At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage DFG adaptation projects from feasibility to grant approval, ensuring practical and cost-effective solutions.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving lives through accessible home adaptations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on problem-solving and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by creating accessible living spaces.
- Qualifications: Strong construction knowledge and experience with residential adaptations are essential.
We are seeking a Contracts Manager to support the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) adaptation projects from initial feasibility and design scoping through to grant approval. The role will focus on attending initial site visits, assessing the practical feasibility of proposed adaptations and developing clear, accurate and cost-effective scopes of work. Strong practical construction knowledge is essential, with the ability to determine whether proposed works can be safely and practically delivered. The successful candidate will ensure proposed schemes meet the assessed needs of the resident, are technically feasible, provide value for money and minimise potential design, cost and delivery issues.
Key Responsibilities
- Feasibility & Site Assessments
- Attend residents’ homes for initial feasibility and scoping visits, both independently and alongside contractors, architects and other professionals.
- Review Personal Needs Assessments and understand the required outcomes.
- Inspect existing property layouts, construction, access, services and physical constraints.
- Assess whether proposed adaptations can be delivered safely and practically.
- Identify the most appropriate and cost-effective construction solution.
- Consider alternative solutions where the original proposal is impractical or disproportionate.
- Take accurate measurements, photographs and detailed site notes.
- Produce clear scopes of work suitable for contractor pricing.
- Identify where architectural, structural, planning, party wall, asbestos or specialist advice is required.
- Escalate proposals that are unsuitable, unsafe or unlikely to meet the assessed needs.
- Design & Scope Development
- Translate assessed needs into practical construction scopes.
- Assess the feasibility of bathrooms, level-access showers, bedroom adaptations, internal alterations, ramps, external access, extensions and larger adaptations.
- Liaise with Occupational Therapists, architects, surveyors and other professional teams.
- Ensure proposed works align with the approved Personal Needs Assessment.
- Challenge unnecessary or over-specified works where a simpler solution is appropriate.
- Cost Control & Value for Money
- Develop accurate scopes that allow contractors to provide comparable quotations.
- Review contractor quotations and challenge omissions, duplication or excessive costs.
- Work with Quantity Surveyors, Finance and Operations where further cost review is required.
- Identify potential cost and delivery risks before works commence.
- Review proposed variations and assess whether they are necessary, reasonable and within scope.
- Contractor Procurement & Mobilisation
- Support the allocation of works to suitably competent subcontractors.
- Provide accurate scopes, drawings, site information and supporting documentation.
- Check required approvals, asbestos information and statutory documentation are in place.
- Support timely mobilisation following purchase order approval.
Person Specification
- Essential Experience
- Strong practical construction knowledge, particularly within domestic properties.
- Experience with accessible bathrooms, level-access showers and bedroom adaptations.
- Understanding of ramps, access paths, gradients, landings and thresholds.
- Experience inspecting existing residential properties.
- Experience producing scopes of work and reviewing contractor quotations.
- Skills & Attributes
- Strong practical judgement and problem-solving skills.
- Commercial awareness and a focus on cost-effective solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Confident dealing with residents, contractors and professional stakeholders.
- Compassionate and respectful approach when working with disabled residents.
- Highly organised, decisive and able to manage priorities.
- Accurate record keeping and strong attention to detail.
- Able to work independently and take ownership of decisions.
Additional Requirements
- Full UK driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle for business travel.
- Satisfactory DBS check where required.
- Typical operational timescales: Initial site visit within 5 days, feasibility review within 48 hours, standard works scoped within 15 working days and extensions within 30 working days.
Pre Construction Manager – DFG Adaptations in Birmingham employer: Henley Chase
Henley Chase is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering a supportive work culture and opportunities for professional growth. With flexible office locations in Eastleigh, Portishead, Exeter, or Yeovil, employees benefit from a competitive salary, pension, and ongoing training to enhance their skills in the construction industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre Construction Manager – DFG Adaptations in Birmingham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Henley Chase, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Pre Construction Manager – DFG Adaptations at Henley Chase.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre Construction Manager – DFG Adaptations in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henley Chase
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
