Prime Contract Manager

Job description

Prime Contract Manager The Prime Contract Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day administration, interpretation, and governance of the Project Alliance Agreement and its associated documents, ensuring the Alliance’s contractual and commercial position is protected while supporting timely, best-for-project decisions within an open-book, collaborative environment. Acting as the primary contract adviser to the AMT and delivery teams, the role provides guidance on Owner directions, scope variations, adjustment events, payments, reporting, audit, risk/reward, completion, and issue resolution, while working closely with the Owner’s Representative, Alliance leadership and management teams, the Alliance Auditor, legal counsel, project controls, finance, procurement, and package teams. The position also serves as deputy to the Commercial and Governance Manager when required and is expected to build the capability necessary to step into the role as a future successor. This role is based out of office in Toronto, ON. What You Will Be Working On Lead the day-to-day administration and interpretation of the Project Alliance Agreement and incorporated documents; provide clear, practical advice on obligations, approvals, authorities, rights, timelines and required records. Review proposed and issued Owner directions; determine whether they may constitute scope variations or adjustment events; coordinate cost, schedule, risk and technical assessments; prepare required reports and secure approvals before implementation. Draft, review and issue contractual notices, responses, reservation-of-rights letters and formal correspondence; maintain response deadlines and ensure early notification of emerging issues. Prepare and quality-check papers, recommendations and decision records for Alliance management and leadership forums; confirm compliance with delegated authority, governance plans and decision requirements. Lead cross-functional commercial reviews with delivery, design, construction, planning, project controls, risk, finance and procurement to establish entitlement, mitigation, value for money and implementation strategy. Support and challenge the application of Actual Cost, Fee, payment, holdback, target cost adjustments, final account and risk/reward mechanisms; coordinate with finance, cost control and the Alliance Auditor. Maintain the prime contract obligations matrix and change, notice, direction, decision, approval and issue registers; ensure records are complete, traceable, secure and audit-ready. Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with the Owner’s Representative and Alliance participants; resolve issues at the lowest practical level and prepare escalations or expert referrals when required. Review significant procurement and subcontract matters for prime contract compliance, required approvals and flow-downs, including key subcontractor documents, direct agreements, affiliated subcontracts, liens, insurance, bonding and securities. Identify and manage prime contract risks and opportunities; coordinate legal, insurance, surety and tax advice; ensure mitigation actions are reflected in forecasts, governance papers and delivery plans. Manage, mentor and quality-assure prime contract and commercial staff; set objectives, distribute workload, provide training and build a resilient succession and knowledge-transfer plan. Lead contractual readiness for completion, defects, certificates, final payment and close-out; coordinate outstanding obligations, warranties, records, audits and handover. What We Are Looking For Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Construction Management or related field, with formal training in contract law, contract administration, commercial management, negotiation, change management, and dispute avoidance/resolution. 15+ years of progressive experience on large, complex construction or infrastructure projects (preferably rail/transit or regulated environments), including 7+ years in senior contract administration, commercial or prime contract advisory roles with leadership responsibility. Strong expertise administering complex prime contracts across the full lifecycle (design through close-out), including change management, contractual notices, commercial entitlement, payment, audit, and issue resolution, with the ability to integrate cost, schedule, risk, and technical inputs to support decision-making. Experience working with public-sector owners and in collaborative delivery models (JV, consortium, alliance, open-book/target-cost), with proven ability to prepare executive-level materials, manage high-value negotiations, and work with senior stakeholders, legal counsel, and auditors. Proficiency with key tools and systems including Aconex (or equivalent), MS Office, SharePoint, contract registers and dashboards, cost/ERP and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI), and other supporting platforms for document control, risk, and commercial management. For Those Who Seek to Redefine The greatest achievements in history are borne from the greatness within people – where human potential meets vision, and passion fuels evolution. Unlocking this potential is the most important thing we do at Bird. As a leader in Canadian construction for over 100 years, the impact of our team is etched deeply within the core of our legacy. Beyond Bird, this impact is felt in the fundamental aspects of our everyday lives. From the critical infrastructure we depend on, to the energy and resources that keep us moving - we are powering our communities and shaping Canada’s skylines coast-to-coast-to-coast. Entrenched in the foundation of a culture built more than a century ago is an enduring quest to reimagine what is possible. Our impact is greater than ever, and we are looking for those who seek to redefine their story. What We Believe In We Put Safety First A healthy and safe work environment is non-negotiable. We build a culture of operational and psychological safety through engagement, learning and leadership. We Lead With Honesty We speak and act with integrity, clarity and care so people can trust our word and our work. Being honest means we can deliver the best outcomes and consistent results. We Are Stronger Together Success is a team effort. Our inclusive workplace enables our combined expertise, humility and creativity to unlock our greater potential. We Are Driven To Do Great Work We built our name on quality. We have a passion for excellence in our work and relationships that honours our businesses and our industry. We Create Opportunity Rooted in a solid foundation, we adapt and grow to face the future. We are committed to elevating each other to chart the best path forward in an evolving world. At Bird, we value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and believe it is essential to our success. We will continue to listen, learn, and take action in our commitment to building progress in our organization, and the industry as a whole. Cultivating an environment where all employees feel included, seen, and have a sense of belonging is core to Bird’s culture. We commit to proactively employing a workforce that reflects the communities in which we work, fostering an environment of continuous learning, and never compromising on our values.