Contract Manager in Portsmouth

Contracts Manager – High-End Fit-Out Hampshire Office (predominantly London projects) I'm working with an established, family-run fit-out contractor that's been delivering high-end fit projects for 41 years, with a turnover just shy of £30m and around 40 staff. Their work is predominantly high-end retail, with projects ranging from £300k to £11m+, although most sit between £2.5m and £5m. They also deliver across hospitality, education, offices, car showrooms, stadiums, leisure and high-end hotels. They're looking for a Contracts Manager to take ownership of projects from handover through to completion. You'll work closely with a QS to appoint subcontractors, build the programme, manage delivery and be the main point of contact for the client. You'll either run multiple smaller projects or take the reins on a larger £5m+ scheme, depending on the pipeline and your experience. What you'll be doing: • Taking projects through from estimator handover to completion • Working alongside a QS to source and appoint subcontractors • Producing and managing project programmes • Leading delivery across high-end fit-out projects up to £11m+ • Acting as the main point of contact for clients throughout the project • Managing subcontractors, site teams and wider project stakeholders • Keeping projects on programme, to budget and to the required quality • Running multiple projects or taking ownership of a larger £5m+ scheme Why it's a good opportunity: This is a business where people genuinely tend to stick around. They've got a number of long-standing employees, and even those who have left have often ended up coming back. It's a family-run business that have grown into an established £30m contractor with a seriously strong portfolio of high-end work. They're also big on developing people. There are plenty of examples of people who've joined earlier in their careers and progressed within the business, so you'll be joining a company that invests in its people rather than simply expecting you to hit the ground running. Requirements: • Proven experience as a Contracts Manager within high-end fit-out • Strong track record delivering fast-paced commercial projects • Experience managing projects around the £2.5m–£5m range • Comfortable managing larger £5m+ projects or multiple schemes • Strong client-facing and subcontractor management skills • Commercially aware and able to work closely with a QS • Organised, proactive and confident taking ownership of delivery • Retail or other high-end fit-out experience would be particularly relevant What's on offer: • High-end projects across retail, hospitality, education, offices, leisure and more • Established £30m business with 41 years' trading history • Predominantly London-based projects • Long-standing, supportive team and family-run culture • Strong focus on training and development • One week a year in the company's luxury Marbella villa • A business that treats its staff like adults and genuinely looks after them • A flexible working arrangment that suits the way you work They're growing the team because there's a lot of work coming through, so there's a genuine reason for the hire rather than simply adding another layer of management. If you're a Contracts Manager from a fast-paced, high-end fit-out background and want to work for a business that actually looks after its people, this one's worth a conversation. Let me know if you'd be up for a chat.