At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of Project Managers and improve project delivery standards.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on building controls with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Up to £85,000 salary, car allowance, bonus, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Flexible home-based work with regular London attendance.
- Why this job: Shape project management processes while staying hands-on with delivery.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Contracts Manager or Senior Project Manager required.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 85000 £ per year.
Lead a team of Project Managers, improve how projects are delivered and keep enough direct project ownership to stay close to the work. This could suit you if you are already working as a Contracts Manager and want more influence over people, resources and delivery standards. It could also suit you if you are an experienced Senior Project Manager ready to take on broader leadership responsibility without moving into a role that is all meetings, inboxes and spreadsheets.
You will lead around 5 to 7 Project Managers delivering Trend, Tridium, Siemens and Schneider-based building controls projects. You will allocate work, review project performance, support commercial decision-making and run selected projects yourself. Whilst this is a well-developed business with existing systems and processes, they welcome additional input for positive changes and your judgement can shape how the team works, rather than simply maintaining a finished structure.
Why this could beat your current role
You will have a clear leadership remit, with Project Managers reporting directly to you and responsibility for helping them deliver stronger commercial and operational results. You will not be expected to become detached from delivery. Part of your time will remain job-costed, giving you ownership of selected projects and keeping your decisions grounded in what is happening on live work. You will also have the freedom to shape the role around your strengths.
An established Contracts Manager may bring deeper people and commercial leadership. A Senior Project Manager stepping up may initially retain more direct project ownership while developing the wider management brief. Either way, success will be judged by whether the team becomes better organised, more accountable and less reliant on senior management to resolve routine project issues.
The package includes:
- Salary up to £85,000
- £7,297.50 annual car allowance or company car scheme option
- Company bonus linked to personal and wider company objectives
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing with service
- 7.5% pension, increasing with service
- Private healthcare
- Holiday purchase and sale scheme
- EV salary sacrifice and EV charger loan schemes
What you’ll be doing
You will line-manage approximately 5 to 7 Project Managers, holding regular one-to-one project reviews and helping them make sound decisions around risk, programme, resource and cost. When sales hand over a new project, you will allocate it to the right Project Manager, confirm the resource plan and make sure the early stages are properly structured. You will maintain visibility of project costs, WIP, forecasts and resource allocation, feeding accurate information into the commercial and finance teams for P&L review and approval.
You will run selected projects yourself, or have your time allocated to supporting your Project Managers on their projects, with the role expected to sit around a 60/40 between job-costed project work and uncosted management activity. You will also be encouraged to choose a small number of practical process improvements to deliver during your first year, delivering immediate impact that you have driven.
What you’ll gain
You will gain broader responsibility without losing touch with project delivery. You will have the authority to improve how work is allocated, how Project Managers are supported and how commercial information moves through the business. Your contribution will be visible in better-run projects, clearer forecasts and a team that can solve more issues without escalating every decision. You will also build wider operational leadership experience across project delivery, sales handovers, finance and people management. That gives you a stronger platform for future senior operational roles while still allowing you to remain commercially and practically involved.
The challenge
The hardest part of this role will be knowing when not to step in. You may be technically capable of solving an engineering or commercial problem yourself, but your value here will come from delegating, coaching and helping others improve. The role needs someone who can stay out of the technical weeds when the team would benefit more from clear direction and support. Regular attendance will be required in London, but there will also be flexibility for home-based work. You will need to be comfortable commuting into London reasonably often - if you only want to go into London once a week, this isn't for you.
What you’ll bring
- Experience as a Contracts Manager or a Senior Project Manager ready for broader leadership responsibility
- Strong knowledge of BMS or building controls project delivery
- Commercial understanding of job costing, WIP, forecasting and project resource allocation
- The ability to delegate, coach Project Managers and improve performance without taking every problem back from them
Interview process
The process will begin with a video interview, followed by a face-to-face meeting. Apply today. CV not ready to send? That’s fine, let's talk first, a CV later is fine. You must have a Right To Work in the UK - No sponsorship is available. Please note that, unfortunately, any applicants without the relevant work experience or the Right To Work in the UK will be unsuccessful.
Contracts Manager employer: Crucial People
Join a dynamic independent controls engineering specialist in Poole/Bournemouth, where your BMS expertise will be valued and expanded. With a strong focus on employee development, including funded training and a clear progression path, you'll enjoy a supportive work culture that encourages ownership and innovation. Experience diverse projects across various sectors while benefiting from competitive compensation, a company vehicle, and comprehensive health insurance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager
✨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 Crucial People, 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 Contracts Manager at Crucial People.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager
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 Crucial People
✨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!
