Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple education refurbishment projects from start to finish, ensuring quality and client satisfaction.
- Company: Established main contractor with a strong public sector focus and a stable leadership team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy over projects, and support from experienced teams.
- Other info: Long-term role with opportunities for sustainable growth in Kent.
- Why this job: Join a growing company and make a real impact on community-focused projects.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Contracts Manager or Project Manager in a main contractor environment.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Your new company is a well-established £20m turnover main contractor operating across London and the South East, specialising in public sector projects including education, healthcare and local authority works. Established for nearly two decades, the business delivers Design & Build, refurbishment and specialist projects, often within live and operational environments. Project values typically range from £200k to £2m, with a strong pipeline of secured work through both frameworks and competitively tendered projects. Due to a sustained period of planned growth and newly awarded education schemes, the business is now seeking to strengthen its delivery team with the appointment of an additional Contracts Manager.
Your new role is a newly created position to support continued growth across predominantly education refurbishment projects. As Contracts Manager, you will take full responsibility for 3-5 live projects at any one time, acting as the overall lead and main point of contact from pre-construction through to handover. You will have overall responsibility for programme delivery, quality, health & safety and client satisfaction. This includes programming, design coordination, sequencing and managing delivery in live environments, managing and leading site teams and subcontractors across multiple projects, problem-solving and proactive management of risk and change, and full autonomy over your schemes, reporting directly to the Construction Director. You will work closely with an experienced commercial and in-house design team to support successful delivery.
What you'll need to succeed: You will be an experienced Contracts Manager, or an established Project Manager looking to step up into a multi-project role within a main contractor environment. Experience delivering multiple projects concurrently from pre-construction to completion is essential, along with previous experience on education projects or similar public sector schemes (live environments desirable). A desire for a long-term, permanent role based in Kent or the surrounding areas is required. Candidates from either trades or academic backgrounds will be considered.
What you'll get in return: You will be joining a growing contractor with a stable leadership team, strong public sector client base and a clear long-term workload. You will have genuine autonomy over your projects, support from experienced surveying and design departments, and a long-term position within a business investing in sustainable growth. A competitive salary and package, aligned with experience, will be offered.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
Locations
Contracts manager - Main contractor in Kent, Sevenoaks employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts manager - Main contractor in Kent, Sevenoaks
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the construction industry, especially those who have experience with public sector projects. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights or even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your project management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed multiple projects and tackled challenges in live environments. We want to see your problem-solving skills shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with education projects. If you've worked on similar schemes, make sure to highlight this in conversations. It’s all about demonstrating that you understand the unique demands of these types of projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts manager - Main contractor in Kent, Sevenoaks
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience with multiple projects, especially in education or public sector schemes. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role and how your skills can contribute to our ongoing success. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples where you’ve successfully managed risks or solved problems on live projects. We’re keen to see how you handle challenges, so let us know about your proactive approach!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of projects the company undertakes, especially in education and public sector works. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their project values and how you can contribute to their ongoing success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you'll be leading site teams and subcontractors. Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership style and problem-solving abilities. Think about specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you successfully managed them.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Knowledge
Given the importance of health and safety in construction, be prepared to discuss your approach to maintaining safety standards on-site. Highlight any relevant certifications or training you've completed, and share examples of how you've implemented safety protocols in past projects.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask. This could be about the company's future projects, their approach to client satisfaction, or how they support their Contracts Managers. It shows you're genuinely interested and engaged with the role.