Contracts Specialist - Middle East Region - 100% m/f

ARX is a global network of specialists in engineering, design, and architecture. Our team offers 360 consulting, project management, and technical services in airports, bridges, buildings, cableways, digital innovation, environment, equipment, geology, geotechnics, hydropower, metros, nuclear plants, oil & gas, pipelines, ports, railways, river engineering, roads, traffic, tunnels, and water/wastewater treatment.

With offices across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, our agile task force combines global expertise with local know-how. Our uniquely "glocal" approach allows us to meet the specific needs of each community while incorporating international best practices. ARX values individuals and fosters innovation, sustainability, and professional growth.

ARX is expanding into the Middle East with new offices in the UAE and KSA. As part of this expansion, we are recruiting for the following role in Dubai.

Contracts Specialist - Middle East Region

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Specialist (100% full time, m/f) to support the Regional Contracts Director. The role involves administering contracts, monitoring compliance with regional regulations, and managing contractual and commercial risks across our Middle East portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Support the Regional Contracts Director in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating consultancy agreements, sub-consultant agreements, NDAs, teaming and joint venture agreements, framework agreements, and other project-related contracts with clients, partners, and subcontractors throughout the Middle East.
• Provide day to day contractual support to project managers and engineering teams, interpreting scope, deliverables, obligations, and key contract terms.
• Review tender documents, RFPs, RFQs, and client invitations to bid; identify contractual, commercial, and risk issues and propose qualifications, clarifications, and mitigations for the Contracts Director's review.
• Maintain the regional contracts register, contract database, and document repository, ensuring accurate, complete, and up to date records of all executed agreements, amendments, variations, and related correspondence.
• Track key contractual milestones, obligations, notices, renewal and expiry dates, performance security validity, and limitation periods, and proactively alert project and management stakeholders.
• Assist in managing variations, change orders, claims, and disputes, including preparing contractual notices, correspondence, and supporting documentation in accordance with contract requirements.
• Monitor compliance with contract terms, internal policies, delegation of authority, and applicable laws and regulations across jurisdictions (UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt).
• Support the development, rollout, and continuous improvement of standard contract templates, playbooks, checklists, and contract management procedures.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders-project delivery, business development, finance, HR, insurance, and QHSE-and external counsel as required to ensure timely resolution of contractual matters.
• Assist in delivering internal awareness sessions and briefings for staff on contract management, key risk areas, regulatory updates, and lessons learned.
• Carry out any other duties reasonably required by the Regional Contracts Director from time to time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Master's degree in Construction Law, Construction Management, or a related discipline is an advantage.
• 8-12 years of relevant experience in contract administration or management within an international design engineering firm, PMC, or construction environment.
• Minimum three years' experience in the Middle East region; broader GCC exposure (UAE, KSA, Qatar) highly desirable.
• Experience supporting consultancy side contracts as opposed to purely contractor side.
• Working knowledge of the FIDIC suite of contracts-White Book, Red Book, Yellow Book, Silver Book-and bespoke consultancy agreements.
• Familiarity with regional commercial, civil, and labour laws across the Middle East (e.g., UAE Federal laws, KSA procurement law) and the regulatory environment for engineering consultancies.
• Practical experience in contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
• Awareness of dispute resolution mechanisms in the region (arbitration, expert determination, mediation).
• Proficiency in MS Office and experience with contract lifecycle management tools is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and ability to produce clear, well structured written work.
• Sound judgment in balancing legal and contractual risk against commercial objectives and project realities.
• Effective stakeholder management; collaborative team player across multiple offices, time zones, and cultures.
• Self motivated, well organised, and able to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• High standards of integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professional ethics.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Memberships: RICS (MRICS), CIArb (MCIArb).

Additional Skills

• Experience supporting design and project management contracts on mega projects or government led programmes in the Middle East.
• Proven ability to support multiple, concurrent high value and complex contracts under tight deadlines.
• Middle East experience is mandatory.

We Offer

• Opportunity to collaborate with a forward thinking, synergistic, and innovative team.
• Exposure to cutting edge projects driving Middle East/North African regional development.
• Personalised professional growth and developmental avenues tailored to your career aspirations.

Will manage other people: No. Job type: Permanent. Career level: Employee. Sector: Construction/Civil Engineering. Role: Engineering.