Contracts Manager

Overview

Abacus is managing the appointment of a Contracts manager for a well-established contractor. You will manage a strong pipeline of complex, high-value projects in the built environment and the client requires someone who can read a JCT contract fluently and manage contract negotiations. You\'ll sit within our commercial team, working closely with legal, preconstruction, and project colleagues. Your remit covers everything before the spades go in the ground — from early tender analysis and risk identification through to contract negotiation, finalisation, and handover briefings to the construction team. You will be managing a non-contentious workload and no two projects are the same. One week you might be stress-testing a Design & Build contract for a major new scheme; the next, you\'re negotiating consultant warranties or unpicking a complex novation arrangement. It\'s varied, it\'s fast-paced, and the work genuinely matters.

Key Focus

• Review and drafting of building contracts, commercial agreements, and associated legal documents
• Providing internal legal advice to achieve business objectives and risk management and ensure legal and regulatory compliance
• Managing the negotiation of building contracts with clients from tender stage through to completion, including managing due diligence
• Review contract documents during the tender stage, providing relevant commentary and advising wider pre-construction of any risks or unique conditions
• Depending on the project requirements, agree staged or progressive legal agreements such as Letter of Intent, Pre-Construction Services Agreements and finally the Main Contract, ensuring the appropriate risk profile is achieved at each stage.

Requirements

You\'ll have at least 5 years of post-qualification experience in construction law, with solid hands-on knowledge of JCT Design & Build contracts, collateral warranties, bonds, and PCGs. The firm is open to a background in Quantity Surveying or (Construction) Law and qualified solicitors with the right background are of interest. You will also offer:

• Clear, practical advice — not just legal opinions
• Confident negotiator who knows when to push and when to find common ground
• A self-starter who manages their own workload without needing hand-holding
• Strong communication skills — you\'ll be translating complex legal positions for non-lawyers regularly
• The resilience to stay focused when a deal gets difficult.

How to apply

Send us your CV — and make sure it gives us a real sense of the contracts you\'ve worked on and the experience you\'d bring to the team.