Contracts Manager

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Project Lead to take full ownership of high-value construction and infrastructure projects. In this role, you will be responsible for the entire project lifecycle—from early-stage planning through to final handover and post-completion review. You will act as the key on-site decision-maker, driving performance, safety, quality, and profitability while managing multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Construction & Planning

• Oversee the development of project schedules, execution strategies, and tender submissions.
• Partner with the estimating function to develop and maintain the master programme during bid stages.
• Direct the commercial team on major preliminary cost items, including plant, site setup, and temporary works.
• Lead internal kick-off and production meetings; support resource planning alongside senior operations leadership.
• Manage the procurement schedule, coordinate statutory notifications, and prepare logistics and temporary works frameworks—with early health and safety planning embedded.
• Attend design review meetings, providing progress updates and technical insight.

Project Delivery & Execution

• Lead all project functions, including planning, risk management, financial performance, compliance, stakeholder relations, design coordination, and project close-out.
• Ensure that all project team members and supply chain partners meet required competency standards for safety, quality, and environmental performance.
• Coordinate consultant and subcontractor design outputs in line with contract requirements, including digital delivery where specified.
• Maintain and update the Project Execution Plan, with particular emphasis on health, safety, and quality standards.
• Track progress against the master schedule; collaborate with site teams and subcontractors to review construction methodologies, optimise buildability, and protect the company’s contractual position through timely notices and documentation.
• Uphold site presentation and professional standards to reinforce the company’s reputation.
• Manage information flow, document control, and reporting cycles; deliver accurate cost-to-complete forecasts and monthly performance reports.
• Drive towards Practical Completion, proactively resolving issues to avoid delays.

Commercial & Supply Chain Management

• Lead the selection, onboarding, and performance monitoring of subcontractors, including pre-order and progress meetings.
• Supervise the work of commercial and site management teams; monitor subcontractor output and site productivity to meet milestones.
• Review and authorise expenditure, subcontractor appointments, and financial controls within delegated authority levels.

Project Completion & Continuous Improvement

• Manage the defects process through to the issuance of the Making Good Defects certificate.
• Guide the commercial team on claims for loss and expense and final account settlement.
• Oversee final commissioning, client handover, and post-completion care.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, embedding lessons learned into future project delivery.
• Conduct performance and development reviews with direct reports and support their professional growth.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management within the built environment, with a track record of successfully delivering multiple projects across different sectors.
• Strong technical understanding of construction principles, methodologies, and engineering practices.
• Proven ability to manage project finances, risk, and commercial performance.
• Working knowledge of standard industry contract forms and familiarity with sustainability assessment frameworks
• A relevant professional qualification in construction, engineering, or a related discipline (degree or equivalent); chartered status is highly desirable.
• Valid Health & Safety certification.
• Training or competency in Temporary Works Coordination, Excavation Safety, and permitting for works near live utilities.
• Demonstrated competence in Working at Heights, Scaffolding, and Lifting/Cranage operations.
• Familiarity with Behavioural Safety, Root Cause Analysis, and statutory requirements.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Formal training or proven experience in Contracts Management, Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR)

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to resolve conflict and motivate diverse teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication capabilities.
• Analytical, methodical, and commercially minded, with a focus on delivering results.

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