At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage multiple construction projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence.
- Company: Established contractor specialising in groundworks and retaining walls.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and diverse project ownership.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a mix of office and site work.
- Why this job: Take charge of exciting projects and collaborate with senior management.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 DOE + package, depending on experience
Location: Cannock
Position: Full-time, Permanent
Up Front Recruitment is working with an established specialist contractor delivering retaining walls, erosion control and hydroseeding packages. The business is looking to appoint an experienced Contracts Manager to take responsibility for the successful delivery of multiple projects, working across clients, subcontractors, technical teams, operations and site personnel.
This is a senior position offering genuine ownership across the project lifecycle, from early scope interpretation and costing through to programming, delivery, commercial control and project close-out. The role would suit a commercially aware and operationally strong Contracts Manager who is comfortable managing several projects at different stages and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
The business specialises in specialist groundworks and associated packages including retaining walls, erosion control and hydroseeding. Its delivery model requires close coordination between technical, estimating, sales, operations, logistics and site teams to ensure project requirements are understood correctly and works are properly planned before delivery.
The successful Contracts Manager will work closely with the Technical Director and Operations Manager, providing an important link between the company's office functions, clients, subcontractors and operational teams. The position has a strong focus on planning and coordination, with responsibility for ensuring projects are properly programmed, resourced and commercially controlled while maintaining the required health & safety and quality standards.
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a varied portfolio of concurrent projects, rather than being responsible for a single contract. The successful Contracts Manager will have involvement from early-stage scope and costing through to project completion, giving the role considerably broader exposure than a purely delivery-focused position. You will also have regular involvement with senior management, clients and operational teams, with the opportunity to influence how projects are planned, delivered and reviewed. The role combines office-based project management with external client and site interaction, initially expected to be approximately 80% office-based and 20% external.
As Contracts Manager, you will oversee multiple projects and packages, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently, on programme and within agreed budgets. You will coordinate project requirements, programmes, resources, costs, documentation and stakeholders while identifying commercial or operational risks at an early stage.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing multiple groundworks, retaining wall, erosion control and hydroseeding projects from planning through to completion.
- Leading weekly operations meetings, coordinating project start dates, staffing requirements, logistics and potential programme clashes.
- Acting as a key point of contact for clients, subcontractors, engineers and internal teams, ensuring project requirements and deliverables are clearly understood.
- Managing project programmes, costs and additional expenditure, identifying commercial risks and ensuring additional costs are captured.
- Working with technical, estimating and operations teams on early scope interpretation and costing before works commence.
- Ensuring project document control, QA processes and weekly site paperwork are maintained and completed.
- Leading project update and lessons-learned meetings, reporting project performance, successes and areas for improvement to senior leadership.
The ideal Contracts Manager will have experience managing multiple construction or civil engineering projects and be confident operating across both the commercial and operational aspects of delivery. You will need strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate different teams, manage competing priorities and identify issues before they affect programme or cost.
The business is looking for someone with:
- Proven experience in a Contracts Manager, Senior Contracts Manager or similar project leadership position.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and coordinating subcontractors and operational teams.
- A background in groundworks, civil engineering or closely related specialist construction works.
- Strong understanding of project programming, cost control, commercial risk and project documentation.
- Excellent client and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to lead meetings and communicate at senior level.
- A structured approach to H&S, QA, document control and project delivery.
This Contracts Manager position provides broad responsibility across a specialist project environment, combining client management, programming, commercial oversight and operational coordination. It is particularly suited to an experienced professional who wants ownership of multiple projects and regular interaction with both senior management and delivery teams.
Contact Mark at Up Front Recruitment for more information.
Contracts Manager - Retaining Walls / Groundworks in Birmingham employer: Upfront Recruitment
Join a well-established construction and fit-out business that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality projects across various sectors, the company offers competitive salaries, a car allowance, and a comprehensive benefits package. Employees are encouraged to grow professionally through exposure to complex projects and hands-on involvement with a senior team, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the fit-out industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager - Retaining Walls / Groundworks in Birmingham
✨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 Upfront Recruitment, 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 - Retaining Walls / Groundworks at Upfront Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager - Retaining Walls / Groundworks in Birmingham
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 Upfront Recruitment
✨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!
