Contracts Manager in Walsall

About Barhale

Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:

• Water
• Transport
• Built environment
• Energy

We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long‑term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985. Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide. We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:

• Tunnelling
• MEICA
• Temporary and permanent design
• Steel‑fabrication
• Signs (design and fabrication)
• Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE

Why join Barhale?

• As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
• Job security, long‑term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes.
• A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients.
• Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success.

The Role

The responsibilities of the Contracts Manager include financial monitoring and control of contracts, ensuring Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality compliance is maintained, and the Company’s procedures and objectives are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that projects are planned and programmed to a level of detail necessary for the site team to deliver the scheme without delays.
• Confirm that procurement and reconciliation of materials are carried out in accordance with Company procedures to best value and prevent delays.
• Monitor project resources and challenge any overspend/opportunity.
• Identify any efficiencies the project can make to improve programme/margin.
• Check that the site team complies with the Company’s commercial policies and procedures.
• Attend tender handover meetings and deliver pre‑start meetings to the site team.
• Ensure a commercial plan and end‑of‑life forecast are in place and monitored monthly for the successful commercial delivery of the project.
• Produce and analyse progress reports, updated costs, and forecasts.
• Ensure correct commercial engagement of subcontractors.
• Review and challenge project teams on Cost Plans, identify risks and opportunities.
• Implement plans to mitigate risks and realise opportunities.
• Implement the risk management process, review risk registers and check risk controls.
• Review the CVRs (Cost Value Reconciliations) monthly with the project teams, implementing necessary actions.
• Complete and distribute the Contract Initiation/Completion form for each project.
• Ensure a weekly review of progress, budget resources and planning is carried out, and look‑ahead programmes are in place, attend project meetings as and when required.
• Chair and attend internal and external meetings, and ensure the production of accurate records of any discussions and actions.
• Ensure timely management of both temporary and permanent designs to meet the requirements of each project.
• Identify appointments within the team and supply chain to deliver both permanent and temporary Design.
• Management of Operational Resources.
• Working closely with the regional Operations Manager to ensure the direct workforce is allocated in line with the Programme of works.
• Recruit operational staff in line with the Programme of works and resource allocation on projects in line with the Programme of works.
• Management of reporting lines for operational staff and assistance in identifying training/progression requirements.

Health, Safety and Environmental

• Set the highest possible standards of leadership in the promotion of HS&E procedures and best practices, and ensure minimum compliance with Company procedures and legal obligations.
• Ensure Site Teams SHEQ performance is aligned with Barhale IMS and the client's standards/procedures.
• Identify good practices and share learning amongst regions.
• Implement project improvement plans (where required).
• Allocate HS&E responsibilities and duties for site personnel, check to understand and provide training as necessary.
• Ensure SHEQ Appointments on the project delivery team as required by Barhale procedures.
• Identify training gaps within the team.
• Oversee and ensure that HSE‑related documents are kept up to date and undertake senior manager site inspections, ensuring that audits and reports are produced, liaising with the necessary parties.
• Undertake Senior Management Inspections (SMI) on projects.
• Liaise with third parties to ensure compliance with HAUC, NRSWA, Chapter 8 and other required regulatory standards.
• Management of third‑party stakeholders by the team in line with programme and Barhale procedures.

Quality

• Ensure that ITPs are produced.
• Ensure that the QA File is produced and maintained.
• Establish and promote best practice.

Customer Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with the customer, both the Client and external customers.
• Chair and lead meetings with the customer and report on progress to date.
• Ensure that works are carried out in a manner that minimises community impact.

Essential

• Extensive experience in managing projects within a civil/water environment.
• Good working knowledge of contract conditions, CDM regulations, design management, programme and risk management and cost control, including forecasting, actual cost, and value reporting.
• Experience with MS projects (and P6 an advantage).
• Knowledge of the NEC contract, including the Early Warning and Compensation Event mechanisms.
• HNC/HND/Degree level (or equivalent).
• SMSTS.
• CSCS card.
• Experience in the Pre‑Qualification and Tendering process for several multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Excellent people management skills with the ability to influence and mentor.

Desirable

• CEng MICE, or equivalent.
• NEBOSH construction certificate.

Caring and investing in you

Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people‑centric company. As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them. From the moment you join us, your well‑being and career aspirations will be supported by.

• Competitive salary
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical
• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
• 8 hours volunteering
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
• Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
• Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
• Leadership & management training and coaching
• Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
• Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
• Continuous service awards