At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead civil engineering projects from planning to delivery while managing a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Breedon, a leader in civil engineering with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, 25 days leave, pension scheme, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence projects and build strong client relationships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on projects and develop your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Third-level qualification in Civil Engineering and five years of management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 42300 - 51700 £ per year.
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced Assistant Contracts Manager to join our Civil Engineering team and help lead the successful delivery of Breedon’s framework contracts and individual projects across the Western and Southern Region.
This is a varied and influential role with responsibility across the full lifecycle of our civil engineering works — from scoping, planning and programming through to operational delivery, commercial performance and client management.
You’ll lead a small team of Contracts Supervisors and Engineers, coordinate multiple projects at the same time and work closely with our clients and wider Breedon teams to ensure every project is delivered safely, efficiently, to a high standard and with strong commercial performance.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll take ownership of the day-to-day management and performance of the contracts and projects under your control.
Your responsibilities will include
- Scoping, planning, programming and delivering multiple civil engineering projects and framework works.
- Leading and supporting a team of Contracts Supervisors and Engineers.
- Setting clear operational standards and ensuring projects are appropriately resourced.
- Taking ownership of Health & Safety across your contracts and promoting a positive safety culture.
- Ensuring works meet Breedon’s quality standards and all relevant contractual specifications.
- Monitoring the quality of materials and workmanship throughout project delivery.
- Managing contract costs and monitoring performance against tender allowances and agreed budgets.
- Preparing and reviewing monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs) and subcontractor payments.
- Overseeing the measurement and invoicing of completed works.
- Maintaining accurate commercial and operational records throughout each contract
- Working with our Tendering and Estimating teams on quotations, tenders and bid submissions where required.
- Representing Breedon at client and progress meetings and taking a proactive approach to resolving operational issues.
- Building strong relationships with clients and Breedon’s wider supply chain.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across Commercial, Health & Safety, Quality, Technical, Quarrying, Finance and HR.
Leading, motivating and developing your team to create a positive and high-performing working environment.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone with strong civil engineering experience who is comfortable balancing people, projects, clients and commercial performance.
You’ll need
- A third-level qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- At least five years’ management experience in a similar role, managing large civil engineering works, framework contracts or term contracts.
- Strong people-management skills, with the ability to lead, influence and mentor others.
- Good commercial knowledge and confidence managing contract costs and performance.
- Strong technical knowledge of construction materials, plant and working methods.
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced operational environment.
- The ability to identify problems, make decisions and develop practical solutions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- The confidence to work independently while knowing when to draw on the wider management team.
- A full driving licence.
Membership of a relevant professional institute would be advantageous, although strong senior-level experience will also be taken into consideration.
The kind of person who will thrive in this role
You’ll be someone who likes taking ownership, building relationships and seeing projects through from planning to successful delivery.
You’ll need to be commercially minded, adaptable and comfortable making decisions in a changing operational environment.
You’ll also have a strong customer focus and the ability to balance client expectations with safety, quality, programme and commercial requirements.
If you’re an experienced Civil Engineering professional looking for a role where you can influence projects, develop people and take on broader commercial and operational responsibility, we’d love to hear from you.
- Job Benefits
- Attractive salary
- Time to recharge with 25 days leave –plus 8 Bank Holidays
- Invest in your future with our contributory pension scheme.
- We’ve got your back with our employee assistance programme.
- Ongoing career and personal development through our Apprenticeships and other talent programmes
- Give back to your community with our “Make a difference day”.
- Peace of mind with our life assurance.
- Save and share through our “Share save scheme
Assistant Contracts Manager in Lisburn employer: Breedon Holdings LTD
Breedon Group is an excellent employer that prioritises the health and safety of its employees while fostering a strong sense of teamwork. With a commitment to training and development, Surfacing Operatives can expect meaningful career growth opportunities in a supportive work culture, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Central East Scotland. Join us for a rewarding experience where your contributions directly impact vital highway maintenance projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Contracts Manager in Lisburn
✨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 Breedon Holdings LTD, 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 Assistant Contracts Manager at Breedon Holdings LTD.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Contracts Manager in Lisburn
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 Breedon Holdings LTD
✨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!