JOB DESCRIPTION: Senior Contracts Manager
Location: Head Office, Units 1–6, Old Station, Higham, Bury St Edmunds
Reporting to: Director of Operations
Responsible for: Contracts Managers, Site Supervisors and SHEQ Advisor
The Company
Aran Insulation, part of M Group Services, is an award‑winning, industry‑leading organisation improving the energy efficiency of homes throughout the UK. Passionate about improving quality of life and reducing the cost of living for customers, the company’s goal is to reduce carbon emissions in UK households.
A dynamic business going through growth and development, Aran Insulation is committed to developing its staff through training and progression, giving them the tools and opportunities to excel.
Job Role
The Senior Contracts Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant and high‑quality delivery of insulation and retrofit works across Aran.
You will oversee on‑site operational performance across Contracts Managers, Supervisors and the subcontracted delivery model, ensuring all works meet M Group Services and SHEQ standards, as well as client expectations.
You’ll play a central role in programme planning, site oversight, improving quality, strengthening audit processes, and ensuring site compliance and delivery are robust and right‑first‑time.
Outside of direct reports, the role works closely with the Senior SHEQ Advisor, Head of Quality & Compliance, Operations Manager, Insulation Manager, and Supply Chain Lead to ensure safe, high‑quality and fully compliant delivery across all workstreams.
You will represent Aran at client pre‑start meetings, progress reviews, inspections and update meetings, providing senior presence and operational confidence.
The Senior Contracts Manager is also a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to operational uplift, performance improvement and wider business strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Oversee performance of Contracts Managers, Site Supervisors and SHEQ Advisor to ensure safe, compliant, high‑quality delivery.
- Attend sites to ensure works are completed in line with specifications, standards and M Group expectations.
- Devise and deliver programmes of work, ensuring effective sequencing, resource planning and delivery control.
- Collaborate with the Insulation Manager where works involve directly employed installers.
- Provide senior operational presence at client pre‑starts, progress meetings and technical meetings.
Quality, Auditing & Compliance
- Work closely with internal SHEQ and Quality functions, including the Senior SHEQ Advisor and Head of Quality & Compliance.
- Ensure audit requirements are met and site standards are upheld.
- Ensure corrective actions are completed and trends analysed for improvement.
- Streamline auditing processes and improve how quality and safety data are captured and used.
- Drive consistency and efficiency in digital inspection and quality tools.
Subcontractor & Supply Chain Performance
- Oversee subcontractor performance alongside the Supply Chain Lead.
- Ensure all subcontractors meet Aran’s safety, quality, behavioural and compliance standards.
- Conduct site checks, quality reviews and compliance verification of subcontractor works.
Client Engagement & Representation
- Represent Aran professionally in all client‑facing environments.
- Communicate clearly on progress, risks, programme changes and mitigations.
- Ensure client expectations are managed and met throughout the project lifecycle.
Site Delivery
- Conduct regular site inspections, ensuring actions are logged and closed.
- Issue snagging lists and ensure rectification work is completed promptly.
- Ensure workmanship meets all manufacturer, accreditation, client and M Group standards.
- Maintain oversight of plant and equipment requirements, working with Fleet, Supply Chain and Operations.
Pre‑Contract Duties
- Work across multiple projects within short timeframes.
- Attend pre‑start meetings, planning groups and technical discussions with clients.
- Liaise confidently with clients, subcontractors, supervisors and internal teams.
- Support site mobilisation across all contracts.
- Build strong working relationships with clients.
- Identify client requirements and ensure programme plans are aligned.
- Ensure proposed delivery approaches meet safety, quality and M Group standards.
Contract Duties
- Maintain accurate client and contract records in job files.
- Ensure RAMS, COSHH and Method Statements are correct and maintained.
- Support procurement of materials and plant where required.
- Oversee subcontractor engagement and monitor performance.
- Ensure materials and subcontractor works support programme milestones.
- Manage installation activities to meet programme requirements.
- Complete and record site inspections and follow‑up actions.
- Issue handover forms and ensure accurate completion records.
- Maintain all documentation required for valuations, invoicing and compliance.
- Support preparation of O&M information.
- Ensure additional works are authorised and recorded appropriately.
- Ensure variations and additional works are priced and verified correctly.
Valuation / Invoicing Duties
- Provide all required information to support valuations and invoicing.
- Review subcontractor invoices and verify timesheets before submission.
General Duties
- Attend department and SLT meetings as required.
- Maintain and update contract files, labour programmes and site documentation.
- Attend internal meetings and coordinate clearly with office and field teams.
- Maintain clear records of discussions and correspondence with clients.
- Work with other managers to support joint operational improvements.
- Provide updates to the Director of Operations on progress, risks and resource needs.
- Perform other ad‑hoc duties required by the business.
What we’re looking for
- Proven experience managing multi‑site construction, retrofit or field‑based operational delivery.
- Strong leadership of Contracts Managers and/or Site Supervisors.
- Experience working with subcontractors and supply chain partners.
- Strong understanding of construction safety, RAMS, and quality standards.
- Experience conducting site inspections and managing snagging/rectification.
- Ability to interpret and use audit and quality data to drive improvements.
- Excellent communication and client‑facing confidence.
- Strong programme planning and organisational skills.
- A proactive, solutions‑focused leadership style.
- Full UK driving licence.
Qualifications (Essential & Desirable)
- IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent safety qualification.
- Demonstrable experience in construction, retrofit, utilities or similar sectors.
- NVQ Level 6 or equivalent (Construction Site/Operational Management).
- Experience using digital auditing systems or field service tools.
- Experience with ISO standards 9001, 14001, 45011.
- Experience in working with certification bodies e.g. The Installation Assurance Authority.
The Senior Contracts Manager will be based at the Aran Insulation Limited Head Office in Higham and will work normal office hours Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. However, on occasions you will be required to work outside these hours and away from the head office. Staff must attend training courses, conferences and meetings which may require overnight stays.
Note
This is a description of the job as it is constituted at the date shown. It is the practice of Aran Insulation Limited to periodically review Job Descriptions to ensure they relate to the job performed, or to incorporate any proposed changes.
Aran Insulation Limited is fully committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all areas of our business including the appointment of staff. We ensure that applicants who meet our shortlisting criteria are invited to our recruitment process.
Due to the nature of our work, we undertake criminal record checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service for all successful applicants, and periodically thereafter. Should an applicant not satisfy our background checks any conditional offer of employment or employment may be withdrawn.
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