About the Company

Founded in Cape Town, YSay delivers focused technical and transactional expertise designed to tackle complex, client specific challenges with engineering and project related precision.

As we expand our capabilities across engineering, project delivery, and commercial advisory, we are launching a nationwide recruitment drive in South Africa. We are seeking accomplished commercial and contractual specialists to lead our contract management functions, safeguard client investments, and drive transactional clarity on complex initiatives.

Why Join YSay?

• Innovation at the heart of every project
• Growth through mentorship and leadership pathways
• Impact on Sectors, Industries, Communities, and SMMEs in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

About the Position

We are looking for experienced Contract Managers to oversee contract administration, commercial risk management, and transactional execution across multi-disciplinary engineering and infrastructure projects.

In this role, you will act as the key commercial authority, interpreting conditions of contract, mitigating legal and financial risk, managing disputes and variations, and ensuring rigorous compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Contract Administration & Management: Lead end to end administration of standard forms of contract (NEC, FIDIC, GCC, and JBCC), ensuring strict compliance with procedural, time-frame, and governance requirements.
• Commercial Risk & Dispute Management: Identify potential contractual liabilities, assess risks, and formulate proactive mitigation strategies. Lead early warning mechanisms, claim evaluations, and dispute resolution processes.
• Variations & Claims Analysis: Review, draft, and negotiate claims for extension of time (EOT), compensation events, scope variations, and financial adjustments in alignment with contractual provisions.
• Transactional Advisory: Advise project leaders and external clients on procurement strategies, contract drafting, special conditions, and risk allocation during tendering and execution.
• Financial & Subcontractor Governance: Oversee payment certifications, final accounts, and subcontractor agreements, maintaining tight commercial control and audit readiness.

Required Skills & Educational Background

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree or BTech in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
  • Formal postgraduate qualifications in relevant Construction disciplines or professional memberships (e.g., RICS, ASAQS, or SACPCMP) are highly advantageous.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 6–10+ years of contract management and commercial administration experience within the South African engineering, infrastructure, or construction sectors.
• Key Skills & Expertise:
  • Expert, working knowledge of standard South African and international contract suites (NEC3/4, FIDIC, GCC, JBCC).
  • High-level negotiation, dispute resolution, and contractual drafting skills.
  • Strong commercial acumen with deep expertise in delay analysis, claim evaluation, and financial forecasting.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex legal/contractual arguments clearly to technical and executive stakeholders.

Sectors

We are seeking resources for opportunities in various sectors:

• Energy (Nuclear, Renewable, Oil & Gas, etc.), 
• Mining, 
• Manufacturing, 
• Infrastructure Development,
• Construction.