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 in your role, and support from experienced teams.
- Other info: Long-term career opportunities in a stable and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join a growing company and make a real impact in the education sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management or contracts management, especially in public sector projects.
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.
- 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.
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.
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 in Tonbridge 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 benefiting from a competitive salary and a commitment to sustainable growth. This is an excellent chance to be part of a stable team dedicated to delivering quality outcomes in live environments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts manager - Main contractor. Kent in Tonbridge
✨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. Familiarise yourself with their recent work, especially in education refurbishment. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨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 – these are key for this position.
✨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 in Tonbridge
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 catch our eye!
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 delivered projects in live environments.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your work history, focus on your experience with Design & Build procurement and any public sector projects you've worked on. We love seeing how you've tackled challenges in similar settings!
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 this exciting opportunity with our growing team!
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 education refurbishment projects the company has worked on. Familiarise yourself with their project values and any specific challenges they might face in live environments. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you'll need to lead site teams and manage subcontractors. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or resolved conflicts. Highlight your client-facing skills and how you've maintained long-term relationships with clients and consultants.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Problem-Solving
Expect questions about how you've handled risks and changes in previous projects. Think of specific instances where you proactively managed issues and ensured project delivery. This will showcase your ability to think on your feet and your structured, programme-led approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the company's future projects, their approach to sustainability, or how they support their Contracts Managers. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
