At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee multiple civil engineering projects across Scotland, ensuring safety and quality.
- Company: Join a leading civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation and exciting projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private medical insurance, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Play a key role in shaping the future of civil engineering in Scotland with excellent career progression.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering or related field, with substantial project management experience.
- Other info: Strong support for relocation and living costs to attract top talent from across the UK.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Ashton Recruitment is working in partnership with a leading civil engineering and marine infrastructure contractor to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager to support their continued growth across Scotland. This is a senior leadership opportunity offering long-term career progression, high-profile projects and the chance to play a key role in developing the company's presence and portfolio across the Scottish market.
Location: Corran, Scotland (initial project), with wider Scotland coverage
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Circa £100,000+ plus excellent benefits
Sector: Civil Engineering, Infrastructure, Marine Works
Our client is a well-established contractor with a strong UK presence and an excellent reputation for delivering technically challenging civil engineering projects safely, on time and to the highest quality standards. They have successfully delivered several major schemes across Scotland, including:
- £10m cable landing facility in Cockenzie
- £10m airport resurfacing and ground lighting works
- £24m wastewater treatment facility and marine outfall
With recent project awards in the region, they are now establishing a dedicated Scotland-based delivery team. As Contracts Manager, you will provide leadership, oversight and strategic direction across multiple civil engineering projects. You will ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on programme and within budget, while supporting the growth of the business through client engagement and work-winning activity. You will play a pivotal role in building and developing operations in Scotland, with strong progression opportunities for the right candidate. The role will commence on an exciting new project at Corran Ferry Port.
Key Responsibilities
- Project & Commercial Leadership
- Provide leadership and oversight to ensure projects are fully resourced and delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards
- Communicate project objectives, requirements and stakeholder expectations clearly across all project participants
- Lead and motivate internal site teams, consultants and supply chain partners
- Review, challenge and manage project budgets, forecasts and financial performance to ensure commercial success
- Provide regular project progress reports, risk updates and action plans to senior leadership and clients
- Support close-out of legacy projects including defects, warranty items and bond obligations
- SHEQ & Compliance
- Champion excellence in Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), driving continuous improvement
- Ensure all projects operate in full compliance with company policies, procedures and statutory requirements
- Implement and monitor the Business Management System, ensuring strong controls and governance across delivery teams
- Work Winning & Business Growth
- Identify new opportunities and support business development activity across Scotland
- Attend client engagement meetings and support relationship development
- Support tender submissions by providing programme input, technical support, buildability reviews and supply chain insight
- Contribute to the development of a long-term project pipeline and portfolio
- People Management & Development
- Coach, mentor and motivate project teams, setting clear expectations and leading by example
- Drive a performance management culture to maximise team capability and outcomes
- Ensure appropriate resources are allocated to project delivery to support success
- Promote best practice and continuous improvement across all sites
Essential Requirements
- Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline
- Substantial experience as a Project Manager within civil engineering
- Proven track record delivering large and complex civil engineering projects
- Strong leadership capability with experience managing large project teams
- Excellent understanding of NEC forms of contract
- Experience of supply chain management and project delivery governance
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to challenge budgets and forecasts
- Experience managing performance, intervening where necessary to achieve targets
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
- Strong communication skills, confident dealing with senior executives and clients
- Strong IT literacy
Desirable
- Previous experience as a Contracts Manager
- Chartered status or working towards professional qualification (ICE, CIOB or similar)
- Experience supporting work-winning and tender submission processes
Salary & Benefits
In return, our client offers a highly competitive package designed to support both professional growth and work/life balance, including:
- Competitive salary with biannual performance-related bonus
- Generous annual leave with option to purchase additional days
- Car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- Employer pension contribution via salary sacrifice
- Life assurance (4x annual salary)
- Health cash plan covering dental, optical and wellbeing services
- Paid professional membership fees
- Cycle to Work scheme and gym membership subsidy
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and sickness pay
- Annual paid volunteering day
Accommodation & Subsistence Support
This role is initially based in Corran, near Fort William, which is a remote location. Our client recognises that it is unlikely candidates will be based locally and therefore offers strong support for those required to work away from home. To ensure the role is accessible to the best talent across Scotland and the wider UK, the package includes:
- Subsistence allowance for employees living away from home
- Company-provided accommodation, including all bills covered
This ensures candidates can focus on delivering high-quality project outcomes without the financial burden of travel and living costs.
Contracts Manager in Fort William employer: Ashton Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ashton Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Fort William
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Contracts Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to see you shine, so know your stuff about their recent work in Scotland. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! As a Contracts Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage projects. We suggest you have a few solid examples ready to share that highlight your skills and successes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals to join our team and help us grow in the civil engineering sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager in Fort William
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in civil engineering and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Mention specific projects you've worked on that relate to the role and show your enthusiasm for contributing to our client's growth in Scotland.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Contracts Manager, strong leadership is crucial. In your application, be sure to highlight examples of how you've led teams and managed complex projects. We want to see your ability to motivate and guide others towards success.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashton Recruitment
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly research the major projects the company has delivered, especially those in Scotland. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their project types, like the £10m cable landing facility or the £24m wastewater treatment facility.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed large projects. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to achieve project goals.
✨Understand the Financials
Brush up on your commercial awareness. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and forecasts in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with NEC forms of contract and how you've ensured projects remain profitable.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Demonstrate your understanding of the company's growth strategy in Scotland. Discuss how you can contribute to their work-winning activities and client engagement efforts. Showing that you're aligned with their vision will set you apart from other candidates.