Contracts Manager in Saint Albans

£50,000–£60,000 + Vehicle + Fuel Card + Healthcare + Pension

Office base: St Albans

Geographical coverage: Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire & North London

50% office / 50% field

This is an excellent opportunity to join a long‑standing and well‑respected business within the drainage and infrastructure services sector. The company is known for reliability, strong client relationships and consistently high service standards across commercial, residential, aviation and public‑sector environments, including school trusts. Due to continued growth, they are now seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee multiple schemes, manage client delivery and support ongoing operational improvements.

You will be responsible for managing eight sites and a field team of around 10 operatives, working in single or paired gangs. Your role will involve planning weekly programmes of work, allocating operatives based on skills and strengths, reviewing job cards and CCTV reports, liaising with customers on follow‑up work and ensuring that all contracts are delivered safely, efficiently and to high-quality standards. Much of your time will be spent coordinating teams, improving workflow, managing programme costs and maintaining compliance across all activities.

Working from the St Albans office and travelling frequently across the region, you will play a key part in ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction. You will work closely with internal teams to ensure efficient scheduling and resource use. You will also analyse workflows, identify improvements, monitor KPIs and support strategic planning as the business continues to scale. This role is well‑suited to someone who is calm, level-headed and enjoys leadership, structure and operational problem solving.

To be successful, you will need experience working as a Contracts Manager, Operations Manager or Project Manager, ideally within drainage, civils, utilities or plumbing. You should have experience overseeing multiple schemes at any one time, along with strong leadership skills and the ability to support and motivate a field-based team. Excellent organisational ability, commercial awareness and a strong understanding of operational delivery are essential, as is confidence using digital tools and field-based reporting systems. CCTV reporting experience is beneficial but not essential. Integrity, reliability and a positive, proactive approach to continuous improvement are important traits for this role.

The ideal candidate will also bring relevant certifications or be willing to gain them. CSCS or EUSR is preferred, but the company can arrange training if required. IOSH Managing Safely is desirable, while SSSTS and First Aid are considered advantageous.

In return, the company offers a salary of £50,000–£60,000 depending on experience, along with a company vehicle (likely a truck) and fuel card. Benefits include private healthcare after probation, a pension scheme after three months, 23 days' holiday plus bank holidays, and a holiday buyback option that allows you to purchase up to five extra days after probation. You will also be provided with a laptop and mobile phone to support your mobility. This is a genuinely supportive environment where you can influence operational structure and contribute to the company’s continued growth.

This role is ideal for someone from drainage, civils, utilities or plumbing who enjoys managing multiple schemes, supporting teams and ensuring exceptional customer delivery. It will suit a grounded, positive and commercially aware leader who is ready to take ownership of delivery across a growing region.