Contract Manager (M/F) | Orient Express | Paris

Artisan of Travel since 1883 and Birthplace of stories and legends since 1887, Orient Express and Raffles are two legendary brands, both steeped in history and loved by generations past, present and future.

Representing the pinnacle of ultra-luxury hospitality within Accor Group, both brands are currently going through exciting phases of rebirth and expansion.

Raffles, at distinguished landmark addresses around the world, is the vibrant heart of its destination, curating experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage, and the environment. It’s timeless elegance, refined manners and spirit of generosity ensure that every visitor arrives as a guest, leaves as a friend, and returns as family.

Orient Express embodies the refined nomadic spirit of travel, inviting each traveler to a place where the journey is the destination. Bringing awe-inspiring travel experiences to a new generation of adventurers, its exceptional portfolio includes The Orient Express, with its original carriages reimagined as the new embassy of French luxury; Orient Express La Dolce Vita, a train embodying the 'Made in Italy' way; Orient Express Silenseas - the world’s largest sailing ship; and hotels coming to Rome and Venice.

Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality, both Raffles and Orient Express are focusing on employee journey and growth.

Reporting
The Contract Manager will report to the Legal Director of the Orient Express division in solid line.

Location Paris
This position is located at Accor SA headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux. Ability to work remotely for part of the week.

Mission
The Contract Manager is responsible for negotiate, drafting and manage substantial business agreements on trains and cruises activities with Orient Express’ partners and suppliers.

As the guarantor of an optimal management of the agreements’ life cycle, the Contract Manager is a key member of the project team, working in close collaboration with the core project team.

The Contract Manager has multidisciplinary skills and know-how. Transversality, responsibility, creativity, teamwork, and rigor are the key elements of its mission.

Role and responsibilities
The Contract Manager is involved from the beginning of the offer to the end of the execution of the project. He follows the entire negotiation and operational life of the contract, ensure and optimizes its application.

The Contract Manager provides guidance and leadership to develop, implement, and drive contract/claim management and risk mitigation strategies.

• Propose solutions for contractual structuring and participate in the drafting and negotiation of contracts.
• Monitor the consistency of the contractual structure in relation to the project and ensure its economic viability.
• Elaborate with the team the Contract Data Requirement List.
• Carefully analyzes the contract to build and drive implementation of Contract/Claim Management Strategy Plan.
• Prepares Contract Summary and ensure it is widely communicated and regularly updated.
• Monitors works toward contract obligations, including monitoring of project schedule toward achieving contractual milestones.
• Ensures timely issuance of contractual notices to customers/partners.
• Establishes and implement project specific commercial procedures, particularly regarding correspondences, notifications, insurance, variation requests/orders and claims preparation files.
• Develops a pragmatic commercial approach based on contractual analysis of the project, to protect the Company’s interests toward customers, partners and suppliers.
• Carefully monitors, records, and notifies partners regarding claims/counterclaims and prepares and 
• manages all elements and supporting documentation for claims/counterclaims negotiations.
• Monitors partner requests for variations / change orders / extensions of time.
• Provides creative advice on specific issues, risks, and contractual/claims activities, considering the contract and business objectives.
• Reports on contract management and claims activities to the project and legal team.
• Anticipates events and risks associated with the contract management activities; proposes various counterstrategies and commercial solutions to keep the situation under control.
• Ensuring the archival of project contractual documents.
• Works closely with all the project team. 

Candidate profile

• Training in law and strong legal background in contract law.
• A degree in Engineering, Finance, Technical, Economics or business sciences would be a plus.
• Min. 5 years PQE of previous contract management/contract lawyer experience in a company or in a consulting, or law firm.
• Experience in an international group or in an industry.
• Experience of working in an international environment.
• Fluent French/English.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong business acumen, understanding of the financial aspects of the project and the impact of the contract on the profitability of the project.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to simplify and be impactful.
• Methodical organizational skills, ability to plan and to be pragmatic.
• Strong project management skills.
• Knowledge of main compliance matters such as the fight against corruption, the respect of international sanctions and personal data protection.
• Highly responsible & reliable.
• Technology savvy, good understanding of information systems and advanced technologies.

Passionate about the hospitality/transport industry, art and culture, heritage, and history, you will have an understanding and ideally an experience of the cruise or luxury train business and/or tour operating and/or in an industry.