Director, Contracts & Controls

The Role 

The Director – Contracts & Controls, USVI is responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously improving contract administration, commercial controls, risk management, and governance functions across a multi-billion-dollar USVI portfolio. This portfolio includes FEMA-funded education, healthcare, and commercial projects delivered under design-build and CMAR contract structures.  The role provides enterprise-level oversight to ensure contractual, financial, operational, quality, and safety outcomes align with company standards, client expectations, and strategic objectives. The Director, Contracts & Compliance partners closely with executive leadership, operations, finance, legal, and clients to drive disciplined execution, predictable outcomes, and long-term value creation.  This role reports to the EVP of Project Controls.  

Contracts, Claims Administration, & Risk Management 

• Lead contract administration, compliance, and commercial oversight across projects. 

• Support contract negotiation strategy and ensure contractual obligations are clearly understood and managed. 

• Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual, financial, and operational risks. 

• Assist in managing claims and dispute resolution while protecting company interests and maintaining positive client relationships. 

• Set up standardized processes for change order management, entitlement development, and claims documentation. 

• Support preparation and negotiation of Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REA) and other contractual claims when necessary. 

• Lead development and maintenance of portfolio-level risk registers covering contractual, financial, and schedule exposure. 

• Provide structured risk analysis and mitigation recommendations to regional leadership. 

Planning, Controls, & Execution Oversight 

• Oversee planning and project controls frameworks that support schedule management, cost control, and transparency. 

• Ensure systems, processes, and reporting support project teams in achieving schedule, budget, and profitability targets. 

• Partner with operations leaders to support transitions from preconstruction through project execution and closeout. 

• Align contract administration practices with cost control, scheduling, and forecasting frameworks. 

• Support development of program-level reporting dashboards for leadership visibility. 

Financial Stewardship & Business Acumen 

• Support commercial decision-making through sound financial and business judgment. 

• Monitor forecasting, cost controls, and project financial performance. 

• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to improve visibility into project performance and risk. 

• Ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200, FEMA Public Assistance requirements, and other federal grant funding regulations across all projects. 

• Oversee documentation practices supporting allowable costs, procurement standards, and audit readiness. 

Quality & Compliance 

• Ensure contract administration and project controls processes support quality standards and policy compliance. 

• Monitor compliance performance and support corrective actions when needed. 

Design-Build Commercial Oversight 

• Provide commercial oversight of design-build delivery, ensuring alignment between design progression, contract milestones, and payment structures. 

• Monitor commercial risks associated with evolving scope, and early construction activities. 

Program-Level Risk Management 

• Lead development and maintenance of portfolio-level risk registers covering contractual, financial, and schedule exposure. 

• Provide structured risk analysis and mitigation recommendations to regional leadership. 

Procurement and Subcontract Commercial Governance 

• Provide commercial oversight of subcontract procurement, bid leveling, and contract formation. 

• Ensure subcontract agreements properly reflect prime contract obligations and federal compliance requirements. 

Client & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build strong working relationships with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders. 

• Communicate contractual risks, opportunities, and project performance clearly and professionally. 

• Support business development efforts including pursuits, RFP responses, and contract negotiations. 

Team Leadership & Talent Development 

• Lead and mentor contracts and controls professionals within the region. 

• Promote collaboration between project teams, operations, and support functions. 

• Support development of team members through coaching, training, and professional growth opportunities. 

Innovation & Continuous Improvement 

• Identify opportunities to strengthen contract administration and project controls practices. 

• Promote adoption of tools, systems, and best practices that improve project transparency and performance. 

• Share lessons learned and improvements across project teams. 

• 10-15 Years of Operations and Leadership Roles with General Contractor or Construction Management companies; prior federal project experience is preferred 

• Expertise in contracts, financial controls, risk management, and project operations. 

• Proven ability to make sound decisions in complex, high-risk, and ambiguous environments. 

• Ability to communicate complex contractual and commercial matters clearly and persuasively.  

• Federal or large- scale institutional project experience is preferred.  

Necessary Attributes 

• Decisive and composed executive presence. 

• High level of accountability, integrity, and professionalism. 

• Emotional intelligence, humility, and respect for diverse perspectives. 

• Commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across functions and stakeholders. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.

The expected salary range for this position (Director, Contracts & Controls) in USVI is between $150,100 and $206,300 USD.  This represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Suffolk’s total compensation package.  Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, skill set, experience, education and other qualifications.  Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall compensation strategy.  Salary ranges may differ by geography and are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.