Principal Contracts Manager (New Builds)

Principal Contracts Manager 

Location: Pasig City, Philippines

Job Level: Managerial

Business Unit: AboitizPower Transition Business Group

Power your future with AboitizPower.

As Principal Contracts Manager, you will provide senior commercial and contracting leadership for new-build and large-scale capital projects for Thermal and Conventional Power Generation projects, leading end-to-end contract strategy, drafting, negotiation, and administration under  International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC)-based Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) frameworks (notably the Silver Book) to secure the most advantageous risk allocation and lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) for the Business Unit and contribute directly to transforming energy for a better world. You will work closely with [team] to deliver results, create positive community impact, and develop your skills in a supportive, purpose-driven environment.

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:

Contract Strategy, Protective Drafting & Administration

• Owner-Side Strategy & Drafting: Leads Owner-side contract strategy and drafting for EPC, equipment supply, and long-term service agreements (LTSAs) for Thermal and other technologies, working from FIDIC-based frameworks (notably the Silver Book). The primary objective is to draft and structure the contract so the Owner’s position is highly protected — such that when claims or disputes arise, the Owner is already defended by the terms.

• Risk & Commercial Structuring: Structures risk allocation, liability, performance security, liquidated damages, and payment/milestone regimes to protect the Owner’s position while remaining bankable.

• Defensive Drafting: Builds defensive drafting into the terms up front — notice regimes, time-bars, concurrent-delay, and force majeure treatment — to close off contractor claims exposure before it materializes.

• Template Management: Develops and maintains contract templates, particular conditions, and standard Owner positions for reuse across the project portfolio.

• Post-Award Administration: Administers contracts post-award — variations, notices, and interface management — in coordination with the project execution team.

• Claims & Dispute Positioning: Supports claims, extension-of-time (EOT), and dispute positioning as they arise, relying on the protective terms established at drafting.

• Claims Defense: Prepares and defends Owner-side positions on claims notices, time-bars, concurrent delay, and force majeure carve-outs.

• Legal Coordination: Coordinates with Legal, ERM, and external counsel on dispute avoidance and resolution strategy.

Strategic Sourcing & Tendering

• Sourcing Execution: Conducts, plans, and executes sourcing strategies and award recommendations, determining gaps and improvement opportunities.

• Tendering & Vendor Selection: Manages the tendering process and right-vendor sourcing (OEMs, EPC contractors, Owner’s Engineers, specialist service providers).

• Supplier Base Development: Develops and qualifies a pool of specialized suppliers for project delivery, including market and should-be cost analytics.

• Contract Endorsement & Approvals: Handles endorsement or approval of contracts within the spending threshold; ensures on-time renewals and maximization of contracted requirements.

• Performance & Close-Out: Manages supplier performance management, contract close-out, and capture of procurement/contracting learnings for succeeding projects.

• Advanced Sourcing Strategies: Develops innovative, TCO-based sourcing and contracting strategies for Thermal and other technologies; monitors effectiveness against a changing market and geopolitical supply-chain environment and makes improvements.

• Counterparty Risk Assessment: Assesses cross-border and cross-cultural counterparty risk (e.g., Chinese SOE and Japanese/global OEM engagement).

• Cross-Border Structuring: Incorporates tax, logistics, and offshore/onshore split considerations into contracting structures.

Business Integration & Execution

• Opportunity & Strategy Alignment: Recommends opportunity identification and analysis and ensures identified contracting plans are implemented, value-maximized, and aligned with management strategies, goals, and objectives.

• Commercial & SCM Management: Manages commercial and supply-chain aspects of executed contracts — rollout to stakeholders, monitoring of contractual submissions and validities, and safe custody of contracts and SCM records.

• Supply Chain Risk Mitigation: Manages supply-chain risk and ensures continuity of supply; checks and implements mitigation plans for identified risks.

• Policy Compliance: Works in synergy with AP SCM to ensure SCM policies and contracts are compliant with AP policies.

Relationship Management

• Stakeholder Mapping: Maps key stakeholders across project, legal, ERM, and executive functions; uses agreed reporting and communication structures to keep stakeholders adequately informed of initiatives.

• Supplier Relationships: Develops constructive, long-term relationships with key suppliers, ensuring adherence to the organization’s safety, health, and environment policies and community involvement.

• Vendor List Maintenance: Creates and updates the vendor list in close collaboration with PDE and the project management team.

Leadership & Others

• • Team Development: Coaches, trains, and develops direct reports; establishes performance measures and goals and conducts performance reviews.

  • Budget Oversight: Checks and approves the department budget; prepares the annual training budget as input for Personnel Cost.

  • Administrative Leadership: Delivers the administrative, human-resources, and other support functions inherent to and expected of a team leader; performs other tasks as assigned.

  • HSEQ & Information Security Compliance: Conforms to and reports on the company’s Quality, Environmental, OH&S, and Information Security Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001/OHSAS 18001, ISO 27001); protects information assets per ISMS policies.

To Succeed in this Role, we need someone who has advanced experience in:

• Contract Drafting & Administration (FIDIC / EPC)
• Claims & Dispute Management
• Negotiations (including cross-cultural / cross-border)
• Strategic Sourcing (Project Procurement)
• Supply Chain Management Strategy & Execution
• Customer Focus / Stakeholder Management
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Project & Risk Management (including ESG)

What You Will Need:

Experience

• Professional: At least 8–10 years in project procurement and/or EPC contract management, with demonstrated ownership of major-project contracting.

• Leadership: At least 3–5 years of leadership experience.

• Project Experience: Direct exposure to new-build power / large-scale CAPEX projects strongly preferred.

Education

• Any 4-year engineering, law, business-related, or Behavioral Science degree.

• A post-graduate qualification in engineering, law, or business is an advantage.

License / Certification

• No license required.

Our Culture & Commitment to You: Powering Your Future

At AboitizPower, we honor you not just as a professional, but as a person. Our promise is to provide a workplace where you can thrive through:

• Powered by People: We value your unique identity and ensure you feel supported, trusted, and empowered.

• Own Your Growth: Learn, grow, and advance through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and meaningful learning experiences.

• Why We Work: Purpose is part of every job here. Your efforts directly contribute to community upliftment, sustainability, and shaping the future of energy.

• Empowering Culture: Bring your full self to a workplace grounded in belonging and collaboration.

• Recognition that Matters: We celebrate both visible milestones and steady efforts, honoring the dedication you bring to our mission.

About Us

AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. We are among the largest power producers in the Philippines, with a balanced portfolio of assets located across the country. We are also a major producer of renewable energy, with several hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar power generation facilities.

Together, let’s power your future.