At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and negotiate contracts while supporting international sales and engineering projects.
- Company: Dynamic engineering firm with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Exciting career growth potential in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Join a team that values your expertise in contract management and risk assessment.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Newton Abbot, Devon
Salary: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Travel: Regular international travel, including Europe
Overview:
We are currently recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Contracts Manager with strong experience in contract review, negotiation and risk management, to provide commercial and contractual support across its sales, projects and customer support activities. This is a varied role working closely with Sales, Projects, Customer Support, senior management and external legal advisers, helping to protect the company's commercial position while supporting the delivery of complex engineering projects and long-term maintenance contracts in the UK and overseas.
The role:
- Preparation, review, negotiation and administration of commercial contracts supporting international sales and aftermarket activities.
- Drafting, developing and maintaining standard commercial contracts and contractual documentation.
- Reviewing and critically analysing customer contracts, terms and conditions and proposed amendments.
- Supporting the Sales team with contract negotiation, contract review and commercial risk management.
- Identifying, assessing and mitigating contractual and commercial risks.
- Advising colleagues on contractual obligations, liabilities, warranties, guarantees and other commercial terms.
- Liaising with and instructing UK and overseas lawyers and external legal advisers where required.
- Working with Customer Support in relation to maintenance and service contracts.
- Working with the Projects team to support the effective delivery of contractual obligations, variations and dispute resolution.
- Supporting the administration and review of international contracts and commercial agreements.
- Assisting with documentation relating to advance payment, performance and warranty bank guarantees.
- Providing contractual and commercial advice to senior management and Directors on an ad hoc basis.
- Representing the business professionally when dealing with customers, suppliers, lawyers and other external stakeholders.
Person Specification:
We're looking for an experienced contracts or commercial professional who can combine strong contractual knowledge with sound commercial judgement.
Essential experience and skills:
- Experience as a Contracts Manager, Commercial Contracts Manager, Contract Manager, Commercial Manager, Project Manager, Contract Specialist or similar.
- Strong experience of reviewing, drafting, negotiating or managing commercial contracts.
- Good knowledge of English contract law and the UK legal system.
- Proven experience identifying, assessing and mitigating contractual and commercial risk.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, together with excellent negotiation and analytical skills.
- Ability to understand complex contractual documentation and recommend practical, commercially balanced amendments.
- Strong stakeholder-management skills and the confidence to work with Sales, Projects, Customer Support, senior management and external lawyers.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure, manage competing priorities and escalate matters appropriately.
- Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Willingness and ability to undertake regular international travel, sometimes at short notice.
Desirable experience:
The following would be advantageous, although not essential:
- Experience within engineering, manufacturing, construction, energy, utilities, power generation or infrastructure.
- Previous experience with gas turbines, CHP (Combined Heat and Power) or industrial power-generation equipment.
- Experience managing international or European commercial contracts.
- Knowledge of European legal systems, particularly French, German or Italian contract law/civil codes.
- Experience with bank guarantees, including advance payment, performance and warranty guarantees.
- Experience working with long-term maintenance, service or aftermarket contracts.
- Experience supporting complex engineering or technical projects.
Apply if:
You’ll be someone who enjoys getting into the detail of a contract while understanding the wider commercial picture. Enjoys challenging contractual terms, negotiating sensible amendments and explaining potential risks to non-legal colleagues. You’ll also understand that effective contract management is about enabling the business to achieve its objectives while managing commercial and contractual risk. You have a strong contracts or commercial experience gained in engineering, manufacturing, construction, energy, power generation, infrastructure, industrial or other technical environments.
Contracts Manager employer: Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd
Join a global leader in industrial maintenance at our Yeovil aerospace site, where you will thrive in a high-performance environment that values your mechanical expertise. Enjoy a supportive work culture with structured training and career progression opportunities, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous salary, early finishes on Fridays, and a matched pension scheme. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on Maintenance Engineer to contribute to continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing setting while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager
✨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
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✨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 Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager
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 Jonathan Lee Recruitment Ltd
✨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!