Contract Manager

J3A Recruitment; Oxford; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Pension contributions matched up to 8%

26 days annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Employee discounts

Job summary

J3A Recruitment is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead major water infrastructure projects in the Thames Valley, Oxfordshire and Cotswolds. You will oversee delivery, manage large budgets and drive safe, commercially successful outcomes.

With projects ranging £2.5m to £25m and a secured £250m pipeline, this role demands strategic leadership and hands-on delivery in a main contractor environment. A CSCS card and chartered status are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multiple infrastructure or civil projects.
• Experience with water infrastructure projects preferred.
• CSCS card holder and chartered status advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of multiple water infrastructure projects, managing programme, budgets, quality and safety.
• Lead Project Managers and site teams to ensure commercial and contractual objectives.
• Develop relationships with Thames Water, subcontractors and stakeholders.
• Manage budgets, forecasting and risk across projects.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budget forecasting

Client relationships

Health & safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Job description

Location: Thames Valley / Oxfordshire / Cotswolds

Salary: £85,000 – £97,000 + Car Allowance + Excellent Benefits

Hours: Full Time – 40 Hours Per Week

Sector: Water Infrastructure | Civil Engineering | MEICA

The Opportunity

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Contracts Manager to join a major infrastructure delivery programme supporting Thames Water’s AMP8 investment across the Thames Valley, Oxfordshire and Cotswolds.

With approximately £250 million of secured projects allocated, this is a fantastic opportunity to join an established infrastructure contractor with a significant pipeline of work and long-term opportunities.

Projects range from £2.5 million to £25 million, covering civil engineering, mechanical, electrical and ICA works across the water infrastructure sector.

As Contracts Manager, you’ll take responsibility for overseeing multiple projects, leading experienced delivery teams and ensuring works are completed safely, commercially and to the highest standards.

This position would suit an ambitious, commercially astute individual who enjoys taking ownership of major infrastructure programmes and driving successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the successful delivery of multiple water infrastructure projects, managing programme, budgets, quality and safety.


• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers, Site Managers, Engineers and wider operational teams.


• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Thames Water, subcontractors and key stakeholders.


• Take ownership of operational performance, ensuring projects achieve commercial and contractual objectives.


• Oversee project budgets, resource allocation, forecasting and risk management.


• Work closely with commercial teams to monitor financial performance, profitability and project expenditure.


• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, innovation and more efficient project delivery.


• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, environmental standards and internal procedures.


• Support the development of delivery teams, encouraging accountability, collaboration and high performance.

About You

To be successful as a Contracts Manager, you’ll ideally have extensive experience overseeing multiple construction or infrastructure projects within a main contractor environment.

We’re particularly interested in individuals who have delivered projects within the water industry, although those from wider heavy civil engineering and infrastructure backgrounds will also be considered.

Key requirements include

• Proven experience managing multiple infrastructure or civil engineering projects simultaneously.


• Strong operational leadership with experience managing multidisciplinary teams.


• Excellent commercial awareness, including project budgets, forecasting, risk management and profitability.


• Experience working within a main contractor environment.


• Strong understanding of construction delivery, contractual obligations and health and safety.


• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build lasting client relationships.


• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.


• Appropriate CSCS card.


• Professional accreditation or working towards chartered status (ICE, CIOB or equivalent) would be advantageous.

Salary & Benefits

This Contracts Manager opportunity offers a highly competitive package, including:

• Basic salary of £85,000 – £97,000, depending on experience.


• 26 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 3 days.


• Up to 3 additional long-service holiday days.


• Private medical insurance, with optional family cover.


• Life assurance and pension contributions matched up to 8%.


• Enhanced maternity, paternity and parental leave.


• Flexible and agile working arrangements, dependent on operational requirements.


• Employee Assistance Programme and 2 volunteering days annually.


• Employee discounts across retail, travel, fitness and leisure.


• Optional benefits including dental insurance, critical illness cover, travel insurance and cycle-to-work scheme.

Interested?

With a substantial AMP8 programme already secured, this is an opportunity to join a business with genuine long‑term stability, major infrastructure projects and the resources to deliver them.

Whether you’re an established Contracts Manager looking for a fresh challenge or a senior construction professional ready to take the next step, we’d be keen to hear from you.