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 collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy over projects, and support from experienced teams.
- Other info: Long-term role with opportunities for professional growth in a stable environment.
- Why this job: Join a growing company and make a real impact in the education sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing multiple projects and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ 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 Tonbridge 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. This role offers a competitive salary and a clear pathway for career advancement within a company committed to sustainable growth and excellence in project delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts manager - Main contractor - West Kent in Tonbridge
✨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 former colleagues or industry contacts. You never know who might have a lead on your next big opportunity.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you land that interview, make sure to highlight your experience with multiple projects and your knowledge of Design & Build procurement. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully managed projects in live environments, especially in education or public sector schemes.
✨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. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Apply Through Our Website
If you see a role that fits, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals to join our growing team, so don’t hesitate to put yourself out there!
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts manager - Main contractor - West Kent in Tonbridge
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 Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you’ve tackled challenges in past projects. We love candidates who can think on their feet and manage risks proactively, so share those stories with us!
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 keen to join 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 projects you've worked on, especially those related to education and public sector schemes. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will show your problem-solving skills and experience in live environments.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you'll need to lead site teams and subcontractors. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, highlighting your client-facing abilities and how you've maintained long-standing relationships. This will help convey your confidence and leadership style.
✨Showcase Your Programme Management Approach
Since the role requires a structured, programme-led approach, be ready to explain your methods for managing multiple projects concurrently. Discuss how you coordinate design, sequencing, and delivery, and provide examples of how you've ensured quality and health & safety standards are met.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the company’s future projects and growth plans. Inquire about their approach to sustainability in construction or how they support their teams during project delivery. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
