Senior Contracts Manager / Head of Construction
Location:
Manchester, North West
Salary:
Up to £90,000 Basic + Circa £30,000 Bonus
Package:
£120,000 OTE + Company Vehicle or Car Allowance
Working Pattern:
Hybrid | Permanent, Full-Time
Salary negotiable for the right candidate
The Opportunity
I am exclusively partnering with an ambitious, growing main contractor to appoint an experienced Senior Contracts Manager / Head of Construction to play a pivotal role in the continued development of its construction operations.
Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, this is a significant senior leadership appointment offering substantial autonomy, commercial responsibility and the opportunity to influence the direction of an expanding business.
My client is seeking an accomplished construction professional with a proven background in main contracting, capable of overseeing multiple projects, leading delivery teams and ensuring consistently high standards of operational and commercial performance.
The position would suit an established Senior Contracts Manager, Head of Construction or Operations Manager looking for greater responsibility, influence and long-term progression.
About the Business
My client is an established Manchester-based property and construction group operating throughout the North West and wider UK.
The business brings together three complementary disciplines covering Building Consultancy, Surveying & Structural Engineering and Main Contracting, providing clients with an integrated service from initial technical advice through to construction and project delivery.
Its contracting division undertakes a varied portfolio of commercial refurbishment, structural alterations, industrial developments, office fit-outs, extensions and complex construction schemes.
Working with established private and public-sector clients, the group has developed a strong pipeline of projects and is investing in its operational infrastructure to support ambitious growth plans.
The business retains an entrepreneurial, non-corporate culture, offering the successful individual genuine visibility, autonomy and the opportunity to help shape its future.
The Role
You will assume substantial responsibility for the operational management of the contracting division, overseeing multiple construction projects from pre-construction through to practical completion and final account.
Projects range from smaller, technically complex schemes through to substantial construction contracts, with relevant experience delivering projects between £1 million and £10 million+ particularly desirable.
Key responsibilities will include:
Leading the day-to-day operational delivery of multiple construction projects.
Managing and developing site managers, contracts managers, subcontractors and operational teams.
Overseeing project programmes, procurement, resources, quality and commercial performance.
Ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, on programme and to the required standards.
Working closely with commercial teams on budgets, cost control, variations, valuations and final accounts.
Managing contractual obligations, risks, delays and disputes, with strong working knowledge of JCT contracts.
Overseeing construction methodology, technical challenges, design coordination and buildability.
Reviewing project performance, identifying potential issues and implementing effective solutions.
Maintaining strong relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors.
Supporting tender reviews, value engineering, procurement strategies and pre-construction planning.
Establishing and improving operational processes, reporting structures and project delivery standards.
Maintaining high standards of health, safety, quality assurance and CDM compliance.
Working alongside the Group Managing Director on recruitment, resourcing, business strategy and continued growth.
This is a hands-on senior leadership position requiring someone who can take ownership of operational delivery while contributing to the longer-term development of the business.
The Candidate
We are seeking an experienced construction professional with a successful track record within an established UK main contractor.
You will ideally demonstrate:
Significant experience as a Senior Contracts Manager, Head of Construction, Operations Manager or Construction Director.
Proven experience overseeing multiple construction projects simultaneously.
A strong delivery record across construction projects valued between £1 million and £10 million+.
Experience across commercial refurbishment, industrial construction, structural alterations and complex building projects.
Excellent knowledge of JCT contracts, construction programming, procurement and project delivery.
Strong commercial awareness, including budgets, profitability, cost control and contractual risk.
Experience leading site managers, subcontractors and multidisciplinary project teams.
The ability to resolve technical, contractual and operational challenges independently.
Strong client-facing, communication and leadership skills.
A proactive, accountable and commercially minded approach.
Full UK driving licence.
CIOB membership, a relevant construction qualification and experience helping grow a regional main contractor would be advantageous, although practical experience and proven delivery capability are the priorities.
Career Development
This appointment offers considerably more than a conventional Contracts Manager position.
Working directly with the Group Managing Director, you will have the opportunity to influence the structure, operational standards and future direction of an expanding construction business.
As the company continues to grow, there is genuine potential to progress into a Construction Director or wider senior operational leadership position.
The successful individual will be joining at an important stage of the company's development, with the opportunity to establish themselves as a key member of its leadership team.
Remuneration & Benefits
Up to £90,000 basic salary
Circa £30,000 performance-related bonus
Total earning potential of approximately £120,000
Company vehicle or car allowance
Hybrid working
Direct reporting line to the Group Managing Director
Significant operational autonomy and responsibility
Opportunity to lead and develop an expanding construction team
Long-term progression towards Construction Director
Competitive package negotiable for the right individual
For further information or a confidential discussion, please apply directly or contact George Burkitt at James & Partners Talent.
All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence.