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.
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.
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
- 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 focused on building safety and decarbonisation within the social housing sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, including chartership support and a clear progression pathway, team members enjoy a collaborative culture that prioritises quality and client satisfaction. Located in London/South East, the company provides competitive benefits such as a generous salary, car allowance, private medical insurance, and ample holiday entitlement, making it an attractive choice for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
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 industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work, especially in fire safety and decarbonisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly in managing complex refurbishment projects. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
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 the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in managing similar projects and how you’ve built strong client relationships. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Contracts Manager, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you’ve mentored others and fostered a collaborative culture in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can inspire their teams!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application directly and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at tdm recruitment
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of projects the company handles, especially in fire safety and decarbonisation. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences managing similar projects, highlighting your role in ensuring compliance with regulations like the Building Safety Act.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Contracts Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to achieve project goals.
✨Understand the Financials
Brush up on your commercial acumen. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed P&L, valuations, and variations in previous roles. You might be asked to provide insights into how you would approach financial management for the projects you'll oversee.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Client and stakeholder management is key in this role. Think of examples where you've built strong relationships with clients or managed complex stakeholder environments. Be ready to discuss how you handle complaints and ensure resident satisfaction, as this will be crucial in your new position.
