Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager
- Location:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Contract Type:
Permanent. Full time, onsite, with occasional travel. Requisition .

As part of Bouygues Construction's Public Works division,
VSL International participates in the construction of major technical structures and guarantees their structural safety and durability: transport infrastructure (bridges, tunnels), industrial and energy production structures, and commercial buildings.

VSL’s business is based on four areas of expertise:

• Structural systems and technologies
• Civil engineering
• Foundations and soil engineering
• Preservation, structural repairs, renovation and optimization of structures.

VSL has 4,000 employees at 25 locations worldwide (Asia and Oceania, Middle East, Europe, Latin America, Canada).

We are seeking an experienced Project Contracts Manager to join VSL in a senior commercial and contractual leadership role. Acting as the central contract management lead across the project lifecycle, this role will be responsible for managing contractual risk, compliance, change, claims and commercial protections across major infrastructure and industrial projects. Reporting directly to the Managing Director and working closely with the Group Legal team in France, the role will support successful project execution through robust contract administration, stakeholder management and dispute avoidance.

• Act as the central contractual lead across allocated projects, providing strategic contract management support and commercial protection.
• Lead negotiation, review and finalisation of contracts with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Manage contract administration throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with obligations and terms.
• Identify contractual risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect project and business interests.
• Maintain accurate records of contract documentation, correspondence and contractual notices.

• Lead management of change orders, compensation mechanisms and contractual claims.
• Support preparation, substantiation and negotiation of complex claims and commercial strategies.
• Manage and resolve disputes relating to contract performance, including mediation or liaison with legal counsel where required.
• Support contractual close‑out and final account agreement where relevant.

• Act as a key point of contact for project teams on contractual matters and obligations.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on contract interpretation, risk and compliance matters.
• Liaise with external legal counsel and collaborate closely with Group Legal where required.
• Support contractual arrangements within consortium and joint venture delivery structures.

• Prepare and present reports on contract performance, compliance and risk exposure to stakeholders.
• Ensure all contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations and governance requirements.
• Maintain alignment between contract management processes, project controls and reporting requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline, or Law degree with construction experience (or equivalent).
• 8+ years’ experience, including at least 3 years in Contract Management.
• Proven experience on major infrastructure or industrial projects.
• Experience managing contracts within Consortium or Joint Venture environments.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, claims and contractual risk management.
• Strong negotiation skills, analytical thinking and problem‑solving capability.
• Arabic and English required;
  French would be advantageous.

• Strong commercial and contractual leadership mindset.
• Strategic thinker with strong risk management capability.
• Confident communicator able to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Structured, organised and detail‑oriented.
• Resilient and adaptable in complex, high‑value project environments.
• Committed to ethics, integrity, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Strong commitment to health, safety and protecting colleagues and stakeholders.

Interested? Apply now and let's build the great structures of tomorrow together!