Contract Manager

Kenton Black; Cranfield; On-site; GBP 66,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car/allowance

Bonus scheme

Pension

Private healthcare

Career progression

Job summary

Kenton Black is seeking a Contract Manager for residential groundworks across Bedfordshire and surrounding counties. You will oversee multiple projects, lead Site and Project Managers, and ensure safety, quality, programme adherence, and profitability while maintaining strong client relationships.

The ideal candidate has extensive residential groundworks experience, a track record with major housebuilders, and strong leadership and communication skills. A full UK driving license is required.

Qualifications

• Prev. residential groundworks experience required.
• Proven experience as a Contract Manager at residential groundworks firms.
• Strong understanding of roads, sewers, drainage and foundations.
• Experience with major UK housebuilders.
• Excellent leadership and communications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple residential groundwork contracts from start to finish.
• Lead Site Managers and Project Managers on live sites.
• Ensure delivery is safe, on programme and within budget.
• Maintain relationships with clients, engineers and housebuilders.
• Monitor performance, quality, resources and budgets.
• Attend client meetings and provide updates to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to maximise profitability.
• Promote high health & safety and customer satisfaction standards.

Skills

Residential groundworks

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Job description

Contract Manager - Residential Groundworks

Bedfordshire

Up to £110,000 DOE + Excellent Package

We're currently working in partnership with a leading residential groundworks contractor to recruit an experienced Contract Manager for their growing operations across Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established business with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality infrastructure and groundwork packages for some of the UK's leading housebuilders. The company has a healthy pipeline of secured work and is looking to strengthen its operational team with an experienced industry professional.

The Role

As Contract Manager, you'll take responsibility for overseeing multiple residential groundwork projects, ensuring they're delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the highest standards. You'll work closely with operational, commercial, and client teams, leading Site Managers and Project Managers while maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple residential groundwork contracts from commencement through to completion.
• Lead and support Site Managers and Project Managers across live sites.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and within programme.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, engineers, and major housebuilders.
• Monitor project performance, quality, resources, and budgets.
• Attend client meetings and provide operational updates.
• Work alongside commercial teams to maximise project performance and profitability.
• Drive high standards across health & safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous residential groundworks experience is essential.
• Proven experience working as a Contract Manager within the residential groundworks sector.
• Strong understanding of roads & sewers, drainage, foundations, external works, and infrastructure packages.
• Experience working with major UK housebuilders.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Commercially aware with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Full UK Driving License.

Package

• Up to £110,000 basic salary (depending on experience)
• Company car or car allowance
• Bonus scheme
• Pension
• Private healthcare
• Long-term career progression with a well-established contractor