We are supporting a progressive mining company with the appointment of a Contracts Lead for a major mining project in West Africa.

This is a key project role for an experienced contracts professional who can lead the commercial and contractual management of major construction, infrastructure, mining, and services packages throughout project execution.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Project Director and wider project team to ensure contracts are effectively administered, commercial risks are controlled, contractor performance is managed, and the project achieves strong commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract management and administration across major project packages from award through execution, completion, and close-out.
• Manage the commercial and contractual relationship with EPC/EPCM contractors, construction contractors, consultants, suppliers, and service providers.
• Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with agreed terms, conditions, scope, schedules, and commercial requirements.
• Manage contractual correspondence, notices, variations, claims, extensions of time, disputes, and change orders.
• Review contractor submissions and assess commercial and contractual entitlement.
• Work closely with project controls, procurement, engineering, construction, finance, and legal teams to manage project commercial risk.
• Monitor contractor performance against contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and KPIs.
• Lead commercial negotiations relating to variations, claims, contract amendments, and emerging project requirements.
• Maintain accurate contract registers, commitments, variations, claims, and commercial reporting.
• Identify emerging contractual and commercial risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Support forecasting and provide visibility of potential contractual exposure and cost impacts.
• Ensure appropriate governance, approval processes, and documentation are maintained throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Support contract close-out, final account negotiations, and resolution of outstanding commercial matters.
• Develop strong working relationships with contractors while maintaining appropriate commercial discipline and protecting the company’s interests.

Candidate Profile

• Strong experience in contracts management within mining, minerals processing, infrastructure, construction, or other major capital projects.
• Proven experience administering major construction, EPC, EPCM, equipment, and/or services contracts.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, variations, claims management, change control, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience managing contracts through engineering, construction, commissioning, and project close-out.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to identify and manage contractual risk.
• Confident negotiating with major contractors, suppliers, consultants, and senior project stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of project cost, schedule, scope, and the commercial implications of project changes.
• Ability to work closely with multidisciplinary project teams in a fast-paced execution environment.
• Previous experience working on mining projects in Africa or other remote/international jurisdictions would be highly advantageous.

Ideal Background

The successful candidate may come from an owner’s project team, EPC/EPCM organisation, major contractor, engineering consultancy, or commercial management environment, with a strong track record managing contracts on complex capital projects.

Experience supporting mining projects through construction, commissioning, and ramp-up, particularly involving significant contractor interfaces and complex commercial packages, would be highly relevant.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to play an important role in the delivery of a significant mining project in West Africa.

You will work closely with senior project leadership and have direct responsibility for protecting the company’s commercial position while enabling contractors and project teams to successfully deliver their scope.

For a Contracts Lead who understands major mining projects, can navigate complex commercial relationships, and combines strong contractual knowledge with a pragmatic approach to project delivery, this represents an excellent opportunity to make a tangible impact.

Qualifications/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Business, or related discipline.
• Significant contracts and commercial management experience within mining or major capital projects.
• Strong experience in contract administration, variations, claims, change management, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience working within owner, EPC, EPCM, or major contractor environments.
• Strong understanding of different contracting strategies and commercial models.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Previous international or African mining project experience preferred.

How to Apply

If you’re ready for a challenging and rewarding role, please send your CV to us at applicants@williamsmining.com.

We’ll be in touch to discuss the opportunity in more detail.