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 making a real impact in the education sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing multiple projects and strong client-facing skills required.
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. 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 - West Kent in Maidstone employer: Hays
Join a well-established main contractor in West Kent, where you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering impactful public sector projects. With a strong focus on employee growth and a supportive work culture, you will enjoy genuine autonomy over your projects while benefiting from the expertise of seasoned professionals in surveying and design. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects in education and healthcare, all within a stable and forward-thinking organisation committed to sustainable growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts manager - Main contractor - West Kent in Maidstone
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend local construction events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can often lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Showcase Your Experience
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure to highlight your experience with multiple projects and your knowledge of Design & Build procurement. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects in live environments, especially in education or public sector settings.
✨Be Proactive
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Reach out directly to companies you admire, like the one offering the Contracts Manager role. Express your interest and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. Sometimes, being proactive can put you at the top of their mind when a position opens up.
✨Apply Through Our Website
If you see a role that fits your skills, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to take on the challenges of managing multiple projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts manager - Main contractor - West Kent in Maidstone
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. Mention your leadership skills and how you’ve successfully managed projects in live environments. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our team!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your knowledge of Design & Build procurement and your ability to manage risk and change. We love seeing specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and client-facing abilities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you in front of the right people. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
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 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 need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams or managed multiple projects. Highlight your client-facing skills and how you've maintained long-term relationships with clients and subcontractors.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in live environments. Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you overcame them. This will show your proactive management style and ability to handle risks effectively.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the company's values and culture before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding sustainable growth and client satisfaction. This will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
