About this opportunity
McGough Construction lists this Contracts Manager, Industrial opportunity in st paul, Minnesota. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
McGough Construction
Contracts Manager, Industrial
Saint Paul, MN 55110
McGough is a respected partner that brings six generations of experience to high profile, unique and complex construction projects. We take great pride in our people and their extraordinary expertise in planning, development, construction and facility management. McGough employee tenure reflects the commitment and pride we share in our work. Ask anyone who knows us - the caliber of our people sets us apart.
CONTRACTS MANAGER, INDUSTRIAL
The Contracts Manager is an operations-focused commercial leader within McGough’s Industrial operating unit, responsible for managing contract strategy, commercial risk, and negotiations across the full project lifecycle—from early pursuit and FEED through execution, change management, and closeout.
This role bridges project management, estimating, procurement, and field operations, ensuring contract terms align with execution strategy and that commercial risks are actively managed throughout delivery. The Contracts Manager supports integrated EPC and design-build projects across McGough’s core industrial markets including Energy & Power, Industrial Process, and Water/Wastewater.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field
10–15+ years of experience in industrial construction, EPC project management, or commercial/project controls roles
Demonstrated experience managing contracts in EPC, design-build, CMAR, or lump sum delivery models
Strong experience with contract negotiation, change management, and claims avoidance
Proven ability to translate contract requirements into operational execution strategies
Experience working directly with project teams, subcontractors, and clients
Preferred:
Experience with large-scale industrial or process facilities
Experience supporting FEED / FEL phases and progressive contracting models
Experience with dispute resolution, claims management, or commercial strategy
Professional certifications (CCM, PMP, PSP, or equivalent)
Experience supporting procurement on EPC projects
Skills:
Change management and claims avoidance
Strong understanding of construction cost, schedule, and risk drivers
Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills
Ability to translate contract terms into execution strategy
Risk identification, documentation, and dispute resolution
Cross-functional collaboration with operations and project teams
Executive communication and leadership skills
Strategic thinking and problem-solving
Process improvement and Lean mindset
Knowledge of standard construction contract forms (DBIA, AIA, EJCDC, ConsensusDocs)
Proficiency with project controls, contract management, and Microsoft Office tools
Ability to develop commercial standards, templates, and best practices
CORE RESPONSIBLITIES:
Contract Management & Execution
Serve as the primary commercial advisor to Project Managers and Operations teams
Interpret contract requirements and ensure alignment with project execution
Develop and maintain contract compliance strategies across all project phases
Support project teams in understanding key contract provisions
Work with procurement department preparing commercial bid tabs
Ensure proper documentation and communication of contractual matters
Risk Management & Claims Avoidance
Proactively identify and manage commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle
Support development and maintenance of project risk registers
Advise project teams on risk mitigation strategies tied to contract terms
Assist in resolving disputes through negotiation and commercial strategy
Support claims avoidance through proper documentation, communication, and execution alignment
When required, support preparation of claims or defense strategies in coordination with leadership
Subcontract & Procurement Support
Partner with procurement teams in development and negotiation of subcontract agreements
Ensure subcontract terms align with prime contract obligations and risk posture
Support subcontractor selection and bid leveling from a commercial perspective
Advise project teams on subcontractor performance and contractual compliance
Assist in resolving subcontractor disputes and change negotiations
Collaboration & Leadership
Work closely with Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators, and Procurement teams
Provide training and guidance to operations teams on contract awareness and commercial best practices
Lead internal contract review meetings and executive briefings
Foster strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and partners
Support Lean initiatives and continuous improvement practices
Promote a culture of proactive commercial management across projects
Business & Strategy Support
Support development of McGough’s industrial contracting strategies and standard work
Maintain awareness of market trends, contract structures, and risk allocation practices in EPC industry
Contribute to development of contract templates, playbooks, and best practices
Support continuous improvement in commercial processes and tools
Additional Responsibilities
Participate as an active member of the Industrial team
Collaborate across departments to support project success
Attend and participate in company meetings and industry events
Attend training and professional development relevant to the position
Actively participate in company-sponsored events
Support and follow standards of work
Participate in Lean events and support the McGough Way
Other responsibilities as assigned
OFFICE AND TRAVEL:
Office: Based in Corporate or Regional office with hybrid flexibility
Travel: Periodic travel to project sites, client meetings, and negotiations required
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Position involves sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer terminal. Employee must be able to communicate effectively in a typical office environment with a standard level of office noise. Occasional standing, bending, walking and lifting is also required.
Employee will be required to visit construction jobsites, which may expose the employee to dirt, dust, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures. In addition, employee must be able to move around prospective or current project sites. This includes walking on uneven surfaces, walking long distances, and climbing stairs.
In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is $120,000 to $155,000, excluding fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you join McGough, your final base salary will be determined by several factors, including geography, location, skills, education, and experience. Furthermore, we place significant value on pay equity among our current team members as part of any final job offer.
Please note that the range provided above reflects the hiring range for this role. Hiring near the top end of this range would be atypical, as we aim to allow room for future salary growth. Additionally, McGough offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes insurance coverage for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. We also provide generous retirement plans, voluntary benefit plans, parental leave, substantial paid time off, and holiday pay.
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources at
Email:
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.
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Worksite address
st paul, MN, 55130, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.