Client's representative

Some procurement systems include the role of client’s representative. This is the person responsible for managing the project on behalf of the client. This may be an individual from within the client's organisation, or may be a consultant, such as an architect, surveyor, engineer or project manager.

The client's representative should behave as if they are the client, or part of the client organisation, even if they are in fact an external consultant. This may include taking an office within the client organisation, using the client's headed paper, business cards and so on. If they do not do this, there is a danger that they will be seen as just another consultant.

It is important that their role and delegated authority are clearly defined.

The client's representative is distinct from the employer's agent, which is a contractual role equivalent to the contract administrator on certain forms of contract (such as design and build contracts).