Senior Contracts Manager

Job Description:

Feel like you’re ready for the next step? Already operating at a senior level but craving a role with real influence? Ready to take ownership, not just responsibility?

This business is at a point where strong contract leadership genuinely matters. They’re now looking for an experienced Senior Contract Manager to take control of complex steel and construction projects and to help shape how contracts are delivered across the operation.

If you understand the full lifecycle of construction projects, can balance commercial pressure with delivery reality, and know how to lead teams through detail, risk and change, this could be a defining move.

What’s the role?

This is a senior, hands-on contract leadership position. You’ll manage key projects directly while also leading and developing the wider contract management function.

You’ll sit close to the operational and commercial core of the business, trusted to make decisions, manage risk, protect margin and keep projects moving safely, efficiently and profitably.

You won’t be firefighting from the sidelines. You’ll be in the detail when needed and at a strategic level when it counts.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be responsible for the successful delivery of multiple construction contracts, from pre-construction through to final account.

That means you will:

• Take full ownership of contract delivery, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, to specification and within budget
• Lead, manage and motivate Contract Managers, Site Supervisors and project teams
• Oversee design, detailing and coordination phases, managing interfaces with clients, professional teams and internal detailers
• Identify, manage and submit variations, CE events and contractual notices to protect commercial position
• Plan and manage programmes in detail, mitigating risk while identifying commercial opportunity
• Coordinate manufacturing and fabrication routes, working closely with production teams and external suppliers
• Manage subcontractors, monitoring performance, outputs and compliance against programme
• Work closely with commercial teams to optimise applications, valuations and cost reporting
• Build strong, credible relationships with clients to minimise issues and create repeat business
• Support tendering activity with technical, programming and buildability input
• Ensure quality, safety, environmental and compliance standards are consistently achieved across all projects
• Track performance through KPIs, reporting progress and risk clearly at senior level

Alongside project delivery, you’ll also play a wider role in strengthening how contracts are managed across the business:

• Providing leadership to the contract management function
• Supporting sales, estimating and pre-construction teams during bids and pre-let stages
• Developing the supply chain to support future workload
• Driving consistency, efficiency and continuous improvement across sites and teams

Who this suits

You’ll already be operating in a senior contracts or project leadership role within construction, steelwork or a related sector. You understand how projects really succeed or fail, and you’re comfortable being accountable.

You’ll bring:

• Strong technical and commercial understanding of construction contract delivery
• Experience managing NEC or similar standard forms of contract
• The confidence to lead people, make decisions and hold others to account
• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills
• The ability to communicate clearly with clients, teams and senior stakeholders
• Solid IT capability and confidence with project and reporting systems
• A strong SHEQ mindset and attention to detail
• A full UK driving licence

Relevant industry qualifications (such as SMSTS, CSCS and related credentials) will be expected, with additional technical or planning software experience a plus.

What you’ll get in return

You’ll be stepping into a role with real authority and genuine scope to influence how the business operates. You’ll work alongside senior leaders who understand delivery, not just dashboards.

This is a chance to take ownership, build something stronger, and be recognised for doing the job properly.

If you’re ready for a senior contracts role where your judgement is trusted, your experience matters, and the expectations match the responsibility, whilst being part of a fantastic company, this is one worth exploring.