Contracts Management Specialist: A Complete Guide
Course Overview
In today’s complex global business environment, contracts are much more than just signed documents—they’re strategic tools for value generation, risk allocation, and governance. The **Contracts Management Specialist** programme provides an in-depth exploration of contract lifecycle management—from formation and procurement strategy, through administration and performance monitoring, to close-out and lessons learned.
Participants will gain both the commercial and legal perspectives required to manage contracts in international contexts, handle variations and claims, negotiate effectively, and apply advanced frameworks to protect their organisation’s interests while enabling business agility and growth.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the full spectrum of contracts management: strategy, procurement, execution, performance, and close-out.
2. Apply structured contracting strategies aligned with business goals and risk appetite.
3. Draft, review and negotiate contract terms that optimise value, allocate risk, and enhance performance.
4. Monitor contract performance, control variations, manage claims, and enforce obligations.
5. Use dispute avoidance and resolution practices, and integrate international contracting frameworks.
6. Drive continuous improvement and governance in contract management practices.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
* Develop a contracting strategy that supports organisational objectives and mitigates exposure.
* Analyse contract templates and clauses to identify risks and negotiation opportunities.
* Manage the contract lifecycle with professional tools: performance metrics, KPIs, change control, claims documentation.
* Negotiate with confidence, using structured approaches and cultural awareness.
* Oversee contract close-out activities, capture lessons learned, and implement improvements for future contracts.
* Demonstrate leadership in contract governance and build cross-functional collaboration between legal, procurement, operations, and finance teams.
Who Should Attend
* Contract Managers, Commercial Managers, and Contract Administrators
* Procurement and Sourcing Specialists with contracting responsibilities
* Project Managers and Engineers involved in contract execution
* Legal and Compliance Professionals focusing on contracts
* Supply Chain, Vendor & Supplier Relationship Managers
* Anyone managing or overseeing contracts in international or multi-jurisdictional environments
Course Outline (5 Days)
Day 1 – Contract Strategy & Procurement Frameworks
* Strategic role of contracts in business and operations
* Contracting models: fixed price, cost-reimbursable, EPC, service, hybrid
* Procurement strategy, sourcing, and contract selection
* Risk allocation and contract strategy alignment
* Workshop: Developing a contracting strategy for a sample project
Day 2 – Contract Formation, Terms and Drafting
* Legal foundations: offer, acceptance, authority, enforceability
* Key clauses: scope, deliverables, time, cost, quality, indemnities, warranties, termination
* Structuring agreements and schedules
* Negotiation fundamentals: preparation, interest vs. position, breach prevention
* Practical session: Drafting and negotiating selected contract terms
Day 3 – Contract Execution & Performance Management
* Contract mobilization: mobilisation plans, roles, governance
* Managing performance: KPIs, SLAs, dashboards, change control, variations
* Financial management: payments, retentions, cost control
* Supplier & subcontractor management: collaboration, innovation, compliance
* Case Study: Performance monitoring and variation management in real-life contract
Day 4 – Claims, Risk & Dispute Avoidance
* Identifying contract risks: time, cost, scope, legal, regulatory, supply chain
* Claims management: notice requirements, entitlement, documentation, settlement
* Dispute avoidance: early warnings, partnering, governance, escalation routes
* Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): mediation, arbitration, litigation
* Role-play: Handling a contract dispute meeting and negotiating resolution
Day 5 – Contract Close-out, Governance & Continuous Improvement
* Contract completion: acceptance, handover, release of guarantees, retention release
* Post-contract evaluation: lessons learned, audits, improvement plans
* Contract governance, ethics and integrity in contracting
* Building contract management maturity: frameworks, tools, culture
* Final Exercise: Presenting a contract lifecycle improvement proposal
Certification
Participants who attend all sessions, actively participate in workshops and simulations, and successfully complete the final exercise will receive the **Professional Certificate in Contracts Management Specialist (PCMS)** by **KE Leaders Training Centre, London**.
Key Benefits
* Gain specialist competency in contract strategy, execution and governance.
* Strengthen negotiating, drafting, monitoring and dispute-resolution skills.
* Improve cross-functional coordination and contracting outcomes.
* Enhance your professional profile with a globally recognised certificate.
* Apply immediately transferable skills across sectors and geographies.
Contact Info:
Enquiry at : admin@keleaders.com
Whatsapp: 0044 790 125 9494
For more details visit our website : www.keleaders.com
