Contract manager

Strategist. Negotiator. Business Partner.
As the Group Contract Manager, you combine contract management expertise with commercial awareness and a pragmatic mindset. You identify contractual risks, protect Sarens’ interests and help the business find workable solutions in an international environment.
From tendering and contract negotiations to project execution, claims and contract administration, you ensure that contractual obligations, risks and opportunities are properly understood and managed. Complex contracts, international stakeholders, negotiations and close cooperation with the business make this a challenging and varied role.

Join the force behind #NothingTooHeavyNothingTooHigh.
We’re searching for a Contract Manager to join our Legal and Contract Management team and support the entire Sarens Group worldwide. As Group Contract Manager, you will act as a key contractual business partner for our different entities, business units and departments. You will support the organization throughout the entire contractual lifecycle: from tendering and pre-signature risk assessment to contract execution, contract administration and claims management. Your focus is not only on identifying contractual risks, but also on translating them into practical solutions that allow the business and our projects to move forward in a controlled way.

Your job as a Group Contract Manager in a nutshell:

• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating a broad range of commercial contracts, including customer and supplier agreements, subcontracting agreements, framework agreements, service agreements, NDAs and other business-related contracts.
• Providing contractual support during tender and bidding processes, including pre-signature advice to Sales, Operations, Finance, Procurement and other departments.
• Analyzing tender and contract terms, identifying contractual risks and opportunities and ensuring that the required contract screening, risk assessment and internal approvals are properly completed.
• Drafting appropriate qualifications, conditions and contractual wording for tenders and providing clear, practical and conclusive advice to the business.
• Negotiating contractual provisions with customers, suppliers, subcontractors and other business partners.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating legal, contractual and commercial risks, while taking the operational and commercial reality of the business into account.
• Supporting project and operational teams during the execution and administration of contracts and helping them properly understand and apply contractual provisions.
• Providing guidance regarding guarantees, bonds, insurance certificates, liabilities, warranties, indemnities, payment conditions and other contractual obligations.
• Working closely with Project Management to monitor changes in scope, budget and timing, as well as contractual entitlements resulting from variations or additional work.
• Supporting the timely preparation and submission of contractual notices, extensions of time and claims, including maintaining the required contractual records.
• Assisting with contractual correspondence towards clients, interim payment applications and the preparation and settlement of final accounts after project completion.
• Supporting the selection and contracting of subcontractors and helping secure appropriate B2B terms and conditions.
• Advising on and following up legal and commercial claims and disputes, including insurance and non-insurance claims, court proceedings, adjudications, mediations and arbitrations.
• Supporting negotiations and settlements with the aim of preventing or resolving disputes across the world.
• Coordinating and cooperating with external lawyers, experts, brokers and claims handlers when specialized support is required.
• Contributing to the implementation and continuous improvement of Group legal and contract management policies, procedures, contract templates and contracting processes.
• Providing training, workshops, guidance and coaching to colleagues and business units on contract management, contract administration, insurance risk management and related contractual topics.
• Supporting or conducting contract audits within the business units to monitor compliance with Sarens policies and procedures.
• Adhering to Sarens SHEQ and compliance requirements and actively contributing to safety, compliance and continuous improvement.

In this role, you will report to the Group Legal Director and support the Sarens Group.
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ABOUT YOU.

We are looking for a pragmatic, commercially minded and confident Contract Manager who can combine solid legal knowledge with the realities of an international, project-driven business.

You have excellent analytical skills and are able to quickly identify the key risks and opportunities in complex contractual documentation. Rather than simply identifying legal and commercial issues, you translate them into clear recommendations and workable solutions for the business.

You are comfortable taking a clear position and defending it during negotiations, while remaining diplomatic and solution-oriented.

You understand that successful contract management requires finding the right balance between legal protection, commercial interests and operational feasibility.

With your strong communication skills, you can work effectively with different stakeholders, management levels and cultures. You are hands-on, structured and autonomous, but know when to escalate important risks or involve other legal specialists.
You enjoy working close to the business and projects, where contractual decisions have a direct operational and commercial impact.

The profile requirements:

• Master’s degree in Engineering/business administration
• Ideally more than 15 years of relevant professional experience in contract management, commercial law, project management.
• Experience within an international, industrial or project-driven environment is a strong asset.
• Strong experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Good understanding of key contractual topics in the construction industry and in general about principles such as liability, indemnification, warranties, insurance, payment terms, termination, delay damages, confidentiality and dispute resolution.
• Experience with complex customer, supplier, subcontractor or project contracts and contract administration.
• Experience with claims, variations and dispute management .
• Experience with FIDIC, NEC based contracts and/or TCI contracts
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to translate complex contractual and legal matters into clear and practical business advice.
• Strong knowledge of English is essential. Knowledge of Spanish, French or Dutch is a strong asset.
• Comfortable working with colleagues and stakeholders across different countries and cultures and providing training or guidance when required.

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 ABOUT US.

Our noble mission at SARENS? To be the reference in crane rental, heavy lifting and engineered transport. “Nothing too heavy, Nothing too high” is not just a baseline, it reflects our behavior as an organization and the mindset in which we believe.
Every day we strive to provide our customers with the best possible service, with a strong focus on safety and quality. This becomes reality through our five core values, our hands-on mentality, our extensive fleet of technical equipment and, above all, our employees. Working at Sarens means becoming part of an international Belgian family business with a pragmatic culture and global reach. Our international activities provide a challenging environment where you will be exposed to different projects, jurisdictions, customers and contractual frameworks. We encourage personal development through training, on-the-job learning and opportunities to grow horizontally and vertically within the organization.
You give some, You get some.
As Contract Manager, you help protect Sarens’ interests while enabling the business and our projects to move forward. Your ability to recognize risks, negotiate strong agreements, manage contractual entitlements and find pragmatic solutions will have a direct impact across the Group.
International exposure, complex contracts, project involvement, negotiations, claims, business impact, variety and great colleagues ensure a challenging and rewarding role.

• Market conform salary according to seniority
• Extensive exposure to international contracts, projects and business activities across the Sarens Group.
• Interesting career and development opportunities – You own your future!
• A nice working atmosphere with experienced and helpful colleagues.
• Place of employment: TBD.