At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage social housing contracts, ensuring quality and compliance from start to finish.
- Company: Established contractor with a strong presence in social housing maintenance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, company vehicle, pension, and holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Long-term career development opportunities within an experienced management team.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real difference in community housing.
- Qualifications: Experience in social housing contracts and relevant construction qualifications preferred.
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 basic + performance bonus + vehicle / car allowance + package
Location: Borough Green, Sevenoaks, Kent / Projects across London and the South East
Position: Full-time, Permanent
An established property maintenance and refurbishment contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Contracts Manager - Social Housing Planned Maintenance to take responsibility for a portfolio of planned works, cyclical decoration and refurbishment contracts across London and the South East. This is a senior operational role with genuine responsibility for contract performance. You will oversee delivery from mobilisation through to completion, managing operational teams, subcontractors, commercial performance and client relationships across occupied housing environments.
The company has been established for almost 30 years and works extensively with Housing Associations, Local Authorities and other public-sector clients. Its workload covers planned maintenance, cyclical decorations, internal and external refurbishment, voids, fire upgrades, roofing, kitchens and bathrooms, damp and mould works and general building repairs. Recent programmes have included cyclical decoration and repair schemes, void refurbishment, communal upgrades, fire-safety works and internal and external refurbishment across occupied and supported housing.
Why Join Them?
- This is an opportunity to join a long-established contractor with a strong presence across social housing maintenance and refurbishment.
- The business has built long-term client relationships and continues to invest in its people, systems and service delivery.
- You will be joining a company where the Contracts Manager has the authority to manage contracts properly rather than simply acting as a senior site manager.
The role offers:
- £55,000 - £65,000 basic salary depending on experience
- Potential performance-related bonus
- Company vehicle or car allowance
- Pension and holiday entitlement
- Established workload across London and the South East
- Long-term development within an experienced management team
The Role
As Contracts Manager - Social Housing Planned Maintenance, you will take overall responsibility for the operational, commercial and contractual performance of multiple contracts. A major part of the workload centres around painting and decorating, cyclical maintenance and property refurbishment, so experience delivering these works across occupied housing would be particularly relevant. You will manage programmes from mobilisation through to handover and final account, ensuring contracts remain safe, profitable, on programme and compliant with the client's specification.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing multiple planned maintenance, cyclical decoration and refurbishment contracts
- Leading Site Managers, Supervisors, directly employed operatives, subcontractors and supply-chain partners
- Planning labour, resources, programmes and delivery schedules across several workstreams
- Monitoring budgets, expenditure, variations, valuations, applications and contract profitability
- Working closely with Quantity Surveyors and the wider commercial team on forecasting and financial performance
- Managing Housing Association and Local Authority client relationships, including contract meetings, KPIs and SLAs
- Overseeing internal and external painting, preparation works, specialist coatings, repairs and associated building works
- Ensuring quality standards, snagging and right-first-time performance are maintained
- Managing works sensitively within occupied properties, retirement housing and other resident-facing environments
- Maintaining Health & Safety standards, RAMS, site inspections and subcontractor compliance
What We're Looking For
You will need proven experience managing contracts within social housing, planned maintenance, refurbishment or a closely related maintenance environment. Of particular interest will be candidates with experience of cyclical decorating, painting and decorating programmes or wider planned maintenance contracts for Housing Associations and Local Authorities. SMSTS, CSCS, IOSH and construction-related qualifications such as an NVQ, HNC or HND would be advantageous, as would experience working with JCT or NEC contracts. Experience across additional planned works including voids, kitchens and bathrooms, roofing, windows and doors, damp and mould remediation, fire upgrades, responsive repairs or communal refurbishment would also be useful.
Contact Mark at Up Front Recruitment for more information.
Contracts Manager - Social Housing Planned Maintenance in Sevenoaks 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 - Social Housing Planned Maintenance in Sevenoaks
✨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 - Social Housing Planned Maintenance at Upfront Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager - Social Housing Planned Maintenance in Sevenoaks
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!
