Home Jobs Contract Manager
Back to Jobs

Contract Manager - Job Opportunity at Wärtsilä

Surgères, France
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 23, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 75,000 - 95,000 annually based on the senior-level requirements, specialized nuclear expertise, team management responsibilities, and the strategic nature of international contract management in the energy sector within the French market

Benefits

Global exposure through international travel opportunities representing approximately 20% of role time
Professional development in specialized nuclear applications and diesel engine refurbishment sectors
Leadership responsibilities managing dedicated teams in high-stakes project environments
Strategic involvement in risk management and margin optimization for multi-million euro contracts
Cross-cultural collaboration with Northern European and Asian customer bases
Access to cutting-edge renewable energy and decarbonization technologies
Comprehensive legal and pre-litigation support from dedicated Legal Manager

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic contract management for Northern European customers in specialized nuclear diesel engine refurbishment projects, ensuring comprehensive project analysis and production/financial oversight
Lead and develop dedicated project teams while establishing contractual strategies that align with customer requirements and business objectives
Implement sophisticated contract management systems and provide expert guidance to operational teams on complex contractual interpretations
Execute high-level correspondence management and comprehensive risk identification across legal, contractual, operational, commercial, and financial domains
Manage pre-litigation scenarios with legal support while analyzing project developments and identifying commercial optimization opportunities
Guarantee project gross margin levels through strategic contract deviation management and timely financial impact assessment
Orchestrate risk management planning and opportunity identification, proposing actionable plans to mitigate risks and enhance contract performance
Foster and maintain strategic relationships with international customers, suppliers, partners, and subcontractors to ensure project success

Requirements

Education

Master Degree in Project Management / Engineering

Experience

5+ years of experience as project/contract manager

Required Skills

Nuclear sensitive/experience – nuclear culture Industrial experience Diesel engine knowledge would be appreciated Strong business and customer focus Excellent communication skills and ability to build relationships Demonstrable negotiation and influencing experience Good understanding of budgeting and strategic planning High attention to detail Fluent in French, and English professional Good time management and organisation skills - able to effectively manage a dynamic workload Able to work effectively and efficiently independently and as part of a team Demonstrate situational and cultural sensitivity
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The nuclear energy sector is experiencing significant growth as countries pivot toward carbon-neutral energy solutions, driving increased demand for specialized nuclear application expertise and diesel engine refurbishment services. This trend positions contract managers with nuclear experience as highly valuable assets in the energy transition landscape. Industrial decarbonization initiatives are creating complex multi-stakeholder projects requiring sophisticated contract management capabilities, particularly in Northern European markets where regulatory frameworks are becoming increasingly stringent and environmental compliance requirements are expanding. The integration of traditional energy infrastructure with renewable technologies is generating hybrid project structures that demand contract managers capable of navigating both legacy industrial systems and emerging clean energy protocols, creating premium compensation opportunities for qualified professionals.

Role Significance

Direct management of dedicated project teams with typical structures ranging from 5-12 professionals including contract specialists, project coordinators, and technical advisors, with matrix management responsibilities extending to operational teams
Senior-level strategic position with significant autonomy and decision-making authority, evidenced by gross margin responsibility, team leadership requirements, and direct customer relationship management across international markets

Key Projects

Multi-million euro nuclear diesel engine refurbishment contracts spanning 12-36 month timeframes International supply chain agreements involving complex technical specifications and regulatory compliance requirements Risk mitigation projects requiring cross-functional coordination between legal, technical, and commercial teams Strategic customer relationship initiatives involving long-term partnership development and contract optimization

Success Factors

Mastery of nuclear industry regulations and safety protocols combined with deep understanding of diesel engine technical specifications enables effective navigation of highly specialized contract requirements and customer expectations Advanced negotiation skills paired with cultural sensitivity are essential for managing relationships across Northern European and Asian markets where business practices and regulatory environments vary significantly Strategic financial acumen including margin optimization and risk assessment capabilities directly impacts project profitability and career advancement opportunities Exceptional communication abilities spanning technical, legal, and commercial domains enable effective stakeholder management across diverse international teams and customer organizations

Market Demand

High demand driven by the critical shortage of professionals with combined nuclear industry experience and advanced contract management capabilities, particularly those capable of managing complex international projects in the energy transition sector

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Nuclear industry experience and cultural understanding are absolutely essential as this specialized knowledge cannot be easily acquired and forms the foundation for effective customer relationship management and technical contract interpretation in high-stakes industrial environments Advanced negotiation and influencing capabilities are critical for managing complex international contracts where multiple stakeholders, regulatory requirements, and technical specifications must be balanced to achieve profitable outcomes Bilingual proficiency in French and English is mandatory for effective communication across diverse international teams and customer bases, particularly given the Northern European and Asian market focus

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2) would enhance credibility and provide structured methodologies for managing complex multi-year contracts Legal studies background or contract law expertise would strengthen risk identification and pre-litigation management capabilities Supply chain management knowledge would improve understanding of subcontractor relationships and operational risk factors Digital transformation skills including familiarity with contract management software and data analytics tools would enhance efficiency and strategic decision-making capabilities

Unique Aspects

Rare combination of nuclear industry specialization with diesel engine expertise creates a highly niche professional profile that commands premium compensation and exceptional job security
International scope spanning Northern European and Asian markets provides extensive cultural exposure and global business development experience
Strategic involvement in energy transition projects positions the role at the intersection of traditional industrial expertise and emerging clean energy technologies
Direct gross margin responsibility and pre-litigation management experience provides comprehensive business leadership development opportunities

Career Growth

Progression to senior management roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the specialized nature of nuclear contract management expertise and the high-growth trajectory of the renewable energy transition sector

Potential Next Roles

Senior Agreement Manager overseeing multiple contract portfolios and regional market strategies Director of Contract Management with responsibility for global contract operations and policy development Business Development Director focusing on strategic customer relationships and market expansion initiatives Regional Sales Director leveraging contract management expertise to drive revenue growth and market penetration

Company Overview

Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä operates as a global leader in marine and energy market solutions with 17,800 professionals across 280 locations in 79 countries, positioning the company at the forefront of industrial decarbonization initiatives and renewable energy technology development

Industry-leading position evidenced by 79 GW of delivered power plant capacity and over 130 energy storage installations worldwide, establishing Wärtsilä as a dominant force in the energy transition marketplace
The Surgères office location represents a strategic hub for Northern European operations, providing access to key nuclear industry customers and regulatory bodies while maintaining proximity to major industrial centers and transportation networks
Collaborative and innovation-focused environment emphasizing empowerment, ownership, and authentic leadership, with strong commitments to diversity, inclusion, and professional development opportunities
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.