Senior Mep Contract Manager Consultant

CME
is an engineering and construction company, belonging to Group Vinci/Cobra IS, with extensive expertise in energy transmission and distribution infrastructure, built & design solutions for industry, data center and energy sector, delivering integrated solutions for critical and complex projects, being leader in Portuguese market. Supported by a highly qualified multidisciplinary team, we are specialized in the construction of MEP systems for Data Centers, ensuring reliable, efficient, and sustainable mission-critical facilities that meet the highest industry standards
About the Job:
CME
is seeking an
Senior MEP Contract Manager Consultant (m/f) – FIDIC Specialist (Contractor's Side)
About the Role:
We are a leading MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) Contractor currently executing high-stakes, critical infrastructure projects in Sines, Portugal. We are seeking a highly experienced, commercially sharp
Senior MEP Contract Manager (m/f)
with deep expertise in
FIDIC Contracts (specifically Yellow and Red Books)
to protect our commercial interests, manage risk, and drive successful project delivery from the Contractor's perspective.
Operating in a complex technical and geotechnical environment (including Eurocode 8 seismic compliance for MEP systems), you will bridge the gap between complex engineering claims and strict contractual clauses, ensuring our variations, extensions of time, and financial rights are fully secured.
Key Responsibilities:
Contract Administration (Contractor's Side)
: Act as the primary gatekeeper for all contractual matters under FIDIC Red and Yellow Books, ensuring the company strictly adheres to contractual timelines, duties, and notice periods.
Claims & Dispute Management:
Identify, draft, and substantiate high-quality commercial and time-related claims (Extension of Time – EoT, and Prolongation/Disruption Costs) in accordance with FIDIC Clauses 20 and 21.
Strict Time-Bar Control:
Ensure all contractual notices of claim are formally submitted within the mandatory 28-day FIDIC window to protect the company from losing financial or time entitlements.
Variation Orders (Clause 13):
Review, evaluate, and negotiate variation orders stemming from engineering, design modifications, or site condition changes (e.g., Eurocode 8 support redesigns, seismic adjustments, soil conditions) before execution.
Risk & Subcontractor Management:
Identify contractual risks in the main contract and mitigate them; oversee the contract management of specialized MEP subcontractors to prevent trickle-up liabilities.
Client & Engineer Interface
: Lead commercial and contractual meetings with the Client and the Engineer, defending the MEP Contractor's position firmly and professionally in English.
Requirements:
Academic Background
: Master's or Bachelor's degree in
Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering
, or a closely related technical field.
Experience: 10+ years of solid experience
in Contract Management on large-scale international projects, strictly representing the
Contractor
(applications with only Client/Employer or Supervision background will not be prioritized).
Industry Expertise:
Proven track record in Critical Infrastructures such as Data Centers, Petrochemical Plants, Refineries, or large industrial complexes.
FIDIC Mastery:
Expert knowledge of the FIDIC suite, with deep practical experience handling
FIDIC Yellow Book (Plant and Design-Build) and FIDIC Red Book.
Sines Framework Knowledge:
Familiarity with the operational, logistic, and technical challenges of industrial projects in the Sines region (including exposure to Eurocode 8 seismic requirements for MEP pipelines and structures) is highly valued.
Languages:
Full professional proficiency in
English
(written and spoken) is mandatory, as all contract documentation is in English. Fluency in Portuguese is required for local site interaction.
Mobility:
Flexibility for a remote/hybrid model with a strict commitment to regular onsite presence in
Sines
for critical meetings, site audits, and negotiations.
Benefits
A Competitive Compensation:
package aligned with the candidate's experience and qualifications and access to corporate benefits or attractive day rate for B2B Consultants;
Logistics Support:
Covered travel/stay expenses for site visits or a company vehicle (for permanent roles);
High-Profile Project:
involvement in one of the fastest-growing critical infrastructure hubs in Southern Europe;
Opportunities for professional growth
through continuous training, technical development, and involvement in the delivery of complex, mission-critical Data Centre projects;
The opportunity to join a well-established and growing organization
, recognized for its expertise in Engineering and Construction,