At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage roofing contracts from start to finish, ensuring profitability and quality.
- Company: Established roofing and construction contractor with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company vehicle, private healthcare, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
- Why this job: Take ownership of projects and make a real impact in the construction industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing roofing contracts and strong client management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: West Sussex, with travel across London & the South East
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
The Opportunity
SearchTech is recruiting an experienced Contracts Manager on behalf of an established and growing specialist roofing and construction contractor operating across London and the South East. This is a senior operational and commercially focused position with responsibility for the full lifecycle delivery of a portfolio of roofing and associated construction projects, from pre-construction and enabling works through to completion and final account. This is not simply a project oversight role. The successful Contracts Manager will take genuine ownership of contract performance, including commercial control, supply chain management, project profitability, client relationships and the development of site-based teams. You will work closely with senior operational management while having significant autonomy across your own project portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Contract & Commercial Management
- Take full ownership of contract performance across assigned projects from pre-construction through to final account.
- Control project costs including labour, materials, subcontract packages and overhead recovery.
- Review valuations, variations and final accounts to ensure accurate and timely commercial recovery.
- Proactively identify, record and submit variations.
- Maintain accurate financial forecasting and cost reporting across the project portfolio.
- Identify opportunities to improve project margins and strengthen the commercial position of each contract.
- Ensure contractual notices, obligations and relevant time bars are managed correctly.
- Work closely with commercial and senior management teams to ensure clear visibility of project performance.
- Supply Chain & Procurement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and key supply chain partners.
- Manage subcontract packages commercially from procurement through to final account.
- Ensure materials are ordered accurately, competitively and within appropriate lead times.
- Minimise waste and identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency.
- Develop preferred supplier relationships that support quality, value and reliable delivery.
- Identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing and improve commercial terms.
- Operational Leadership
- Ensure projects are properly planned, resourced and mobilised from the outset.
- Support and develop Site Managers while maintaining clear accountability for delivery.
- Monitor projects against programme, budget and agreed quality standards.
- Identify risks early and implement corrective actions before they impact programme or profitability.
- Ensure works comply with drawings, specifications, manufacturer requirements and statutory obligations.
- Drive continuous improvement in project planning, procurement and delivery.
- Health, Safety & Quality
- Promote a positive and proactive safety culture across all projects.
- Ensure compliance with RAMS, CDM Regulations, the Building Safety Act and company H&S requirements.
- Maintain consistently high standards of workmanship and quality.
- Minimise defects, rework and poor-quality handovers.
- Support audits, investigations and corrective actions where required.
- Ensure SHEQ requirements are embedded throughout each project's lifecycle.
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, contract administrators and supply chain partners.
- Represent the business professionally throughout the delivery process.
- Manage client expectations proactively and communicate project issues clearly and early.
- Resolve issues before they escalate wherever possible.
- Develop long-term relationships that encourage repeat business.
- Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and project scopes.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, support and hold accountable Site Managers and operational teams across the portfolio.
- Conduct regular project and performance reviews.
- Identify training and development requirements.
- Support succession planning and the development of junior and intermediate managers.
- Promote a working culture based on integrity, collaboration, professionalism and accountability.
- Technical Responsibilities
- Maintain a strong understanding of roofing systems and associated construction works.
- Provide credible technical support throughout project delivery.
- Ensure manufacturer specifications and guarantee requirements are achieved.
- Stay informed on new roofing products, systems, technologies and industry best practice.
Candidate Requirements
- Essential
- Proven experience managing roofing or construction contracts with commercial responsibility.
- Strong understanding of project cost control, variations and financial performance.
- Experience commercially managing subcontractors and supply chain packages.
- Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience leading site-based operational teams.
- Good understanding of health and safety legislation, CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act.
- Commercially focused, organised and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Desirable
- SMSTS certification.
- Construction, surveying, commercial management or related qualification.
- Experience working within public sector, framework or negotiated contract environments.
- Strong knowledge of roofing systems.
- Experience using digital project management and reporting platforms.
What Success Looks Like
The successful Contracts Manager will consistently deliver projects safely, profitably and to a high standard. Projects will achieve or outperform target margins, variations will be properly captured and recovered, supply chain costs will be controlled and final accounts will be concluded efficiently. Equally important will be the development of strong Site Managers, long-term client relationships and a project portfolio where risks are identified and resolved early.
Package & Benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience.
- Company vehicle or vehicle allowance.
- Private healthcare, with the option to extend cover to family members.
- Phone, tablet and laptop.
- Ongoing investment in training, qualifications and professional development.
- Genuine autonomy over a portfolio of projects.
- Clear opportunities for progression into senior operational management.
SearchTech is acting as recruitment partner for this appointment. Applications will be treated confidentially.
Contracts Manager - Roofing in Brighton employer: SearchTech
As a leading specialist roofing and construction contractor in West Sussex, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth. Our employees enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including private healthcare, and the opportunity for ongoing training and development, all while managing their own project portfolios with significant autonomy. Join us to be part of a team that not only prioritises safety and quality but also invests in your future through clear pathways for career progression.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager - Roofing in Brighton
✨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 SearchTech, 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 - Roofing at SearchTech.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager - Roofing in Brighton
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 SearchTech
✨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!
