Overview:

We are working on behalf of a leading main contractor to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager for a key role on the United Utilities framework, covering the Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside areas.

This is an excellent opportunity for a driven Contracts Manager with strong civil and water sector experience to take ownership of project delivery, commercial performance, SHEQ standards and client relationships across multiple schemes.

The successful Contracts Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, to programme and to the highest quality standards, while leading teams and maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

As Contracts Manager, you will be responsible for the successful commercial, operational and contractual delivery of projects across the framework. Your duties will include:

• Planning and programming works in sufficient detail to ensure smooth delivery, while managing procurement, material reconciliation and subcontractor engagement to avoid delays and maintain best value

• Ensuring compliance with commercial policies and procedures, attending tender handover and pre-start meetings, and producing monthly commercial plans, forecasts, progress reports and CVRs

• Managing risk through regular review of registers and controls, as well as overseeing contract initiation and completion documentation, budget reviews and look-ahead planning

• Chairing internal and external meetings, maintaining accurate records and managing both temporary and permanent design input to meet project requirements

• Promoting the highest standards of health, safety, environmental and quality compliance, including site inspections, audits, H&S documentation, training and regulatory compliance

• Ensuring ITPs and QA files are produced and maintained, while building strong relationships with the client, leading progress meetings and supporting delivery with minimal community impact

Qualifications:

To be considered for this Contracts Manager position, you will need:

• Extensive experience managing projects within a civil engineering or water environment

• Strong working knowledge of contract conditions, CDM regulations, design management, programme management, risk management and cost control

• Experience with MS Project, with P6 being advantageous

• Knowledge of NEC contracts, including Early Warning and Compensation Event processes

• HNC, HND or Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline

• SMSTS

• CSCS card

• Experience in pre-qualification and tendering for multi-disciplinary projects

• Excellent people management skills with the ability to influence, mentor and lead teams

Desirable

• CEng MICE, or equivalent

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate

• Experience leading client-facing projects within the water sector

• Heavy civils experience

• MEICA delivery experience

Benefits:

This Contracts Manager opportunity offers a competitive package and the chance to join a respected main contractor with a strong pipeline of work. Benefits include:

• Competitive salary, company pension, life assurance and private medical cover

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and loyalty days

• Company car, car allowance, green car scheme or van, depending on the role

• Employee Assistance Programme, flexible benefits via salary sacrifice and volunteering allowance

• Ongoing leadership training, coaching, internal and external development opportunities, plus long service awards

If you are an ambitious Contracts Manager with civil and water sector experience and want to join a forward-thinking main contractor delivering important infrastructure projects, we would like to hear from you.