Contracts Manager

About UsAt Canoco Energy Ltd., we are committed to delivering successful industrial construction projects through safety, quality, collaboration, and integrity. Based in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, we provide reliable construction solutions for the energy and industrial sectors.
We are currently delivering the general mechanical scope for a major energy-transition project at an operating petrochemical facility. The project includes equipment setting, piping, electrical, heat tracing, instrumentation, insulation, and boiler retrofit work, including planned outages, throughout 2027 and 2028.
Join a team where your expertise is valued, collaboration is encouraged, and accountability and excellence are everyday standards.
Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager – Industrial Construction to join our team in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Reporting to the Project Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing and managing all contractual obligations across both prime contracts with project owners and subcontracts with vendors and subcontractors. This role is critical in protecting Canoco's commercial interests, maintaining strong client relationships, managing contractual risks, and ensuring all changes to project scope are properly documented, negotiated, and compensated.
The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of construction contracts experience, including at least 3 years managing owner-facing contracts within industrial, petrochemical, or oil and gas environments. Strong experience in change management, claims, contract negotiations, and subcontract administration is essential.
This is a full-time, on-site position based in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the primary point of contact for the owner's contracts and procurement teams, maintaining strong professional relationships and resolving contractual matters.
Review, interpret, and administer Master Service Agreements (MSAs), purchase orders, general conditions, and special contractual terms, ensuring project teams understand and comply with contractual obligations.
Manage various contract pricing structures, including time-and-materials (T&M), lump-sum, unit-rate agreements, and rate schedules.
Oversee all aspects of change management, including contractual notices, change requests, pricing, negotiations, approvals, and compliance with required notice periods.
Manage Labour, Equipment, and Material (LEM) and field ticket approval processes with project owners, addressing discrepancies and resolving disputes promptly.
Collaborate with project controls to review progress billings, holdbacks, payment terms, and contractual financial obligations.
Lead the preparation, negotiation, and resolution of contractual claims, delays, disruptions, and disputes while maintaining positive client relationships.
Review Requests for Proposals (RFPs), bid terms, and MSA renewals to identify and mitigate contractual risks, including liability limitations, liquidated damages, indemnities, insurance requirements, warranties, and consequential damages.
Develop and implement subcontracting strategies, standard contractual terms, and subcontract agreements that align with prime contract requirements.
Review and approve subcontract awards, contractual terms, change orders, backcharges, and final settlements.
Ensure subcontractor changes are properly documented, evaluated, and submitted to project owners for compensation where applicable.
Ensure compliance with Alberta's Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act across prime contracts and subcontracts.
Work closely with project managers, superintendents, subcontractors, and project controls teams to ensure contractual compliance, cost recovery, and protection of project margins.
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum of 8+ years of experience in construction contracts management, including at least 3 years managing owner-facing contracts within industrial, petrochemical, or oil and gas construction.
Proven experience supporting turnarounds, shutdowns, maintenance projects, or Master Service Agreements (MSAs) with major industrial owners.
Strong working knowledge of time-and-materials (T&M), unit-rate, and lump-sum contracts, including change orders, claims management, and dispute resolution.
Experience reviewing and negotiating prime contracts, subcontracts, commercial terms, and contractual risk provisions.
Working knowledge of Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) contracts, owner-specific MSAs, and Alberta's Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act.
Demonstrated ability to recover costs associated with changed work, negotiate contractual claims, and resolve disputes while maintaining positive client relationships.
Strong written communication skills, with experience preparing contractual notices, formal correspondence, claims documentation, and position papers.
Excellent negotiation, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple contractual priorities, meet critical deadlines, and work collaboratively with project leadership and site supervision.
Degree in engineering, construction management, business, law, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
Professional designations such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Canadian Construction Association (CCA) certification, or similar qualifications are considered assets.
Previous trades experience or a strong field construction background is considered a significant asset.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
Valid driver's licence.
What We Offer
Competitive salary based on experience.
Comprehensive benefits package.
RRSP matching program.
Full-time, on-site position based in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Direct access to company leadership and meaningful decision-making authority.
Opportunity to establish and develop the contracts management function within a growing industrial construction company.
Work with an established local Alberta contractor delivering major industrial and energy-sector projects.
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