Overview
Contract Manager – Building Services & Maintenance (High-End Residential)
Location: Flexible – Western Home Counties, London
Salary: £70,000 – £80,000 (Negotiable, DOE)
Benefits: Company Car, Pension Scheme, Private Medical Cover, and more/more!
About the Company
Our client is a highly regarded, privately owned specialist SME Facilities & Engineering provider, known for delivering exceptional building services to a discerning clientele across high-profile residential and commercial properties. With a prestigious portfolio that includes some of the UK’s most exclusive private estates and residences, the company combines technical excellence with a personal, client-first approach.
They foster a collaborative and high-performance culture where technical expertise, service delivery, and professionalism are paramount. As part of ongoing growth and succession planning, they are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Contract Manager to take the lead on a diverse maintenance and projects portfolio.
Role Overview
As Contract Manager, you will oversee the delivery of hard and soft services across a portfolio of high-end residential properties, managing a £1M+ annual maintenance budget and an additional £500K+ in project works. You will be responsible for both strategic planning and hands-on operational management, working closely with clients, subcontractors, engineers, and internal stakeholders to deliver best-in-class service.
This role also forms part of a succession pathway to senior leadership, with the potential to step into wider operational responsibilities in the future.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintenance & Project Oversight
- Lead the delivery of hard services, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fabric maintenance, build and refurbishment across a high-value residential portfolio.
- Schedule and manage engineer workloads to optimise the delivery of PPM and reactive maintenance.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with agreed quality standards.
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the main point of contact for clients, ensuring clear, responsive communication and high levels of satisfaction.
- Conduct regular client meetings to review performance, resolve issues, and identify opportunities for enhancement.
- Subcontractor & Supplier Coordination
- Manage the procurement, onboarding, and performance of subcontractors, ensuring compliance with SLAs and quality standards.
- Negotiate and monitor contracts, ensuring consistent value and service delivery.
- Quotations & Financial Control
- Prepare and present accurate, detailed quotations for additional works and small projects.
- Ensure all pricing is competitive, transparent, and aligned with business objectives.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Provide day-to-day leadership and support to engineering teams, acting as a hands-on leader during technical challenges.
- Manage recruitment, training, performance reviews, and ongoing team development to maintain a skilled, motivated workforce.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety legislation, conducting regular audits and risk assessments.
- Promote a safe working environment across all sites and teams.
- Business Growth & Service Expansion
- Identify and pursue opportunities for service development, account expansion, or process optimisation.
- Work with senior leadership to align contract delivery with strategic business goals.
Candidate Profile – Skills & Experience
Essential
- Strong background in facilities engineering, property maintenance, and building services (including HVAC, M&E systems, fabric maintenance).
- Experience managing high-end luxury residential and commercial properties, preferably for high-net-worth or VIP clientele.
- Proven track record of contract, budget, and team management in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
- Exceptional client-facing and communication skills, with the ability to engage at all levels.
- Knowledge of health & safety regulations and practical experience enforcing compliance on site.
- Technically qualified (e.g., electrical/mechanical/facilities management background).
- Comfortable managing both planned maintenance and reactive works, as well as small projects.
Desirable
- A proactive, “can-do” attitude and hands-on leadership style.
- Demonstrated experience managing mixed-use or diverse property portfolios across commercial and residential sectors.
- Commercial acumen and the ability to prepare accurate, client-friendly quotes.
- Experience dealing with confidential or security-sensitive properties or clients.
Why This Role?
- Join a prestige-focused company with a carefully selected portfolio of iconic and exclusive properties.
- Work with a leadership team that values technical integrity, client care, and career development.
- Enjoy flexible working, autonomy in your role, and succession potential to senior operations leadership.
- Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits including company car, pension, private medical, and more.
Mark Evans