trusted contract management advisor to the project teams.
Support Project Managers and Contracts Managers with contractual interpretation and governance guidance.
Advise project teams on contractual obligations governance requirements and escalation routes.
Coordinate with Legal Procurement Finance Risk and Project Controls functions where contractual matters require cross-functional input or escalation.
Support reviews of contractor submissions and contractual documentation.
Contribute to development of contractual position papers and management briefings where required.
7. Capability Building & Continuous Improvement
Support the development of organisational contract management capability across BIM projects.
Deliver awareness sessions workshops and coaching on contract governance contract administration and best practices.
Support onboarding of project personnel on contract management processes tools and requirements.
Maintain a structured repository of contract management standards templates lessons learned and training materials.
Facilitate sharing of lessons learned and best practices across projects.
Benchmark internal and external industry practices and recommend improvements to the Contract Management Framework.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen contract management maturity across the portfolio.
8. Interim Contracts Management
When required and subject to agreed governance boundaries act as interim Contracts Manager during contract drafting negotiation or mobilisation phases ensuring continuity of contract management support and appropriate handover to the appointed project Contracts Manager.
We are looking for people with:
Proven experience managing contracts throughout the entire lifecycle: contract strategy tendering and procurement contract negotiation contract administration claims dispute management and close-out.
Experience with FIDIC Contracts (Red Yellow White Green Blue Silver Books) and well as with bespoke EPC Design & Build and reimbursable contracts concession O&M or interface agreements
Ability to interpret and apply contractual mechanisms identify potential claims assess time and cost impact of claims and Variations
Experience with Dispute Board and Arbitration processes is a plus
Experience developing and working with project standards and delivering project assurance from a preservation of contractual entitlement perspective
Experience in developing reports and performance insights for contracts management
Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders and project teams in a matrix organisation without direct authority.
Excellent English written and verbal communication presentation and facilitation skills. Any knowledge of other languages is a plus.
Degree or equivalent experience in engineering construction management quantity surveying law commercial management project management or a related discipline.
Relevant professional qualifications such as FIDIC Certified Contract Manager MRICS MCIArb PMP or equivalent are advantageous.
Minimum 5 years of contracts management experience in construction infrastructure engineering energy ports industrial or major capital projects
Experience from a major civil infrastructure construction project is a major advantage
3 years of port industry experience terminal construction or upgrade experience is a plus.
We are looking for people who consistently puts customers first leads by example with respect for people delivers results with integrity and drives continuous improvement by solving problems at the root developing people and raising standards every day.
Continuous improvement mindset:we are looking for someone who brings a thoughtful improvement mindsetcurious about how work gets done and motivated to make meaningful sustainable improvements over time.
Were excited to hear from you!
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Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race colour gender sex age religion creed national origin ancestry citizenship marital status sexual orientation physical or mental disability medical condition pregnancy or parental leave veteran status gender identity genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.
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About Company
APM Terminals has been lifting standards for developing and operating ports and container terminals for over half a century. With a unique position as the leading container terminal concession partner for local and national partners, advanced products for our shipping line and landsid ... View more