At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting outdoor installation projects from start to finish, ensuring vibrant spaces for communities.
- Company: Join a market leader in designing and installing outdoor spaces for diverse clients.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel opportunities across beautiful regions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community spaces while enjoying flexibility and career growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and a background in landscape construction or related fields.
Location: Home-based – Ideally living within 45 miles of Basingstoke. (RG21 5NB)
Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum + £10,000 bonus potential
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Deliver vibrant outdoor spaces for both public and private sector clients that include Local Authorities, Town and Parish Councils, Housebuilders, UK Attractions and Schools. We are recruiting for a market leader in the design and installation of vibrant outdoor spaces who are seeking a versatile Contracts Manager to oversee their growing portfolio of play areas, multi-use games areas and outdoor fitness projects across an area that covers West Oxfordshire across to Woking, down to Chichester, back across to West Dorset and from there up through Wiltshire and back to West Oxfordshire.
About the Role
As Contracts Manager, you will lead outdoor installation projects from contract award through to final site sign-off. Your portfolio will include timber and steel playground equipment, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), outdoor gyms and outdoor furniture where you will expertly navigate the varying demands of the public and private sectors. This is a home-based position requiring regular regional travel across the area listed above.
Key Responsibilities:
- Project Leadership: Lead playground and outdoor fitness installation projects from initial planning right through to successful completion.
- Technical Guidance: Collaborate with and provide technical guidance to the Sales team during the project quotation phase.
- Health & Safety: Review and prepare site-specific Safe Work Method Statements (RAMS) and ensure total compliance with CDM regulations and play safety standards (EN 1176 / EN 1177).
- Contractor & Site Coordination: Coordinate with installers, contractors, and external partners; overseeing material deliveries and subcontractor schedules.
- Site Monitoring & Oversight: Conduct regular site visits to monitor progress against schedule, review construction designs, assess site levels, and verify project setting out.
- Documentation & Compliance: Prepare accurate project documentation, site reports, and completion reports, while managing building applications and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
- Collaboration & Meetings: Participate actively in project kick-offs, construction meetings, and internal team briefings.
- Commercial & Financial Control: Closely follow up on project budgets, margins, and delivery dates to protect profitability.
- Lifecycle Support: Support the service and aftersales team when needed, keeping the customer focus sharp at all times.
- Digital Management: Maintain accurate project data in the CRM system and collaborate closely with the BackOffice team.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Work Approach: A highly structured, quality-focused, and solution-orientated professional who takes full ownership of tasks.
- Communication & Focus: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to maintain clear, professional relationships with customers and external partners alike.
- Digital Savvy: Highly competent using Microsoft Office packages, CRM systems, and modern digital project management tools.
- Technical Toolkit: Competent and confident in reading drawings, calculating site levels, and managing project setting out.
- Technical Background: Solid foundation in landscape construction, site management, play equipment installation, or a closely related civil/external works discipline.
- Contractor Expertise: Proven track record in subcontractor management, coordination, and resource scheduling.
- Location: Fully home-based and ideally living within a 45-mile radius of Basingstoke.
- Essentials: Clean UK driving licence.
- Advantageous: Valid SMSTS, SSSTS, Black CSCS card or an NVQ Level 6 in Construction Management and if from within the play sector then a RPII Level 2 Certificate would be useful too.
What’s on Offer?
- Base salary up to £55,000 (dependent on experience).
- Performance-related bonus up to £10,000.
- Company vehicle / car allowance and fuel card.
- Private Healthcare that includes Dental.
- Health Cashback Plan.
- 5 Weeks Holiday.
- Home office equipment package.
- Pension scheme into which the company contributes 4.5% and the Employee 3.5% and career progression opportunities.
Contracts Manager in Basingstoke employer: Cole & Yates Ltd
Join a leading company in the design and installation of vibrant outdoor spaces, where you will enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and generous holiday allowance, this home-based role offers the flexibility to manage your projects while making a meaningful impact in both public and private sectors. Embrace the opportunity to lead diverse outdoor projects and develop your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Contracts Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their work in outdoor spaces and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the right fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Contracts Manager gig! We’ve got all the latest openings and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in project management, especially in outdoor installations, and any relevant qualifications that match the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past projects and how you’ve successfully navigated challenges in both public and private sectors.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your technical background! We want to see your competence in reading drawings and managing site levels, so make sure these skills shine through in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cole & Yates Ltd
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of projects the company undertakes. Familiarise yourself with playground and outdoor fitness installations, as well as the specific requirements for public and private sector clients. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your technical background in landscape construction or site management. Bring examples of past projects where you've successfully navigated challenges, managed subcontractors, or ensured compliance with safety standards. This will highlight your capability as a Contracts Manager.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Exceptional communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally. Think about how you can maintain strong relationships with clients and partners, and be ready to share examples of how you've done this in previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the company's projects, team dynamics, and expectations for the Contracts Manager role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.