Contracts Manager – Thames Water AMP8 Projects Location: Thames Valley / Oxfordshire / Cotswolds Salary: £85,000 – £97,000 + Car Allowance + Excellent Benefits Hours: Full Time – 40 Hours Per Week Sector: Water Infrastructure | Civil Engineering | MEICA The Opportunity An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Contracts Manager to join a major infrastructure delivery programme supporting Thames Water’s AMP8 investment across the Thames Valley, Oxfordshire and Cotswolds. With approximately £250 million of secured projects allocated, this is a fantastic opportunity to join an established infrastructure contractor with a significant pipeline of work and long-term opportunities. Projects range from £2.5 million to £25 million, covering civil engineering, mechanical, electrical and ICA works across the water infrastructure sector. As Contracts Manager, you’ll take responsibility for overseeing multiple projects, leading experienced delivery teams and ensuring works are completed safely, commercially and to the highest standards. This position would suit an ambitious, commercially astute individual who enjoys taking ownership of major infrastructure programmes and driving successful project delivery. Key Responsibilities * Oversee the successful delivery of multiple water infrastructure projects, managing programme, budgets, quality and safety. * Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers, Site Managers, Engineers and wider operational teams. * Develop and maintain strong relationships with Thames Water, subcontractors and key stakeholders. * Take ownership of operational performance, ensuring projects achieve commercial and contractual objectives. * Oversee project budgets, resource allocation, forecasting and risk management. * Work closely with commercial teams to monitor financial performance, profitability and project expenditure. * Identify opportunities for operational improvements, innovation and more efficient project delivery. * Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, environmental standards and internal procedures. * Support the development of delivery teams, encouraging accountability, collaboration and high performance. About You To be successful as a Contracts Manager, you’ll ideally have extensive experience overseeing multiple construction or infrastructure projects within a main contractor environment. We’re particularly interested in individuals who have delivered projects within the water industry, although those from wider heavy civil engineering and infrastructure backgrounds will also be considered. Key requirements include: * Proven experience managing multiple infrastructure or civil engineering projects simultaneously. * Strong operational leadership with experience managing multidisciplinary teams. * Excellent commercial awareness, including project budgets, forecasting, risk management and profitability. * Experience working within a main contractor environment. * Strong understanding of construction delivery, contractual obligations and health and safety. * Excellent communication skills with the ability to build lasting client relationships. * Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline. * Appropriate CSCS card. * Professional accreditation or working towards chartered status (ICE, CIOB or equivalent) would be advantageous. Salary & Benefits This Contracts Manager opportunity offers a highly competitive package, including: * Basic salary of £85,000 – £97,000, depending on experience. * Car allowance. * 26 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 3 days. * Up to 3 additional long-service holiday days. * Private medical insurance, with optional family cover. * Life assurance and pension contributions matched up to 8%. * Enhanced maternity, paternity and parental leave. * Flexible and agile working arrangements, dependent on operational requirements. * Professional membership fees paid. * Employee Assistance Programme and 2 volunteering days annually. * Employee discounts across retail, travel, fitness and leisure. * Optional benefits including dental insurance, critical illness cover, travel insurance and cycle-to-work scheme. Interested? With a substantial AMP8 programme already secured, this is an opportunity to join a business with genuine long-term stability, major infrastructure projects and the resources to deliver them. Whether you’re an established Contracts Manager looking for a fresh challenge or a senior construction professional ready to take the next step, we’d be keen to hear from you. Apply today or contact J3A Recruitment for a confidential discussion about the opportunity
Contracts Manager in Oxford employer: J3A Recruitment
Join one of the UK’s largest and most established construction and infrastructure groups, where you will benefit from outstanding stability and structured career development. Based in Warrington, this role offers exposure to major Critical National Infrastructure projects, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for leadership development and long-term progression in a supportive work culture that values safety and client relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Oxford
✨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 J3A Recruitment, 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 Contracts Manager at J3A Recruitment.
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 J3A Recruitment
✨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!
