At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee multiple civils projects, ensuring quality delivery and team support.
- Company: Established civil engineering contractor with a strong regional reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, secure project pipeline, and clear progression routes.
- Other info: Supportive teams and opportunities for career growth await you.
- Why this job: Lead high-profile civils schemes and make a real impact in the North East.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We’re supporting a well-established civil engineering contractor in the North East who is looking to appoint an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee multiple civils projects across the region. This role is ideal for a senior operational leader who can manage project teams, drive commercial performance, and ensure safe, high-quality delivery across a varied civils portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Oversight: Manage several live projects, ensuring delivery aligns with programme, budget, and quality expectations.
- Team Leadership: Support Project Managers, Site Managers, and Engineers, providing guidance and resolving operational challenges.
- Commercial Management: Work closely with commercial teams on forecasting, variations, cost control, and monthly reporting.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a senior point of contact for clients, local authorities, and external partners.
- Programme & Planning: Review project programmes, identify risks, and implement corrective actions across multiple sites.
- Compliance & Safety: Ensure all works meet CDM, H&S, environmental and quality standards.
What You’ll Bring
- Strong background in civil engineering with experience as a Contracts Manager, Senior Project Manager, or similar senior operational role.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects across groundworks, drainage, utilities, structures, public realm, or infrastructure.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Commercially aware with experience supporting cost control and project forecasting.
- SMSTS, CSCS, First Aid; additional civils or management qualifications advantageous.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and package
- Strong regional reputation and secure project pipeline
- Opportunity to lead multiple high-profile North East civils schemes
- Supportive operational and commercial teams with clear progression routes
If you’re an experienced Contracts Manager looking for your next challenge within the North East civils sector, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or contact us for a confidential conversation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Civils Contract Manager in Durham
✨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 CDM Recruitment, 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 Civils Contract Manager at CDM Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Civils Contract Manager in Durham
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 CDM Recruitment
✨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!
