Contract & Construction Project Manager (50936)

## Description

**JOB SUMMARY**: The Contract & Construction Project Manager is responsible for protecting the Kiowa Tribe's financial interests by providing comprehensive contract administration and construction project oversight for consulting services, capital improvement initiatives, and construction projects ranging from small-scale renovations to mid-sized capital developments. This position manages the full lifecycle of contracts from initial development and procurement through execution, administration, compliance monitoring, and project closeout, while ensuring all contractual obligations are met and the Tribe's legal, financial, and operational interests are protected.

This position combines expertise in construction management with advanced contract administration to anticipate project challenges before they significantly impact cost or schedule.

**RESPONSIBILITIES:**

• The incumbent is expected to recognize potential contractor performance issues, evaluate project schedules and construction progress, implement corrective actions when necessary, and administer contractual remedies that safeguard the Tribe's interests.
• Through strategic oversight, collaboration with Tribal leadership, departments, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies, the Contract & Construction Project Manager ensures the successful delivery of capital projects while maintaining accountability, transparency, and stewardship of Tribal resources.
• The incumbent monitors project progress through regular field observations, contractor coordination, schedule analysis, quality assurance, and compliance reviews to proactively identify risks, mitigate delays, and ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements.
• Able to give direct feedback to a contractor on a job site and hold the line when the answer is no.

**Contracting**

• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and administers contracts, MOUs, professional service agreements, grant agreements, and procurement documents on behalf of the Kiowa Tribe.
• Ensures contracts comply with Kiowa tribal law, procurement policy, applicable federal regulations, and any grant or compacting requirements.
• Conducts due diligence on vendors, consultants, and contractors, including verification of licensing, bonding, insurance, and past performance.
• Monitors contract performance and deadlines.
• Facilitates amendments, renewals, payments, and close-out.
• Coordinates with leadership and the Tribe's Legal department on contract language, risk management, and resolution of disputes or compliance issues.
• Maintains contract records, tracking systems, and documentation to support transparency, accountability, and audit readiness.

**Construction and Capital Projects**

• Serves as the Tribe's representative on active construction projects.
• Conducts routine field inspections, including weekly site visits and daily oversight of major capital construction projects, to monitor progress, quality, safety, and compliance with contract requirements.
• Reviews and challenges contractor schedules, pay applications, change orders, submittals, and requests for information.
• Walks job sites. Finds problems in the field before they arrive as a change order.
• Gives direct feedback to subcontractors, general contractors, and tribal directors on progress, quality, and cost.
• Reviews and accepts deliverables.
• Ensures the Tribe receives the goods, services, and work specified in contractual agreements prior to payment.
• Manages project closeout, including punch lists, as-builts, warranties, and final payment.
• Reads and interprets construction drawings, specifications, and schedules.

**Protecting the Tribe's Budget**

• Enforces the contracting process.
• Ensures work does not start without a contract.
• Tracks budget against actuals on every active project and flags variances early.
• Mitigates risk through forward-looking action rather than after-the-fact correction.
• Advises department directors and the Executive Director when a project is heading off schedule or off budget.

**TERO and Indian Preference**

• Maintains regular communication with the Kiowa Tribal Employment Rights Office to certify that contracts adhere to the TERO ordinance.
• Obtains and reviews certified payroll reports from covered contractors.
• Supports Indian Preference and Buy Indian requirements in the award of contracts and subcontracts.
• Works with TERO to identify Indian-owned firms qualified for tribal work.

**Relationships**

• Builds and holds working relationships with department directors and division executives across the Tribe.
• Builds and holds working relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and consultants across southwest Oklahoma.
• Serves as the Tribe's point of contact with the regional construction community.

**Training and Process**

• Provides training and guidance to tribal staff on contract procedures, procurement standards, and best practices.
• Identifies opportunities to improve contract workflows and supports development of policies and procedures.
• Upholds and promotes tribal sovereignty, confidentiality requirements, and culturally respectful communication in all activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS:**

• **Preferred Education:** Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• **Minimum Education**: Must possess an Associates Degree or equivalent post-secondary credit hours may be substituted.
• **Preferred Experience:** Seven (7) or more years of combined contracting and construction project management experience.
• Must possess a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in a position in the field running or overseeing construction work is required.
• Must possess a minimum of three (3) years of work experience administering contracts on capital projects, including schedules, change orders, pay applications, submittals, and closeout.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and schedules.
• Working knowledge of contract law principles, procurement standards, and risk management practices.
• Proficiency with project management and scheduling software such as Procore, Primavera P6, or Microsoft Project.
• Proficiency with contract management software, spreadsheets, and document preparation tools.
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage many projects at once.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Familiarity with tribal government operations and federal grant regulations preferred.
• Knowledge of TERO, Indian Preference,