At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fire safety and decarbonisation projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Established contractor focused on building safety and sustainability in social housing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, performance bonus, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and clear career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in community safety while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 5+ years as a Contracts Manager with experience in refurbishment or retrofit projects.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 95000 € per year.
About the Company
Our client is a well-established specialist main contractor delivering critical building safety and decarbonisation programmes across the social housing sector. With long-term frameworks secured with housing associations, local authorities, and private landlords, they offer genuine stability and career progression in a sector that's never been more essential. Their portfolio includes high-value façade remediation, fire safety compliance works, and PAS 2035-compliant retrofit programmes operating on projects from £5M to £25M+ with a secured pipeline extending through 2029 and beyond. This is a business built on technical excellence, client relationships, and delivering complex refurbishment projects on occupied residential stock.
The Role
We're recruiting an experienced Contracts Manager to take ownership of a mixed portfolio of fire safety and decarbonisation projects across London and the South East. This is a hands-on leadership role, you'll manage projects directly while overseeing a small team of Project Managers and Site Managers, ensuring delivery to programme, budget, and the highest quality standards. You'll be the main client interface on your contracts, responsible for commercial performance, risk management, resident satisfaction, and ensuring full compliance with Building Safety Act requirements, PAS 2035 standards, and CDM 2015 Regulations. This role requires someone who can balance direct project delivery with strategic oversight rolling your sleeves up when needed while developing the team around you.
Key Responsibilities
- Project & Contract Delivery: Manage a portfolio of projects valued between £5M - £15M (typically 2-4 live schemes concurrently). Deliver fire safety remediation works including ACM/HPL cladding replacement, compartmentation upgrades, fire door installations, and balcony replacements. Oversee decarbonisation/retrofit programmes including external wall insulation (EWI), ASHP installations, solar PV, ventilation upgrades, and fabric-first measures under PAS 2035. Ensure all works are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification on live, occupied residential buildings. Manage project handovers, O&M manuals, Building Safety Act compliance documentation (Golden Thread), and defects liability periods.
- Commercial & Financial Management: Full P&L responsibility for contracts – monitor costs, cash flow, and commercial performance. Manage monthly valuations, applications for payment, and final accounts with clients. Assess and price variations, compensation events, and change orders (NEC3/4 and JCT contract experience). Implement Early Warning procedures and manage risk/opportunity registers. Work closely with Commercial/QS teams to protect margin and maximise profitability. Procure and manage subcontractor packages, ensuring value for money and quality delivery.
- Team Leadership & Development: Line manage Project Managers, Site Managers, and Assistant Site Managers. Conduct performance reviews, set KPIs, and support professional development. Mentor team members towards chartership (MCIOB, MRICS, etc.). Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on quality and client satisfaction.
- Client & Stakeholder Management: Act as senior client-facing contact – attend monthly progress meetings, steering groups, and board presentations. Build strong relationships with housing association directors, local authority officers, and asset management teams. Manage complex stakeholder environments including leaseholders, freeholders, RMCs, and residents. Coordinate with Resident Liaison Officers (RLOs) to minimise disruption, manage decants, and maintain resident satisfaction scores. Handle complaints, concerns, and escalations professionally and promptly.
Essential Requirements
- Proven Contracts Manager experience in refurbishment, retrofit, or building safety works (minimum 5+ years at this level).
- Strong background in social housing, local authority, or housing association projects – understanding of tenant liaison, decants, and occupied schemes.
- Experience managing fire safety/cladding remediation OR decarbonisation/retrofit projects.
- Knowledge of PAS 2035, Building Safety Act 2022, EWS1, Building Regulations Part L & Part B.
- Solid commercial acumen – experience managing P&L, valuations, variations, and final accounts.
- Competent with NEC3/4 and JCT contracts (D&B, Intermediate, Minor Works).
- Team leadership experience – managing Project Managers and site-based staff.
- Degree qualified (Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Surveying, or similar) or HNC/HND with significant experience.
- CSCS Black Card – SMSTS, First Aid at Work desirable.
- Full UK driving licence.
What's On Offer
- Salary: £95,000 per annum.
- Car Allowance.
- Performance Bonus.
- Pension.
- Private Medical Insurance (including family cover after probation).
- Life Assurance.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (rising to 28 days with service).
- Professional development: Chartership support, CPD allowance, industry training, and conference attendance.
- Progression: Clear pathway to Senior Contracts Manager, Operations Manager, or Divisional Director roles.
Contract Manager employer: tdm recruitment
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises employee growth and development within the critical sectors of fire safety and decarbonisation. With a strong focus on stability and career progression, employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive packages, and a culture that fosters collaboration and high performance. Located in London/South East, this role provides the unique opportunity to lead impactful projects while contributing to essential community safety initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to fire safety and decarbonisation, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience managing contracts and leading teams in a way that highlights your achievements. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in project delivery and client management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contracts Manager role. Highlight your experience in fire safety and decarbonisation projects, and don’t forget to mention your P&L management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about building safety and how your leadership style can benefit our team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your relevant experience managing refurbishment or retrofit projects. Mention specific projects you've worked on and the outcomes you achieved. We’re looking for results-driven candidates!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at tdm recruitment
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of NEC3/4 and JCT contracts. Be ready to discuss your experience managing P&L, valuations, and variations, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on the Building Safety Act and PAS 2035 standards to show you’re the right fit.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you’ll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed Project Managers and Site Managers in the past. Highlight your approach to mentoring and developing team members towards chartership, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Client Relationship Management
This role involves being the main client interface, so come prepared with examples of how you’ve built strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. Discuss how you’ve handled complaints and maintained resident satisfaction scores, as this is key in the social housing sector.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you’ve faced in fire safety or decarbonisation projects and how you overcame them. This will help demonstrate your ability to balance direct project delivery with strategic oversight.
