Trainee Contracts Manager / Graduate Construction Management in Stevenage

Location: SG1 4QX - Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Working Hours: 40 Hours Per Week, Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Garrard Building and Construction Ltd is a family run construction company established in 1946. The Company specialises in building repair and renovation to domestic and commercial properties within an approximate 50-mile radius of our offices in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

We are a specialist construction and property repair company delivering insured building repairs on behalf of insurers, loss adjusters, housing providers, and private clients. Our projects range from minor reinstatement works to major property repairs following subsidence, fire, flood, escape of water, impact, and other insured events. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality repairs, excellent customer service, and efficient project management.

The Assistant Contract Manager will provide administrative, operational, and project support to multiple Contract Managers and repair teams across a portfolio of insured building repair projects. The role is ideal for an organised and proactive individual looking to develop a career in construction management, insurance reinstatement, and project delivery.

The successful candidate will assist in coordinating projects from instruction through to completion, ensuring works are delivered safely, efficiently, within budget, and to the required quality standards while maintaining excellent communication with clients, customers, subcontractors and suppliers.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop within a growing construction business, with progression opportunities into Contract Management, Project Management, Surveying, or Operations Management roles.

• Provide day-to-day support to Contract Managers across multiple live projects
• Assist with planning, scheduling, and coordinating repair works
• Monitor project progress and update internal management systems
• Support the preparation of work programmes and project documentation
• Assist in managing project costs and monitoring budgets
• Help ensure projects are completed within agreed timescales and service level agreements
• Act as a point of contact for clients, customers, loss adjusters, and subcontractors
• Provide regular updates regarding project progress
• Support the management of customer expectations throughout the repair process

• Raise purchase orders and subcontractor instructions
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation
• Support the preparation of reports and performance data
• Ensure all project files are up to date and compliant
• Assist in ensuring projects comply with company health and safety procedures
• Maintain records relating to risk assessments, method statements, and site documentation
• Support compliance with company policies, insurance requirements, and industry regulations
• Promote safe working practices across all projects

• Assist with general project administration
• Support site inspections and quality control processes where required

Previous experience in an administrative, coordinator, assistant project management, or construction support role

Strong organisational and time management skills

Excellent communication and customer service abilities

Good IT skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Full UK driving licence

Experience within construction, property maintenance, facilities management, or insurance reinstatement

Knowledge of insured building repairs and claims processes

Understanding of construction contracts and project management principles

Experience using job management or construction software systems

Positive attitude with a commitment to delivering excellent service

The benefits package includes a standard entitlement of 20 days paid holiday per year (in addition to the 8 UK Bank and Public holidays) and access to a pension scheme following a qualifying period.

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment and harassment on the grounds of all the 'protected characteristics' as identified by the Equality Act 2010.