At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage contracts for high-impact engineering projects and ensure successful delivery.
- Company: Join Trant Engineering, a leading EPC contractor with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development support, and a strong safety culture.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and professional qualifications.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and knowledge of UK construction law required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Join Trant Engineering and help shape the delivery of complex, high-impact projects. Trant Engineering is a leading EPC contractor with a strong reputation for delivering innovative engineering solutions across the UK and internationally. With over 1,000 employees and a £150m turnover, we are growing and now looking for a Contracts Manager to play a key role in our project delivery teams.
As a Contracts Manager you'll be responsible for the commercial and contractual management of multiple engineering projects ensuring that projects are delivered within budget, on time, and in accordance with contractual obligations. The Contracts Manager will provide commercial guidance to project teams, manage client and subcontractor relationships, and mitigate risks associated with contracts and project delivery.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Technical Responsibilities - Contract & Commercial Management
- Manage successful project delivery and commercial performance across projects.
- Manage projects under specific contract terms for example NEC 4 ensuring compliance and proactive contract management.
- Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with clients including transmission operators, network operators, EPC partners and fuel and gas operators.
- Ensure project delivery aligns with client business plans and programme constraints.
- Monitor and report on projects including performance metrics on cost, schedule, safety, carbon and customer impact.
- Support resolution of technical, commercial or programme risk and issues.
- Drive consistent application of company processes, systems and best practice.
- Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and company standards.
- Develop and implement processes for contract administration, risk management, and reporting.
- Support audits, inspections, and quality assessments relating to contracts.
- Safety, Health, Environmental, Quality & Compliance
- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all SHEQ, industry and client standards.
- Ensure compliance with environmental permits.
- Drive delivery of carbon reduction, sustainability and biodiversity targets in line with client commitments.
- Promote innovation in construction methods, digital delivery and sustainable solutions.
- Monitor and audit sites in all aspects of safety, quality and compliance.
- Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for contractual and commercial matters with clients and site team.
- Maintain positive working relationships with clients, subcontractors, and suppliers.
- Resolve contractual disputes or issues in a timely and professional manner.
- Leadership & Support
- Provide leadership, guidance and support to project managers, site teams, and the wider construction and support teams.
- Promote consistent application of company processes and best practice.
- Support the professional development of project staff as required.
- Collaborate with commercial teams on contractual management of the contract.
- Key Interfaces:
- Internal Interfaces: Directors/Framework Managers, Project Managers / Site Managers, Operations / Engineering Teams, SHEQ Teams, Finance & Commercial Teams.
- External Interfaces: Clients / End Users / Asset Owners, Subcontractors / Suppliers, Consultants, Regulators / Authorities (where applicable).
- Core Values
- Uphold and promote the Company’s Core Values: Care, Trust, Respect and Sustainability.
You may be required to undertake additional duties, consistent with the responsibilities and level of this role, beyond those specified above.
What We’re Looking For
- Essential
- NVQ/HND/HNC in Engineering, Construction, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
- Strong knowledge of UK construction and engineering contract law (e.g., NEC, JCT, FIDIC).
- SMSTS.
- Proven experience managing multiple contracts across engineering or construction projects, preferably in water, energy, or infrastructure.
- Experience negotiating, drafting, and administering contracts, including variations and claims.
- Demonstrable experience in budget management, cost control, and risk mitigation on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong track record of client and stakeholder management, including dispute resolution.
- Desirable
- Membership of a professional body such as CIOB, RICS, ICWCI, or AACE.
- Formal training or qualification in project management (e.g., PRINCE2, APM).
- SMSTS.
- Experience in procurement and subcontractor management for engineering projects.
- Familiarity with regulatory compliance and reporting in the water or energy sectors.
Why Join Trant?
- At Trant, we offer the opportunity for career development and progression within a professional working environment, and we strongly encourage employees to gain professional qualifications and fully support individuals on their journeys towards chartership.
- Work on complex, meaningful engineering projects.
- Be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team.
- Strong pipeline of secured work and career progression opportunities.
- Innovative environment with in-house design and manufacturing capability.
- Long-term secured framework work.
- Clear career development opportunities.
- Strong safety and wellbeing culture.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Our company benefits package includes:
- Competitive salary.
- Company car or car allowance (some levels).
- Mentored support within our Career Development Association, to work towards chartership.
- 24 days holiday (increasing with service) + 8 bank holidays.
- Options to buy additional holiday via salary sacrifice.
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Flexible working based on a core hours system.
- 1 x Professional Membership paid annually.
- Hybrid working.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Free onsite parking.
- Bike to Work Scheme.
- Discretionary annual bonus.
Ready to take the next step in your planning career? Apply now and be part of something bigger.
Contracts Manager - Reading Area based employer: Trant Engineering Limited
Trant Engineering is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment where employees can thrive in their careers. With a strong focus on professional development, including support for chartership and access to innovative engineering projects, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises safety and wellbeing. Located in the Reading area, Trant provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, ensuring that team members are well-equipped to succeed both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager - Reading Area based
✨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 Trant Engineering Limited, 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 - Reading Area based at Trant Engineering Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager - Reading Area based
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 Trant Engineering Limited
✨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!
