Sr Construction Contracts Manager

About the Company

Citra is a dynamic, technology-enabled property developer and construction group with a vertically integrated value chain, encompassing property development, architecture, structural design, manufacturing, and construction. Citra employs over 100 people, primarily based at its global service hub in Cape Town, South Africa, with operations in the Western Cape, Switzerland (where the holding company is based), and the US. Citra’s strategy is heavily reliant on its proprietary, sustainable, and high-quality advanced building technology, particularly for its large-scale residential projects.

Position
Summary

Citra is seeking a highly experienced and meticulous Senior Contracts Manager to oversee all contractual aspects of its large-scale residential construction projects in the Western Cape. This is a critical role responsible for managing large scale construction projects of 50-100 units at a time. The current projects are located at Citra’s current major development in Blue Downs called CentralBlue and will expand to our second large-scale project in Somerset West, scheduled to commence in H2 2026.

The ideal candidate has extensive, hands-on experience in construction contract management, a deep understanding of standard industry contracts (particularly JBCC), and a proven ability to manage risk, control costs, and ensure project value.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract Strategy & Procurement:

• In collaboration with the Head of Construction and the QS Team, develop and implement procurement and contract strategies for all South African residential development projects.
• In collaboration with the QS and Property Development Teams, Lead the procurement and tendering process for subcontractors and suppliers.
• Draft, review, and negotiate standard-form construction contracts, primarily JBCC agreements.

2. Contract Administration & Management:

• Administer construction-related contracts throughout the project lifecycle, from inception to close-out.
• Manage contractual correspondence, instructions, and notifications in a timely and professional manner.
• Proactively manage and process claims, variations, extensions of time (EOT) requests, and dispute resolution.
• Ensure all parties, including contractors and consultants, adhere to their contractual obligations.

3. Risk & Compliance Management:

• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks associated with each project.
• Manage contractual disputes, leading negotiations to find commercially viable solutions.
• Ensure all projects are compliant with relevant legislation, building codes, and health & safety regulations.

4. Financial & Commercial Oversight:

• Work closely with the professional team (including Quantity Surveyors) to manage project cost control.
• Review and verify payment applications, valuations, and issue payment certificates.
• Prepare regular reports on contract status, commercial risks, and financial performance for senior management.

5. Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for contractual matters.
• Liaise effectively with subcontractors, suppliers and professional teams (architects, engineers, QS, property development team)  to ensure smooth project execution.
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or Law is required.
• Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of direct experience as a Contracts Manager.
• Specific and proven experience in large-scale residential construction or major property development projects is essential.

• Technical Skills:

• Expert knowledge of South African construction contracts, particularly the JBCC suite, is mandatory.
• Familiarity with FIDIC and NEC contracts is beneficial.
• Strong understanding of construction law, risk management principles, and dispute resolution processes.

• Professional Registration: Professional registration (e.g., PrQS, PrCM, PrEng) is highly advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Meticulous Detail: A keen eye for detail with exceptional accuracy in contract review and administration.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation and dispute resolution skills, with the ability to handle difficult conversations and find common ground.
• Analytical Mindset: Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to make complex contractual issues clear to non-specialists.
• Integrity: Unquestionable personal and professional integrity.
• Autonomy: Ability to work independently, manage a complex workload, and meet strict deadlines.

What Is Offered

• A competitive executive compensation package.
• A critical, hands-on role in delivering major, long-term development projects.
• A stable project pipeline with high visibility for the next decade.
• The opportunity to provide strategic contractual leadership within a growing property portfolio.