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 focus on public sector projects.
- 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 in the education sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing multiple projects and strong client-facing skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
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.
This 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.
Key duties will include:
- Overall responsibility for programme delivery, quality, health safety and client satisfaction.
- Programming, design coordination, sequencing and managing delivery in live environments.
- Managing and leading site teams and subcontractors across multiple projects.
- Client and consultant liaison, maintaining long-standing relationships.
- Problem-solving and proactive management of risk and change.
- Full autonomy over your schemes, reporting directly to the Construction Director.
- Working 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. You will have:
- Experience delivering multiple projects concurrently from pre-construction to completion.
- Strong knowledge of Design Build procurement.
- Previous experience on education projects or similar public sector schemes (live environments desirable).
- Confident client-facing and leadership skills.
- A structured, programme-led approach with strong coordination ability.
- A desire for a long-term, permanent role based in Kent or the surrounding areas.
- 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. The role offers:
- Genuine autonomy over your projects.
- Support from experienced surveying and design departments.
- A long-term position within a business investing in sustainable growth.
- Competitive salary and package, aligned with experience.
If you’re interested in this role, click apply now to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Contracts manager - Main contractor. Kent employer: Hays
Join a well-established main contractor in Kent, specialising in public sector projects, where you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values autonomy and professional growth. With a strong pipeline of education refurbishment works, you will have the opportunity to lead multiple projects while collaborating with experienced teams, ensuring a rewarding and impactful career in a stable environment focused on sustainable growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts manager - Main contractor. Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opening or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent work, especially in education refurbishment. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Contracts Manager. Highlight your ability to manage multiple projects and your client-facing skills to make a strong impression.
✨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 that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts manager - Main contractor. Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing multiple projects, especially in education refurbishment, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your client-facing skills and leadership experience!
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous projects. We love seeing proactive management of risk and change, so share those stories that demonstrate your ability to think on your feet.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of projects the company undertakes, especially in education refurbishment. Be ready to discuss similar projects you've managed and how you ensured quality and client satisfaction.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you'll need to lead site teams and subcontractors. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously, especially in live environments.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you proactively managed risks and changes. This will show your potential employer that you're capable of handling the complexities of their projects.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since client-facing skills are crucial for this role, practice building rapport during the interview. Engage with your interviewers, ask insightful questions about their projects, and express genuine interest in their work culture and values.
