At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage exciting projects from start to finish, ensuring client satisfaction and quality delivery.
- Company: Join a family-oriented subcontractor with a strong local reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, and a hands-on role with real project ownership.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Enjoy variety and responsibility while working closely with clients and teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management within construction or fit-out sectors.
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 + company car
Location: Southampton / Hampshire
Hays are working with a well-established, family-orientated specialist subcontractor who are looking to appoint a Contracts Manager to join their business. The company has built a strong reputation within the commercial and industrial sectors, delivering specialist projects for clients across warehouses, factories, manufacturing facilities, offices, retail premises and operational workspaces. Their work is focused around helping clients make better use of their existing buildings, whether that is through internal fit-out, storage solutions, structural alterations, workplace improvements, building works or associated mechanical and electrical installations.
This is a business that offers a complete service to its clients, from the first conversation through to final delivery. They are not a large corporate contractor where roles are heavily separated. The Contracts Manager will have genuine involvement across the full process, meeting clients, understanding the scope, supporting quotations, working with estimating, putting packages together, planning the works, managing subcontractors and seeing the project through to completion. It would suit someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and being close to the detail of each project.
The role
As Contracts Manager, you will be responsible for managing specialist commercial and industrial projects from initial enquiry through to handover. You will be client-facing from the outset, attending meetings and site visits to understand what the customer needs, before helping shape the scope of works, pricing, programme and delivery plan. Once the project is secured, you will manage the process through procurement, subcontractor coordination, site delivery, quality control, health & safety and final handover. This is a role for someone who likes taking ownership. You will need to be comfortable speaking with clients, working through practical site issues, managing costs and making sure projects are delivered properly.
The role will involve:
- Meeting clients to understand project requirements and expectations
- Attending site surveys and assessing the scope of works
- Supporting quotations, pricing and estimating discussions
- Working closely with suppliers, subcontractors and internal teams
- Putting together project packages, programmes and delivery plans
- Managing specialist fit-out, storage, refurbishment and industrial works from start to finish
- Coordinating labour, materials, subcontractors and site activity
- Managing health & safety, programme, quality and day-to-day site progress
- Dealing with variations, changes and client updates
- Ensuring works are completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard
- Maintaining strong relationships with clients throughout the project
- Taking responsibility for successful handover and completion
What they are looking for
The client is looking for a Contracts Manager who is practical, commercially aware and confident managing projects from the early stages through to completion. This role would suit someone from a specialist subcontractor, fit-out, interiors, industrial refurbishment, storage systems, warehouse fit-out, office fit-out, small works, racking, partitioning or building works background. You do not need to come from a large main contractor. In fact, this position is likely to suit someone who prefers a more hands-on environment where you can be involved in the full project journey rather than just one part of it.
The right person will be organised, reliable and able to manage multiple projects at different stages. You will need to be comfortable dealing with clients directly, supporting pricing conversations, coordinating subcontractors and ensuring projects are delivered properly on site. Personality will be important. This is a family-orientated business, so they are looking for someone who can build relationships, communicate clearly and work well as part of a close team.
Why this role should appeal
- £50,000 - £60,000 salary
- Company car provided
- Opportunity to join a well-established family-orientated specialist subcontractor
- Full project involvement from client meeting through to handover
- Varied workload across commercial, industrial, warehouse, office and retail environments
- Direct client contact and real ownership of projects
- Less corporate and more personal than a large contractor environment
- Strong local reputation and repeat client base
- Opportunity to start within the next few months
- Role suited to someone who wants responsibility, variety and long-term stability
How to Apply
If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please apply below or contact James Mitchell at Hays Southampton for a confidential conversation.
Contracts Manager in Southampton employer: Hays Construction and Property
Join a leading MEP consultancy in Antrim that prioritises innovation and sustainability, offering a dynamic work culture where your growth is nurtured through structured training and mentorship. As a Junior Sustainability Engineer, you'll engage in diverse projects while enjoying competitive benefits, flexible working arrangements, and a clear pathway to advance your career in building sustainability.
Contact Details:
Hays Construction and Property Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Southampton
✨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 Hays Construction and Property, 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 Hays Construction and Property.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager in Southampton
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 Hays Construction and Property
✨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!
