Commercial Contracts Manager
Cincinnati, OH
Full Time
Experienced
Melink Solar is a leading commercial solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) company specializing in designing and building solar arrays. The Commercial Contracts Manager is responsible for reviewing, redlining, negotiating, and administering customer and subcontractor agreements for commercial solar EPC projects. This role executes contract negotiation strategies aligned with company risk tolerance, margin objectives, and operational capacity.
The Commercial Contracts Manager partners closely with Business Development, Operations, Project Management, Finance, and Legal to ensure contract terms protect the company while enabling successful project execution.
This role serves as the internal Subject Matter Expert (SME) on assigned agreements and provides guidance regarding contractual risk, compliance, and financial implications.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Negotiation & Strategy
- Negotiate customer-facing EPC agreements, subcontractor agreements, and vendor contracts, including pricing structures, scope language, risk allocation, performance guarantees, and indemnification.
- Execute negotiation strategies aligned with margin targets, risk mitigation standards, and operational feasibility.
- Prepare redlines, counteroffers, and negotiation summaries for leadership review and approval.
- Clearly communicate negotiation updates and key risk items to internal stakeholders, escalating as needed.
Contract Review & Risk Management
- Conduct detailed redline reviews of contracts, distinguishing between business decisions and legal risk issues.
- Partner with Legal (internal or external) to resolve contractual disputes and complex risk provisions.
- Evaluate insurance requirements, liquidated damages, warranties, performance guarantees, change order language, and dispute resolution clauses.
- Ensure executed contracts align with company standards and compliance requirements.
Financial & Performance Oversight
- Collaborate with Finance and Project Teams to assess financial implications of contract terms.
- Analyze margin exposure, escalation clauses, schedule impacts, and performance penalties.
- Review contract performance against agreed-upon terms and assist in enforcing compliance where necessary.
- Support forecasting accuracy by identifying contractual risks affecting revenue recognition or cost exposure.
Stakeholder Management & Account Support
- Maintain strong internal relationships with Business Development, Operations, Engineering, and Construction.
- Serve as SME for assigned contracts, providing guidance to PMs and leadership throughout project lifecycle.
- Participate in client meetings as needed to support contract clarification or renegotiation.
- Assist in dispute resolution and change order negotiations.
Continuous Improvement
- Develop and refine contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation frameworks.
- Identify recurring risk themes and recommend process improvements.
- Support training initiatives for PMs and BD teams on contract risk awareness.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Business, Engineering, Legal Studies, or related field.
- 3+ years of experience reviewing and negotiating contracts in construction, EPC, renewable energy, or related industries.
- Demonstrated experience redlining agreements.
- Strong negotiation and influence skills.
- Ability to interpret financial implications of contract terms.
- High attention to detail with strong risk identification capabilities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive business information.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in commercial solar, renewable energy, or construction EPC environments.
- Experience with customer-facing EPC agreements and subcontractor contracts.
- Familiarity with indemnification, liquidated damages, performance guarantees, and insurance provisions.
- Project management or construction operations experience.
- Strong analytical skills with financial modeling exposure.
Melink Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
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