Special Projects Contract Manager- Building Safety & Compliance

Special Projects Contract Manager (Building Safety & Compliance)

Location: London

Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office

Rate: £450-£500 per day Inside IR35

Role Overview

A large London local authority is seeking an experienced Special Projects Contract Manager to join its Housing, Building Safety & Compliance function.

This is a specialist contract management role focused on the delivery of high-risk, safety-critical works across a large residential property portfolio. The successful candidate will oversee contracts relating to external wall systems, fire safety and investigative works, ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly, within budget and to agreed performance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Contract & Project Management

• Manage safety-critical contracts delivering investigative and exploratory works across a significant residential portfolio
• Oversee surveys, inspections and technical investigations relating to external wall systems and building safety
• Manage the delivery of Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs), including assessments aligned with PAS 9980
• Coordinate spandrel panel investigations, render and façade assessments and Fire Risk Assessments
• Monitor contractors against agreed KPIs, specifications, programme milestones, quality standards and contractual obligations
• Ensure works are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance and internal governance requirements
• Identify delivery risks and take appropriate action to mitigate delays, performance issues and compliance concerns

Procurement & Commercial Management

• Lead end-to-end procurement exercises for new building safety and exploratory works contracts
• Develop procurement documentation, specifications, scopes of work and internal approval reports
• Manage tendering, evaluation, contract award and mobilisation processes
• Administer existing contracts and ensure suppliers deliver against agreed contractual requirements
• Drive value for money while maintaining appropriate quality and safety standards
• Maintain strong commercial oversight across contract delivery

Performance & Budget Management

• Lead contractor performance management across quality, cost, programme and service delivery
• Manage budgets associated with investigative, enabling and building safety works
• Monitor expenditure, forecasting and financial commitments
• Identify financial risks and implement appropriate controls
• Produce clear financial and performance reporting for internal stakeholders

Legal & Risk Management

• Work closely with legal teams where defects or contractual failures may result in claims against contractors or developers
• Support the preparation of technical and contractual evidence for potential legal proceedings
• Manage contractual disputes and ensure issues are escalated and resolved appropriately
• Maintain clear audit trails and contract documentation to support governance and legal requirements

Funding & Compliance

• Support and lead applications to relevant remediation funding programmes, including the Cladding Safety Scheme
• Ensure compliance with funding conditions and reporting requirements
• Coordinate technical evidence and documentation required to support funding applications
• Maintain awareness of relevant building safety, fire safety and remediation requirements

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build effective relationships with contractors, consultants, legal teams, residents and internal stakeholders
• Provide clear updates on project delivery, risks, financial position and key decisions
• Work collaboratively with housing, building safety, procurement, finance and legal colleagues
• Support briefings for senior leadership and elected members where required

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience as a Contracts Manager within social housing, construction, property or building safety
• Proven experience procuring contracts within a social housing environment
• Strong experience managing contracts from procurement through mobilisation and delivery
• Experience procuring and managing fire safety and/or building safety contracts
• Strong knowledge of contractor performance management and commercial contract administration
• Experience managing complex, high-risk programmes or projects across multiple properties
• Strong understanding of fire safety, building safety and external wall systems
• Knowledge of FRAEWs, PAS 9980, Fire Risk Assessments and façade investigations
• Experience developing specifications, scopes of work and tender documentation
• Strong budget management, forecasting and financial control skills
• Experience managing contractual disputes, risks and performance issues
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within local government or a large social housing provider
• Knowledge of the Cladding Safety Scheme and Building Safety Fund
• Experience supporting legal claims relating to defective construction or external wall systems
• Experience working across large and complex residential property portfolios

Important Information

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
• Applicants should have demonstrable experience procuring and managing contracts within a social housing environment
• Relevant fire safety and building safety contract management experience will be particularly important for this position
• Rates depend on experience and client requirements