Contract Manager

McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd; Mansfield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High-profile projects

Collaborative team environment

Career development and training

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

McDermotts is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to deliver groundworks and civil engineering projects across the East of England from Nottingham area. You will lead contract and project teams, ensuring safety, quality and commercial performance from award to final account.

Key requirements include 5+ years in contract management, strong NEC/JCT expertise, and a track record of £1m–£15m+ projects. A proactive leader who can manage stakeholders and drive profitability is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Contract Manager role within groundworks, civil engineering, or infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of NEC and JCT contracts.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects valued between £1m and £15m+.
• Excellent commercial awareness and cost control skills.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Full UK Driving Licence.”

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple groundwork and civil engineering contracts simultaneously.
• Review contract documentation and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Oversee project delivery from pre-start through to completion and handover.
• Monitor project programmes and ensure milestones are achieved.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure all projects comply with client specifications, company procedures, and industry standards.
• Work closely with Quantity Surveyors to monitor project costs and profitability.
• Review applications, valuations, variations, and final accounts.
• Ensure opportunities for additional revenue and recovery of costs are identified and captured.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, and cost reports.
• Manage subcontractor performance and contractual obligations.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Contract management

Tools

NEC contracts

JCT contracts

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to join our dynamic team, specialising in groundworks and infrastructure projects. The Contract Manager is responsible for the successful delivery of multiple groundwork and civil engineering projects from contract award through to final account settlement. The role ensures projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards while maintaining strong client relationships and maximizing commercial performance.

Job type: Contract, Full time

Working hours: 07:30 – 17:00 (Monday to Friday)

Site location: Nottingham area to cover the East

Key responsibilities

Contract & Project Management

Manage multiple groundwork and civil engineering contracts simultaneously.

Review contract documentation and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

Oversee project delivery from pre-start through to completion and handover.

Monitor project programmes and ensure milestones are achieved.

Identify and mitigate project risks and implement corrective actions where necessary.

Ensure all projects comply with client specifications, company procedures, and industry standards.

Commercial Management

Work closely with Quantity Surveyors to monitor project costs and profitability.

Review applications, valuations, variations, and final accounts.

Ensure opportunities for additional revenue and recovery of costs are identified and captured.

Monitor budgets, forecasts, and cost reports.

Manage subcontractor performance and contractual obligations.

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance

Promote a strong health and safety culture across all projects.

Ensure compliance with company Health & Safety policies and relevant legislation.

Review RAMS, site-specific safety plans, and construction phase documentation.

Conduct regular site inspections and audits.

Support investigations into accidents, incidents, and near misses.

Client & Stakeholder Management

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants, local authorities, and suppliers.

Attend client meetings and represent the company professionally.

Resolve contractual and operational issues quickly and effectively.

Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.

Resource & Site Management

Coordinate Site Managers, Engineers, and subcontractors.

Ensure labour, plant, materials, and equipment are effectively allocated.

Monitor productivity and implement improvements where required.

Support recruitment and development of site-based personnel.

Quality Assurance

Ensure works are completed in accordance with specifications and quality standards.

Review inspection and test plans.

Oversee project documentation and records management.

Ensure defects are identified and rectified promptly.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Project profitability and margin achievement.

Programme delivery and completion dates.

Health & Safety performance.

Client satisfaction and retention.

Quality and defect management.

Recovery of variations and final account settlements.

Efficient utilisation of labour and plant resources.

Essential requirements

Minimum 5 years' experience in a Contract Manager role within groundworks, civil engineering, or infrastructure.

Strong understanding of NEC and JCT contracts.

Proven experience managing multiple projects valued between £1m and £15m+.

Excellent commercial awareness and cost control skills.

Strong leadership and people management abilities.

Effective negotiation and communication skills.

Full UK Driving Licence.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on high-profile infrastructure projects
• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Career development and training opportunities
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Why Join McDermotts

McDermotts is a nationwide civil engineering and groundworks company based in Birmingham, supporting some of the largest construction companies across the length and breadth of the UK. Established in 1994, we’re a family-founded business that still operates with the customer focus and values we started with. Construction is our passion, and we believe that the industry can provide rich and rewarding experiences.

Our certifications include: CIOB, ISO 45001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, NHSS30, PQS Health and Safety SSIP, Achilles Building Confidence, Safe contractor, Construction Line, SMAS, Mission Zero and Considerate Constructors.

To ensure we continue to meet the needs of our customers and grow as a business, we continually look for new recruits to join our team. When you engage with McDermotts, you are not just joining a team, you become part of our family. Our culture is built around supporting each other and working together to achieve success.

Commitments to equality & diversity

• McDermotts is an equal opportunities employer, and we value diversity.
• All engagement is decided based on a qualifications, merit and business need.
• Applicants from outside the UK must have a suitable visa or the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this job.
• Your shared personal information will be stored and shared by email or a printed copy with HR and hiring managers in relation to any open vacancy for which you wish to be considered.