Contracts Manager - Data Centers
Schlumberger
Houston, TX
Description
Come join us at SLB New Energy & Industrial and be part of a global company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet
SLB New Energy & Industrial (NEI) is a division of SLB; our portfolio includes ventures in carbon capture and sequestration, geothermal power, energy storage, sustainable battery-grade lithium, hydrogen and Data center infrastructure solutions. To know more about NEI please visit https://www.slb.com/about/driving-energy-innovation/scaling-new-energy-systems
Our Data Center infrastructure solutions business provides Innovative and cost-effective solutions that enable building faster, smarter and more resilient data centers. Our modular infrastructure solutions scale AI and cloud computing capacity while minimizing capital risk and deployment delays. From design and supply chain to commissioning and operations, by standardizing components and relocating labor to controlled offsite environments, we help reduce costs, improve lead times, and lower construction risk while ensuring quality and global repeatability. To know more about our Data Centers Infrastructure solutions please visit https://www.slb.com/products-and-services/scaling-new-energy-systems/data-center-infrastructure-solutions
SLB is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Contracts Manager to manage all contractual and commercial activities across Data Center projects, serving as the central link between the client contract and all subcontract agreements. The Project Contract Manager maintains full visibility of project execution, continuously referencing actual events and decisions against contractual obligations and rights. Acting as the project’s commercial advisor, this role ensures that both client and subcontractor relationships are managed in strict alignment with contractual terms, proactively protecting the company’s position while enabling smooth project delivery. The role takes ownership of contract compliance, change management, and commercial risk mitigation throughout the full project lifecycle, including early works, phased construction, commissioning, and contract close‑out, and has proven experience operating under GMP and progressive GMP delivery models with open‑book cost management.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Administer the prime contract in accordance with contractual notice, certification, and response timeframes, including tracking, assessing, and managing all changes through a disciplined change order process.
- Maintain awareness of daily project activities, linking site events and decisions to contractual requirements and obligations.
- Provide timely advice to the Project Manager and functional leads regarding entitlement, risk exposure, and compliance with notice requirements.
- Lead contractual assessment of changes, variations, and potential claims, including entitlement evaluation, valuation of work performed, and tracking through resolution.
- Prepare and issue formal correspondence, notifications, and claims to clients and subcontractors in line with contractual procedures.
- Lead review and negotiation of subcontract terms and variations, ensuring consistency with client contract requirements.
- Coordinate with project controls to align change management, cost, and schedule impacts with contractual submissions.
- Supervise and mentor Contract Administrators managing day-to-day administration of client and subcontract agreements.
- Administer contracts executed under GMP, progressive GMP, or cost‑plus fee structures, including validation of allowable costs, fee application, contingency drawdown, and reconciliation processes.
- Coordinate closely with Project Controls and Cost Management teams to ensure alignment between GMP development, forecast‑to‑complete, and contractual entitlements.
- Ensure all required bonds, warranties, insurances, and commercial undertakings are in place and compliant with contractual requirements.
- Support establishment and operation of open‑book commercial processes, including cost transparency, backup validation, and management of client audit interactions.
- Assist the commercial close‑out activities, including final account negotiations, contingency reconciliation, shared savings calculations, and settlement of outstanding claims or variations.
Qualifications And Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Law, or Business Administration.
- 15+ years of demonstrable experience managing large-scale construction or industrial projects including commercial risk management under compressed schedules and evolving scope.
- Strong experience managing both client and subcontractor contracts simultaneously within active project environments.
- Proven capability in understanding contract law, interpreting contract terms and translating them into actionable project guidance.
- Demonstrated success tracking, drafting and managing claims, variations, and correspondence under tight timeframes. Hands on in managing commercial exposure associated with delays, variations, and interface risks, acting as a senior escalation point for contractual conflict resolution.
- Familiarity with project controls systems and cost management principles.
- Proven experience delivering projects under GMP, progressive GMP, or cost‑reimbursable/open‑book models, including client audit support and contingency governance.
- Prior experience delivering large-scale data center or mission-critical facility projects is highly preferred.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Professional certification in Contract or Commercial Management (e.g., MRICS, CICES, or IACCM) is preferred.
- Experience with industry‑standard contract templates used in North American data center projects, including AIA, ConsensusDocs, and bespoke owner (hyperscaler) forms, in addition to FIDIC or NEC where applicable is preferred.
- Candidates must be able to legally work and reside in the US, without sponsorship.
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Benefits
International Opportunities
Global adventure, broad exposure, and limitless learning await you. You'll be part of the most multi-cultural and diverse team of experts in any industry, anywhere.
Insurance
Health, vision, and dental insurance for you and your dependents available from day one.
Learning Opportunities
Global adventure, broad exposure, and limitless learning await you. You'll be part of the most multi-cultural and diverse team of experts in any industry, anywhere.
Diverse and Inclusive
Our exceptional and diverse people are the pulse and spirit of who we are. Every day, you will enrich your knowledge in an environment where differences in thought, creativity and experiences are embraced.
About Us
We are a global technology company, driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. Together, we create amazing technology that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all.
Global in outlook, local in practice – and with a united, shared passion for discovering solutions, we hire talented, driven people and support them to succeed, personally and professionally.
SLB is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law.
We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation / modification to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability to assist in the hiring process, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in the interview process, please contact accommodationhotline@slb.com to request assistance. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to.
SLB is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor- priority referral Protected Veterans requested.
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