Contracts Manager in Grays

Company Joseph Gallagher Limited is a specialist sub‑contractor delivering civil engineering tunnelling, pipe jacking and trenchless pipeline installations for utilities and main contractors. We operate on technically demanding underground infrastructure projects throughout the UK and overseas.

Role purpose: Lead and deliver the operational, commercial and safety performance of all projects allocated to you. You will manage Project Managers, ensure safe on‑time delivery, protect margin, control contractual risk and drive consistently high standards across projects in your region.

Key responsibilities:

• Operational leadership: own and oversee day‑to‑day delivery performance for assigned projects; ensure programme, resourcing, plant and logistics align with contractual commitments.
• Commercial management: commercially aware of project budgets, cashflow and profitability; contribute to cost forecasting, change control, variations and contribute to securing entitlements and timely settlements.
• Safety & compliance: be accountable for HSEQ performance across projects; enforce safe systems of work, ensure regulatory and client requirements are met and be an ambassador for “LIFE” safety culture.
• Contract administration: manage contractual obligations and notices (NEC/JCT/bespoke), maintain contract registers and ensure robust records for claims and accounts.
• Team management: line‑manage Project Managers; set objectives, monitor performance, coach and develop the team; coordinate specialist subcontractors and site leadership. Recognise and nurture future talent.
• Stakeholder engagement: be the senior operational/commercial interface with clients, main contractors, designers and supply chain; optimise efficiency, resolve disputes and elevate appropriately.
• Risk & change control: maintain and review project risk registers; implement mitigation actions and ensure accurate commercial treatment of changes.
• Reporting & close‑out: produce regular operational and commercial reports for the Contracts Director; manage invoicing, cash collection, month‑end reconciliations and final account settlement.
• Continuous improvement: standardise best practice across projects, share lessons learned and support bids with delivery input.
• Pre‑construction: where assigned, adopt the role of bid director representing the business and pursuing strategic workload.

Key performance indicators (KPIs):

• Trusted advisor to client
• Day one final account mindset
• Project margin vs budget and forecast accuracy
• Variation recovery and claims settlement/value recovered
• HSEQ metrics (LTIs, near misses, audits pass rate)
• Programme adherence and on‑time milestones
• Cashflow and debtor days
• Team performance and retention

Experience & qualifications:

• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in operational/contracts management within civil engineering, ideally tunnelling, pipe jacking or trenchless works.
• Demonstrable record of managing multiple projects and leading Project Managers.
• Strong experience with UK contract forms (NEC preferred) and managing variations/claims.
• Commercial competence: budgeting, forecasting, cost control and final accounts.
• Practical site experience and understanding of heavy civils, plant, logistics and groundworks.
• Pre‑construction exposure and fully understands and can perform in the role of bid director.
• Relevant qualifications: HND/degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Management.
• Chartered or professional membership desirable.
• HSEQ qualifications desirable: NEBOSH General Certificate, SMSTS or equivalent.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel/overnight stays across region.

Skills & behaviours:

• Strong commercial judgement, numeracy and analytical skills
• Excellent leadership, coaching and people management
• Effective negotiator and confident client communicator
• Decisive, organised, resilient under pressure with attention to detail
• Collaborative, safety‑first mindset and continuous improvement focus

IT & systems:

• Proficient with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with ERP/project systems (e.g. CostX, Aconex, SAP, Primavera/MS Project) advantageous.

Employment:

• Contract: Full‑time, permanent.
• Travel: Regular regional travel; occasional overnight stays required.

Company Background: The Joseph Gallagher Group is a family owned Civil Engineering business that delivers expertise whilst putting client satisfaction at the core of the business. Built on a personal reputation for honesty and quality, we understand the actions we take affect the communities and environments we operate in.

LIFE Culture: We're promoting a culture change within the industry and demonstrating initiatives to dramatically improve Health, Safety and Wellbeing. In 2014, we launched our award‑winning cultural safety programme (LIFE) which is deeply embedded into the company’s DNA and core values.

Disability Confident Committed: We are disability confident employer and we're committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Adjustments: We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to enable you to be the best you can, please contact the HR team at HR@josephgallagher.co.uk.