Contract Manager

About the Company

Hitachi Rail is a global organisation working across many countries, focused on digital innovation, technology, and infrastructure that connects people and supports sustainable mobility.

Role Overview

This position sits within the Legal, Contracts & Compliance function in Saudi Arabia and supports major railway signalling initiatives in the region. The Contract Manager will oversee the complete contractual journey for large infrastructure projects, making sure obligations are met, risks are controlled, and business interests are protected throughout delivery.

The role is intended for someone who is comfortable in international, high-complexity project environments and who can work closely with project leadership to reduce exposure, avoid disputes, and keep contracts aligned with project goals and governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of contract management activities from award stage through completion and final close-out for railway signalling projects.
• Maintain adherence to contract terms, internal policies, and relevant legal requirements during the project lifecycle.
• Advise project directors, engineering teams, and senior leaders on commercial and contractual matters.
• Spot contractual risks and opportunities, assess their impact, and put mitigation measures in place where needed.
• Handle contract-related letters, notices, records, and formal documentation with clients, partners, and subcontractors.
• Prepare, review, and negotiate variations, change orders, and claims.
• Assist with claim strategy and dispute resolution, including negotiation and settlement efforts.
• Track project progress against contractual commitments and flag potential issues early.
• Work with legal, finance, procurement, and project management teams to ensure consistent contract governance.
• Oversee subcontractor and supplier agreements so they remain aligned with the main contract and project objectives.
• Contribute to commercial forecasts, reporting, and risk reviews connected to contractual matters.
• Keep contract administration processes and document control in line with company standards.
• Support stakeholder engagement and contract negotiations with clients and consortium partners.

Experience and Requirements

• Between 3 and 10 years of professional contract management experience, ideally with multinational organisations and major infrastructure or railway programmes.
• Hands-on experience with complex EPC, turnkey, or railway signalling contracts in international project settings.
• Strong background in contract administration, claims handling, and dispute resolution.
• Experience dealing with public-sector clients and large infrastructure contracts, preferably in Saudi Arabia.
• Solid understanding of project delivery models and commercial risk management in large transportation projects.
• A bachelor’s degree in Law, Engineering, or a related discipline is required.
• A master’s degree in Law, MBA, or Project Management is an added advantage.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English is required.
• Professional certifications or training in contract or commercial management are highly valued.
• Additional exposure to FIDIC contract management or international construction law is beneficial.
• Preferred location note: the role mentions Makkah city in Saudi Arabia, while the job location is listed as Medina, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
• Preferably a Saudi national.

Preferred Skills

• Strong knowledge of common infrastructure contract frameworks such as FIDIC or GTPL-based agreements.
• Excellent negotiation skills with a practical, solution-oriented approach.
• Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving ability.
• Effective communication and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Capability to work across multiple interfaces in complex, multicultural environments.
• Strategic balance between protecting commercial interests and supporting collaborative delivery.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work with a multinational organisation with affiliates around the world.
• Competitive salary package aligned to experience, plus additional perks.
• Annual discretionary bonus based on performance.
• Medical and life insurance coverage for the employee and family.
• Schooling allowance to help cover children’s education costs.
• Access to learning and development programmes for continued career growth.

Equal Opportunity

Hitachi Rail states that it values diversity across background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and worldview, and aims to maintain an inclusive workplace.