New

Sr. Manager, Contracts

NextDecade
United States, Texas, Houston
1000 Louisiana Street (Show on map)
Oct 10, 2025
ABOUT NEXTDECADE CORPORATION NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure, low-cost, and sustainable energy solutions through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction and carbon capture and storage infrastructure. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development. We are also developing a potential carbon capture and storage project at the facility that is expected to make meaningful impacts toward a lower carbon future. NextDecade's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "NEXT." NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com . SUMMARY OF THE ROLE Reporting to the Director of Contracts, the Senior Contracts Manager will lead the end-to-end management of complex contracts, with a strong focus on Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreements, as well as other strategic commercial contracts. Specifically, this role supports the development and administration of project-related contracts in the LNG and carbon capture and sequestration sectors, across all project phases, from pre-FEED through execution, for projects ranging in size from $10 million to over $30 billion. The primary objective of this role is to ensure contracts are structured and managed to minimize risk to both the project and owner, while supporting project teams in aligning owner and contractor requirements with broader project and organizational goals. This position requires deep expertise across the full contract lifecycle, including planning, drafting, redlining, negotiation, execution, and post-award administration. The ideal candidate will collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders (legal, project management, engineering, and project controls teams) and external partners to ensure contracts reflect the company's strategic priorities, risk tolerance, and compliance standards. This is a hands-on, strategic role that demands strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to drive results in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead the full contract lifecycle, from initial development through execution, compliance tracking, modifications, and closeout. Coordinate contract planning/contracting strategy and pre-award activities in collaboration with business owners, legal, project management, finance, tax, technical teams, and other involved stakeholders. Lead the development, review, and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts (EPC, MSA, PSA, etc.). Draft, redline, and revise contract language to reflect negotiated terms and mitigate risk. Ensure alignment of contract terms with company objectives, requirements, and internal policies and procedures. Maintain version control during negotiations and oversee the integrity of contract documentation. Perform post-award contract administration, including tracking of deliverables, obligations, and milestones to ensure compliance and performance. Monitor key contract milestones, deliverables, and obligations to ensure timely performance. Collaborate with stakeholders to address contract-related issues and support resolution of disputes or claims. Prepare and issue contract amendments, change orders, and notices in coordination with internal stakeholders. Monitor contract compliance and support internal audits and reviews. Maintain accurate and organized contract records in the contract management system. Develop and implement standard contract templates and playbooks to support contracts formation and administration. Contribute to process improvements, templates, and tools that enhance contract management practices. Effectively influence and work across the company, with other departments and stakeholders to execute short and long-term objectives. Establish effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders while also understanding, anticipating, and responding to their business needs, objectives, and challenges. Provide guidance and resources to support the development of a comprehensive business strategy. Work with Engineering & Construction to mitigate uncertainties by planning and forecasting future demand. Ensure communication of strategic data throughout the organization. Ensure development and management of supplier relationships in a way that creates an environment for win-win dialogues /exchanges. Monitor team activities execution and performance and compliance with established policies and procedures: -Conduct periodic reviews activities performed by team leads and individual contributors to ensure the team is meeting business requirements and realizing benefits to the organization by making data-driven decisions. -Conduct periodic reviews to ensure established policies and procedures are being followed and adjusted if needed. -Support the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of Supply Management policies, practices, procedures, and responsibilities. -Support the metrics, performance criteria, KPIs, dashboards and reporting. -Provide guidance to team and internal stakeholders on procurement strategies. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, or related field. 10+ years of experience in contract management in the energy sector, particularly with EPC, PSA, MSA contracts. Experience working in a matrixed organization and excelling in a dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives. Excellent negotiation skills and oral and written communication. Excellent people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally. Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: National Contracts Management Association (NCMA). Supply Chain certifications such as CPSM, CCCM, CPCM, CSCP, MCIPS or other relevant certifications. Work Environment This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA-recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions for the job. * Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary. * Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions. * While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear. * The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. * Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities. * Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruiting@next-decade.com. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. NEXTDECADE VALUES* * Safety - We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us. * Integrity - We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do. * Honesty - We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions. * Respect - We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work. * Transparency - Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders. * Diversity - We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed. NextDecadeprovides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecadecomplies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.