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- Tasks: Lead and manage civil engineering projects on-site, ensuring timely delivery and resource control.
- Company: Established UK civil engineering contractor with a focus on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits package, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Take charge of exciting projects and make a tangible impact in the civil engineering field.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in groundworks and civil engineering, strong NEC & JCT knowledge required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a clear chain of command and support from experienced teams.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
Our client is a UK-based civil engineering contractor. They now require a highly experienced and hands-on Contracts Manager to take full operational control of live groundworks and civil engineering projects. This is a delivery-driven, site-based position responsible for:
- Controlling programme.
- Managing labour, plant and materials.
- Driving daily performance.
- Protecting commercial position.
- Ensuring milestones are achieved.
The successful candidate will spend the majority of their time on site ensuring projects are properly resourced, programmed, and delivered safely and profitably.
PRIMARY ROLE – Operational Delivery
- Site Control & Presence
- Be on site – i.e. Monday check everyone is in and set for the week
- Ensure all labour has reported.
- Identify and resolve resource gaps immediately.
- Maintain visible leadership presence across sites.
- Ensure Site Managers are fully in control of their Foremen.
- Hold Site Managers accountable for daily performance.
- Programme Management & Planning
- Take full ownership of the project programme.
- Maintain and update a rolling 6-week look ahead programme.
- Ensure the programme is realistic, resourced and achievable.
- Plan and allocate labour, plant and materials in line with programme.
- Monitor contract milestones and ensure they are achieved.
- Identify delays early and implement recovery plans.
- Drive a target-led mindset across site teams.
- Resource Control
- Control all site resources including:
- Direct labour
- Subcontract labour
- Plant
- Materials
- Review labour allocation sheets daily.
- Ensure plant utilisation is efficient and justified.
- Forecast material requirements in advance.
- Avoid downtime through proactive planning.
- Commercial Control (Hands-On)
- Work closely with the QS daily.
- Review:
- Allocation sheets
- Works completed
- Variations
- Dayworks
- Ensure variations are identified immediately.
- Issue contract notices to:
- The Client (under NEC/JCT)
- Informing PL Infrastructure Commercial Team
- Follow up on all notices and ensure they are tracked.
- Protect margin through early identification of risk.
- Reporting & Forecasting
- Maintain accurate cost and value forecasting.
- Support CVR preparation.
- Provide weekly project performance data.
- Draft and issue weekly project reports to Directors.
- Report on:
- Programme status
- Commercial position
- Risks
- Resource requirements
- HSQE matters
- HSQE & Systems Champion
- Ensure safe systems of work are implemented.
- Work closely with HSQE support.
- Ensure RAMS are in place and followed.
- Maintain high quality standards.
- Enforce company systems on site.
- Drive discipline in paperwork and compliance.
SECONDARY ROLE – Leadership & Business Support
- Meetings
- Chair weekly internal project meetings.
- Attend client progress meetings.
- Report to Directors weekly.
- Support commercial review meetings.
- Pre-Construction Support
- Provide buildability input.
- Review programmes at tender stage.
- Support Estimating where required.
- Recruitment & Development
- Assist with recruiting operational staff.
- Mentor Site Managers.
- Develop stronger control at Foreman level.
Reporting Structure & Support
Support from:
- Directors
- Commercial Lead
- Accounts Team
- HSQE Support
- Logistics manager
Supporting:
- Quantity Surveyors
- Accounts (information & allocation data)
- Health & Safety
- Site Managers
The Contracts Manager controls the Site Managers. Site Managers control the Foremen. Clear chain of command must be maintained.
Experience & Qualifications Required
- Minimum 15 years Groundworks & Civil Engineering experience.
- Engineering background.
- Experience working in £10m–£15m turnover businesses.
- Strong NEC & JCT knowledge.
- Proven ability managing multiple packages cradle to grave.
- Strong programme management skills.
- Highly organised and structured.
- Stable employment history.
- Proficient in MS Project & Microsoft Office.
- SharePoint experience desirable.
Key Behaviours Required
- Detail-oriented.
- Structured and organised.
- Commercially aware.
- Confident issuing contract notices.
- Proactive problem solver.
- Strong presence on site.
- Not afraid to challenge.
- Delivery-driven.
Should this excellent Contracts Manager opportunity be of interest to you, please forward your CV to Anna Maguire. Whilst we will endeavour to contact you following your response, occasionally due to the high volume of applications this cannot always be possible and we are only able to contact shortlisted candidates. We will keep your details on file and may contact you with future opportunities.
Contracts Manager employer: ERS Recruiting Ltd
Contact Detail:
ERS Recruiting Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get your face out there! Attend industry events and networking meet-ups. It's all about making connections, so don’t be shy – chat with people in the field and let them know you’re on the lookout for a Contracts Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up on site! If you can, visit potential employers' sites to get a feel for their operations. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Leverage social media! Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with industry professionals and join relevant groups. Share your insights and experiences to position yourself as a knowledgeable candidate in the civil engineering space.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in groundworks and civil engineering, and don’t forget to showcase your programme management skills. We want to see how you’ve driven performance on site!
Showcase Your Leadership: Since this role is all about being hands-on and leading teams, make sure to include examples of how you've maintained a strong presence on site. We love to see candidates who can hold their team accountable and drive results!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we’ll have all your details in one place. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ERS Recruiting Ltd
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've worked on. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, especially in terms of resource management and programme control.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
Since this role requires a strong presence on site, prepare examples that showcase your leadership abilities. Talk about how you've managed teams, held Site Managers accountable, and driven performance in previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to NEC and JCT contracts, as well as programme management tools like MS Project. Brush up on these topics and be prepared to explain how you've applied this knowledge in real-world scenarios.
✨Show Your Commercial Awareness
Highlight your experience in protecting margins and identifying risks early. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled contract notices and variations, and how you ensure that projects are delivered safely and profitably.