At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major rail and civil engineering projects, ensuring safety and quality.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at AmcoGiffen, committed to innovation and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, generous leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on critical infrastructure while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in contracts management within rail or civil engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
- Sector: Rail & Civil Engineering
- Lead Major Rail & Civil Engineering Projects in the South East
We're looking for an experienced Contracts Manager to take ownership of our Southern business unit, leading the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of rail and civil engineering projects across the South East region.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercially astute and relationship‑focused leader who thrives on building client partnerships, driving operational excellence, and delivering projects that make a lasting impact on critical infrastructure.
You’ll play a key role in developing and strengthening strategic client relationships while leading the safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of projects across both long‑term frameworks and competitively tendered works.
About The Business Unit
Our Southern business unit delivers a broad range of multidisciplinary civil engineering solutions across the rail and infrastructure sectors.
Working with key clients through both framework agreements and standalone projects, we deliver complex works that improve and maintain critical transport and environmental infrastructure.
- Typical Projects Include
- Rail building and civils maintenance frameworks
- Environment Agency framework works
- Bridge reconstruction and replacement schemes
- Station refurbishments and upgrades
- Platform enhancements
- Embankment and earthworks projects
- Tunnel and structural repair works
- Associated civil engineering and infrastructure projects
The Role
As Contracts Manager, you will lead the operational delivery of multiple projects across the region, ensuring excellence in safety, quality, commercial performance, and client satisfaction.
You’ll work closely with project teams, commercial colleagues, and clients to drive successful outcomes while maintaining strong financial performance and programme delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Build, develop, and maintain strong relationships with client representatives and key stakeholders across framework contracts.
- Lead the planning, coordination, and successful delivery of multiple projects and programmes.
- Take ownership of commercial performance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
- Work collaboratively with commercial teams to manage compensation events, change control processes, and early warning notices.
- Monitor project progress, costs, forecasts, and resource requirements, taking proactive action where required.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks to protect operational and commercial outcomes.
- Lead monthly Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) reviews with project teams.
- Champion a positive safety culture and maintain accountability for all Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) matters.
- Support the growth and development of the Southern business unit through exceptional project delivery and client engagement.
About You
We're keen to speak with experienced Contracts Managers who combine strong operational leadership with commercial awareness and a collaborative approach.
- You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in a Contracts Manager role within rail and/or civil engineering.
- A strong understanding of project delivery, construction methodologies, contract administration, and commercial management.
- Experience managing framework contracts and multidisciplinary civil engineering projects.
- The ability to build trusted relationships with clients, supply chain partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Sound knowledge of NEC contracts and/or Network Rail bespoke forms of contract.
- Experience within civils maintenance frameworks.
- A degree, HNC, HND, or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
- What’s in It for You
- Competitive salary, negotiable depending on experience
- Company car or car allowance
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Up to 3 paid volunteer days annually
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Private medical insurance
- Medicash Health Cash Plan and rewards programme
- Ongoing training, development, and professional qualifications support
- Clear career progression opportunities within a growing business
- A culture that values safety, inclusion, collaboration, and employee wellbeing
- Employee forums that ensure every voice is heard
- Equal Opportunities
Amco Giffen is an Equal Opportunities Employer, offering challenging, worthwhile careers to everyone and is proactively committed to improving our understanding year on year to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees as well as for the customers and communities in which we serve and operate within.
It doesn’t matter to us what your age, disability, employment status, gender, health, marital status, sexual preference, membership or non‑membership of a trade union, nationality, race, religion or social class are, or indeed any other personal characteristics not directly related to the relevant job.
Anyone who meets the requirements of the job is eligible for employment with Amco Giffen.
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Contracts Manager in Theale employer: AmcoGiffen
AmcoGiffen is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work culture in Cumbernauld. With a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, including internal programmes for leadership and continuous learning, employees are encouraged to thrive in their careers while contributing to meaningful projects in civil engineering across Scotland. The company fosters a collaborative environment where ideas are valued, ensuring that every team member plays a vital role in driving quality and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Theale
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like AmcoGiffen, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Contracts Manager at AmcoGiffen.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager in Theale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at AmcoGiffen
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!