At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage high-risk contracts for building safety and compliance in a dynamic housing environment.
- Company: Join a large London local authority focused on housing safety and compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders to ensure safety and compliance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in building safety while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management within social housing and fire safety is essential.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
A large London local authority is seeking an experienced Special Projects Contract Manager to join its Housing, Building Safety & Compliance function. This is a specialist contract management role focused on the delivery of high-risk, safety-critical works across a large residential property portfolio. The successful candidate will oversee contracts relating to external wall systems, fire safety and investigative works, ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly, within budget and to agreed performance standards.
The role requires a strong Contracts Manager with proven experience procuring and managing contracts within a social housing environment, ideally including fire safety and building safety contracts.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage safety-critical contracts delivering investigative and exploratory works across a significant residential portfolio.
- Oversee surveys, inspections and technical investigations relating to external wall systems and building safety.
- Manage the delivery of Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs), including assessments aligned with PAS 9980.
- Coordinate spandrel panel investigations, render and façade assessments and Fire Risk Assessments.
- Monitor contractors against agreed KPIs, specifications, programme milestones, quality standards and contractual obligations.
- Ensure works are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance and internal governance requirements.
- Identify delivery risks and take appropriate action to mitigate delays, performance issues and compliance concerns.
Procurement & Commercial Management
- Lead end-to-end procurement exercises for new building safety and exploratory works contracts.
- Develop procurement documentation, specifications, scopes of work and internal approval reports.
- Manage tendering, evaluation, contract award and mobilisation processes.
- Administer existing contracts and ensure suppliers deliver against agreed contractual requirements.
- Drive value for money while maintaining appropriate quality and safety standards.
- Maintain strong commercial oversight across contract delivery.
Performance & Budget Management
- Lead contractor performance management across quality, cost, programme and service delivery.
- Manage budgets associated with investigative, enabling and building safety works.
- Monitor expenditure, forecasting and financial commitments.
- Identify financial risks and implement appropriate controls.
- Produce clear financial and performance reporting for internal stakeholders.
Legal & Risk Management
- Work closely with legal teams where defects or contractual failures may result in claims against contractors or developers.
- Support the preparation of technical and contractual evidence for potential legal proceedings.
- Manage contractual disputes and ensure issues are escalated and resolved appropriately.
- Maintain clear audit trails and contract documentation to support governance and legal requirements.
Funding & Compliance
- Support and lead applications to relevant remediation funding programmes, including the Cladding Safety Scheme.
- Ensure compliance with funding conditions and reporting requirements.
- Coordinate technical evidence and documentation required to support funding applications.
- Maintain awareness of relevant building safety, fire safety and remediation requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build effective relationships with contractors, consultants, legal teams, residents and internal stakeholders.
- Provide clear updates on project delivery, risks, financial position and key decisions.
- Work collaboratively with housing, building safety, procurement, finance and legal colleagues.
- Support briefings for senior leadership and elected members where required.
Skills & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
- Significant experience as a Contracts Manager within social housing, construction, property or building safety.
- Proven experience procuring contracts within a social housing environment.
- Strong experience managing contracts from procurement through mobilisation and delivery.
- Experience procuring and managing fire safety and/or building safety contracts.
- Strong knowledge of contractor performance management and commercial contract administration.
- Experience managing complex, high-risk programmes or projects across multiple properties.
- Strong understanding of fire safety, building safety and external wall systems.
- Knowledge of FRAEWs, PAS 9980, Fire Risk Assessments and façade investigations.
- Experience developing specifications, scopes of work and tender documentation.
- Strong budget management, forecasting and financial control skills.
- Experience managing contractual disputes, risks and performance issues.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience within local government or a large social housing provider.
- Knowledge of the Cladding Safety Scheme and Building Safety Fund.
- Experience supporting legal claims relating to defective construction or external wall systems.
- Experience working across large and complex residential property portfolios.
Important Information
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants should have demonstrable experience procuring and managing contracts within a social housing environment. Relevant fire safety and building safety contract management experience will be particularly important for this position. Rates depend on experience and client requirements.
Special Projects Contract Manager- Building Safety & Compliance in London employer: Confidential
As a leading employer in the data centre operations sector, we offer an exceptional work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and accountability, while our commitment to safety and operational excellence ensures that you will be part of a team that values your contributions. With opportunities for international travel and the chance to lead critical operations across the EMEA region, this role provides a unique platform for impactful leadership and career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Projects Contract Manager- Building Safety & Compliance in London
✨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 Confidential, 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 Special Projects Contract Manager- Building Safety & Compliance at Confidential.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Projects Contract Manager- Building Safety & Compliance in London
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 Confidential
✨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!
