[261029B] Estates Construction Contracts Manager

Reach South Academy Trust; Calne; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Career progression

Employee Assistance Programme

Training & development

Job summary

Reach South Academy Trust is seeking an Estates Construction Contracts Manager to lead the delivery of construction, refurbishment and capital improvement projects across its schools. You will oversee end-to-end project lifecycles, from feasibility to final accounts, ensuring safe, on-time delivery within budget.

Reporting to the Head of Estates and Compliance, you will manage budgets, procurement, CDM compliance and contract administration, while supporting sustainability and stakeholder

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent qualification in construction or a related field.
• Significant experience delivering construction projects from inception to completion.
• Strong knowledge of JCT contracts, procurement and contract administration.
• Experience managing budgets and capital investment programmes.
• Thorough understanding of CDM Regulations and health and safety requirements.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing construction, refurbishment and maintenance projects across multiple academy sites.
• Leading procurement and tendering exercises for contractors and consultants.
• Administering and managing JCT construction contracts.
• Monitoring project performance, budgets, risks and quality standards.
• Managing SCA funded projects and expenditure.
• Ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations and Trust policies.
• Providing professional advice to school leaders and stakeholders.
• Supporting sustainability initiatives across the Trust.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Contract administration

Health & safety compliance

Budget oversight

Education

Degree in Construction/Building Surveying/Quantity Surveying/Project Management/Estate Management

Tools

JCT contracts

Procurement processes

Contract administration

Job description

Post: Estates Construction Contracts Manager

Remote/Hybrid

FTE Salary Range: NJC Grade I Pt 35 - 40; £47,722 - £53,378

Contract Type: Permanent, full time

Contract Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, job share, compressed hours, or staggered hours. Please wait until the job offer stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what’s possible for the role.

Lead the Delivery of Major Construction Projects Across Our Schools

Are you an experienced construction professional ready to make a lasting impact on educational communities?

Reach South Academy Trust is seeking an ambitious and highly skilled Estates Construction Contracts Manager to lead the delivery of construction, refurbishment and capital improvement projects across our diverse and growing estate. This is an exciting opportunity to manage a significant programme of works, helping to create safe, inspiring and sustainable learning environments for children and young people across our schools.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Estates and Compliance, you will take responsibility for the full lifecycle of construction projects, from feasibility and procurement through to contract management, delivery and final account. You will oversee projects funded through the School Condition Allocation (SCA) programme and other capital funding streams, ensuring schemes are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest standards.

Working closely with Regional Estates Managers, consultant surveyors and contractors, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the Trust's long‑term investment strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing construction, refurbishment and maintenance projects across multiple academy sites.
• Leading procurement and tendering exercises for contractors and consultants.
• Administering and managing JCT construction contracts.
• Monitoring project performance, budgets, risks and quality standards.
• Managing School Condition Allocation (SCA) funded projects and expenditure.
• Ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations, statutory requirements and Trust policies.
• Providing professional advice to school leaders and stakeholders.
• Supporting sustainability initiatives and environmental improvements throughout the Trust.

About the successful candidate

You will be a confident and experienced project professional with:

• A degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Construction, Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Estate Management or a related discipline.
• Significant experience managing construction projects from inception to completion.
• Strong knowledge of JCT contracts, procurement and contract administration.
• Experience managing budgets, contractor performance and capital investment programmes.
• A thorough understanding of construction health and safety legislation, including CDM Regulations.
• Outstanding project management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Professional membership with RICS or a recognised project management qualification such as PRINCE2 or APM would be advantageous.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all‑through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high‑quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that theyshare our values, arehighly motivated towork with colleagues, within and beyond their school, tocontinuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Closing date: for applications is 6th December 2026

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for 16th December 2026

Opportunities and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits.

We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e‑learning and face‑to‑face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment.