Contracts manager - jobs.archi

David Chipperfield Architects

Location: London, UK

Added on: 28 Dec 2023, Job offer expires on: 30 May 2024

David Chipperfield Architects’s London office (DCAL) is looking to appoint a contracts manager.

The practice is seeking an experienced candidate with legal and commercial experience to negotiate and review contracts, agree design scope, resourcing, fees and expenses, and manage professional insurance cover. The desired candidate must be adept at working on international and UK based architectural contracts, across a variety of typologies and levels of complexity.

Key role and responsibilities

Contract reviews and negotiation:

use legal and commercial experience to review and negotiate contracts, collateral warranties, NDAs and legal documents in order to agree suitable protection for DCAL in its agreements with clients and sub consultants.
draft and amend design contracts, collaboration agreements with other consultants to protect DCAL’s interests, including structuring a project contract to best protect DCAL’s interest and reduce risks
discuss contract issues internally and with clients and collaborators and use judgement to recommend the correct resolution of issues
work with external and overseas legal and insurance advisors
push for contract documentation to be agreed in a timely manner
work closely with the leadership team to understand key opportunities requiring review of contract documentation
prepare complete contract documentation for internal sign off and then work with the leadership team to present and agree with client
agree appropriate design scopes, resources, fees and expenses
work with the leadership team to capture the appropriate scope, deliverables and timelines for DCAL in agreements
work with the leadership team to define the suitable team size to carry out the design work
work with the leadership and finance teams to generate the internal project budget
analyse and recommend suitable fee levels based on fee benchmarking and recognition of DCAL’s value proposition
analyse contracts and make amendment recommendations to ensure DCAL specific process orientated approach to project development is protected and embedded
work with the leadership and finance teams to agree a suitable expenses estimate
provide a summary of the key obligations under the contract

Insurance:

ensure professional insurance cover matching contract terms, including the management and communication with leadership team and project teams
renewal and set-up of professional insurance ensuring the best cover and financial terms
manage professional insurance potential claims notifications and claims if necessary
renew public liability and employers liability in collaboration with the operations team

Additional responsibilities:

keep all appointments updated and filed
contribute actively to quality management processes to archive and file project information
maintain a contract risk register
provide training and CPDs to staff on legal and contract issues

Skills and experience:

experience carrying out legal and commercial contract reviews, highlighting issues and risks (minimum ten years’ experience)
strength of character to handle high pressure situations such as client contract negotiations, presenting DCAL’s position on contract matters in a firm but amicable manner
judgement to recommend possible ways to resolve contract issues
experience monitoring project appointments and management processes and contracts risk register
drive to push the resolution of fee and contract issues in a timely manner
excellent drafting skills to prepare and amend commercial and legal documentation, such as design agreements, consultant collaboration agreements, NDAs, fee proposals, scope of services
awareness of scope and resourcing requirements needed to carry out complex international design projects
experience in estimating design fees and expenses
excellent communication skills to present any fee or contract issues in a clear and concise manner
organised to keep contract documents and fee information in good order
personable to build relationships with prospective clients and consultants
experience using rapport project management system is desirable