Senior Contracts (Project) Manager in Newry

Are you looking for an integral position in a rapidly growing sector? A dynamic working day with a range of bespoke, local and international projects? An organisation that encourages personal development and rewards excellence? That's us! MJM Marine is a progressive, flexible and rapidly growing specialist joinery and interior fit-out contractor. The business has built a reputation for excellence and innovation by delivering major marine projects for local and global clients and due to significant growth, the opportunity has arisen for a Senior Contracts (Project) Manager to join the team at our Newry Office, Northern Ireland.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the successful delivery of high‑value contracts and projects, providing leadership, strategic oversight and commercial management to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to an exceptional standard. They will lead and develop the Contracts Management Team, ensure alignment with MJM’s strategic objectives, core values and contribute to continuous improvement across the organisation.

• Contract Management: Overall responsibility ensuring contracts/projects are delivered on time, within budget and of excellent quality. Maintain full knowledge of relevant contractual terms to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and ensure compliance across contract management teams. Record and manage contractual variances, secure agreement on scope and price with relevant stakeholders. Ensure all aspects of the contract/project meet with customer requirements and satisfaction to ensure prompt payment.
• Project Delivery & Programme Control: Prepare and own project/contract budgets; provide progress reports to senior management and Executive Team. Accountability for commercial success of contracts; support managers in setting budgets and delivery of projects. Develop and maintain realistic project delivery programmes with internal teams; chair weekly reviews. Identify long‑lead items; produce procurement schedules and material take‑offs to protect the critical path. Ensure wash up meetings and end of project reviews for delivered projects are carried out effectively.
• Commercial & Subcontractor Management: Identify, appoint and manage subcontractors; negotiate favourable terms and monitor performance. Optimise resources and manpower; manage variances to meet delivery requirements. Take proactive action to address commercial risks, complaints and outstanding issues.
• Stakeholder & Client Management: Build strong relationships with customers; ensure clear, timely communication and customer satisfaction. Liaise with internal departments to ensure coordinated, efficient delivery and optimum resource use.
• Leadership & Team Development: Provide leadership, direction and mentorship to Contract Managers, Assistant Contract Managers and project delivery teams. Support with the design and implementation of career progression and succession strategy. Undertake reviews and appraisals of Contract Management Team members. Support recruitment of team members as required by the Contracts Directors. Ensure team members understand contract/project requirements and terms which impact their duties. Uphold company KPIs and drive performance against targets.
• Site Installation & Health and Safety Leadership: Take overall responsibility for health and safety requirements across each contract. Ensure robust H&S practices within project-specific site installation activities. Work with the Health & Safety Manager to drive continuous improvement.
• Compliance Management: Ensure all operations are fully compliant, with processes and procedures being met ethically and legally and in accordance with Company Policy and Procedures. Provide advice, guidance and direction as required to other Companies with a common shareholder. Comply with Company and Statutory Health and Safety requirements. Effectively use computer programmes as provided by the Company.

You will be expected to participate in education, training or development as is necessary, to enable the company to achieve the company’s objectives as communicated to you. Please note that the above duties do not appear in any order of priority. The company reserves the right to add to or subtract from the above duties at their own discretion as the role evolves.

• Minimum 8 years’ experience working in fit out and construction industry as a Senior Contracts/Projects Manager.
• Track record of managing and delivering high value/multiple projects.
• Strong communication, organisation and project planning skills.
• Experience of building, leading and managing high performing teams.
• Commercial awareness with informed decision‑making and value engineering mindset.
• Sound knowledge of construction/marine practices, standards and material selection.
• Effective upward reporting with early identification of issues impacting productivity and commerciality.

• Communication - the ability to communicate effectively, using a variety of mediums to a wide range of audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Negotiating and Commercial Financial and Analytical Planning & Organising Accountability - takes personal responsibility for actions.
• Building Relationships - ability to build relationships, interact sensitively, use effective networks.
• Resilience - copes effectively under pressure.
• Problem Solving - strong problem-solving ability.

Extensive worldwide travel in accordance with the roles commercial functionality which will involve working for periods of time on sites throughout the world. It would be desirable but not essential if the candidate had experience working in the marine fit out industry.

Applicants will be expected to provide written evidence of their right to work in the UK. MJM Marine is a recipient of a Gold Investors in People award and a Bronze Diversity Mark. Our culture ensures a working environment that enables personal growth and development.

For further information contact Paula McDermott on or telephone 02830258450. MJM Marine is an Equal Opportunities Employer.