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- Tasks: Lead and manage groundworks and civil engineering projects on-site, ensuring delivery and performance.
- Company: Established UK civil engineering contractor with a focus on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £120k, excellent benefits package, and career development opportunities.
- 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 site-based role with a clear chain of command and support from experienced teams.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ 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 not a desk-based or strategy role. 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 DeliveryThis role is primarily site-based and delivery-focused.
- 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.
- 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.
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 GBP10m - GBP15m 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.
- 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.
On‑Site Contracts Leader – Groundworks & Civil Delivery employer: ERS Recruiting Ltd
Contact Detail:
ERS Recruiting Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land On‑Site Contracts Leader – Groundworks & Civil Delivery
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! Since this role is all about being on-site, make sure you showcase your experience in managing teams and resources directly. Talk about specific projects where you’ve taken charge and driven performance.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your approach! Highlight instances where you've identified potential delays or issues before they became problems. This shows you're not just reactive but also a forward thinker who can keep projects on track.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your commercial savvy! Make sure to discuss how you've protected margins and managed costs in previous roles. Being able to demonstrate your understanding of NEC and JCT contracts will definitely set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget the importance of communication! Be ready to talk about how you’ve led meetings and kept stakeholders informed. A strong presence on-site means being approachable and ensuring everyone is aligned with project goals.
We think you need these skills to ace On‑Site Contracts Leader – Groundworks & Civil Delivery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Contracts Manager. 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 your leadership experience. Talk about how you've managed site teams and held them accountable for performance. We love a confident leader!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your achievements and skills.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
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 groundworks and civil engineering. This will show your hands-on experience and operational control.
✨Demonstrate 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. Highlight any mentoring experiences you've had with Foremen or Site Managers.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to NEC and JCT contracts, as well as programme management. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be prepared to discuss how you've applied them in past roles. Showing your technical expertise will give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
This role is all about proactive problem-solving. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified delays or resource gaps and implemented effective recovery plans. This will demonstrate your ability to protect the commercial position and ensure milestones are achieved.