Contracts Lead

Gatwick Airport Limited; Gatwick; Hybrid; GBP 88,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% Welcome Bonus

Flex Allowance

Performance bonus

Healthcare

Life insurance

Staff parking

Discounted rail travel

Share matching scheme

Job summary

Gatwick Airport Limited is seeking a Contracts Lead – Construction to shape contract strategy for major airport projects. You will drive governance, support procurement, and partner with legal specialists to maximise value and reduce risk in a live operational environment.

The role is office-first with three days in the office and two days remote, aligning with business needs. A degree in Construction Law or related field and NEC knowledge are essential, with experience in major infrastructure

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Construction Law, Commercial Management, or related field.
• Deep knowledge of NEC contracts and construction law.
• Proven experience managing contract claims and disputes.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience supporting major infrastructure or capital programmes.
• Commercially astute with a track record of delivering against targets.
• Professional membership (e.g. RICS) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract expertise across the Construction team with a focus on NEC.
• Own and improve Gatwick's standard contract templates.
• Provide assurance that contracts are clear, robust, and fit for purpose.
• Manage commercial queries, disputes, and escalations.
• Lead dispute resolution processes and meetings for optimal outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Construction Lawyer on governance and compliance.
• Advise on contract approaches to procurement strategy per project.
• Negotiate rates with consultants and contractors for best value.
• Deliver training and share best practices across programme teams.
• Identify opportunities to drive cost and programme efficiencies.
• Foster collaboration across supply chain to reduce disputes and add value.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Contract strategy

Education

Degree in Construction Law or related field

Job description

Contracts Lead – Construction

From £98,000 + 5% Welcome Bonus* + £7,500 Flex Allowance + up to 30% Bonus + Benefits

Great journeys happen at London Gatwick. Where will your career take you?

The buzz, the energy, the sheer magic of travel… You can feel it in the air all around you. Here, you'll be part of an energetic team and a vibrant community. We can help you thrive in a career that's a world away from the everyday.

This role takes an office first hybrid approach here at London Gatwick, with three days a week in the office, two days remote, managed around the needs of the business.

What is the role?

London Gatwick is evolving rapidly, presenting an exciting opportunity for a Contracts Lead to play a pivotal role in shaping how we deliver major construction projects across the airport.

As Contracts Lead, you'll sit at the heart of our Construction function, driving excellence in contract strategy, governance, and dispute resolution. You'll work closely with project teams, procurement, and legal specialists to ensure our contracts deliver value, minimise risk, and support successful project outcomes.

This is a high-impact role where your expertise will directly influence how we deliver complex infrastructure in a live operational environment.

What will you do?

• Lead contract expertise across the Construction team, supporting all contract forms with a focus on NEC


• Own and continuously improve Gatwick's suite of standard contract templates


• Provide assurance that contracts are clear, robust, and fit for purpose


• Manage and resolve commercial queries, disputes, and escalations


• Lead dispute resolution processes and meetings, ensuring optimal outcomes


• Partner with the Construction Lawyer to ensure compliance and governance


• Support procurement strategy by advising on the right contract approach for each project


• Negotiate rates with consultants and contractors to achieve best market value


• Deliver training and share best practice across programme teams


• Identify opportunities to drive cost and programme efficiencies through effective contract use


• Foster collaborative relationships across the supply chain to reduce disputes and enhance long-term value

Do you have what we're looking for?

The live environment at London Gatwick requires all our teams to have a flexible and adaptable approach, with problem solving skills and an innovative outlook. In addition, this role requires:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Construction Law, Commercial Management, or a related field


• Deep knowledge of NEC contracts and construction law


• Proven experience managing contract claims and disputes in complex environments


• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills


• Experience supporting major infrastructure or capital programmes


• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment


• Commercially astute with a track record of delivering against challenging targets


• Professional membership (e.g. RICS) is desirable

What's in it for you?

We value our people and reward every employee fairly with a highly competitive package, enhanced by a discretionary annual bonus, free staff parking, discounted rail travel to work, share matching scheme and more. We offer a rewarding world of flexible benefits you can tailor to the things that matter to you most.

There are also plenty of opportunities for career progression, as well as training to support your personal and professional development.

At London Gatwick, we're also very well connected, just 30 minutes from central London and directly linked to over 100 towns and cities. Whether you prefer to travel by cycle, electric car, or train, we aim to make your journey to work as convenient and cost-effective as possible.

Our employees tell us that working here is something special and no day is like another, where our teams do something every day that other airports only dream of. Along with a competitive salary, our employees enjoy a range of personal, health and financial benefits, including:

• 5% Welcome Bonus*


• Performance-based bonus scheme


• High street shops and restaurant discounts


• Healthcare scheme


• Life and disability insurance


• Professional training to develop


• Free holiday parking


• Discounted travel to work schemes


• Free on-site parking


• Volunteer days

What's it like to work at London Gatwick?

At London Gatwick, our people are our biggest asset. We want our people to thrive and have the best experience while working with us. We know we are all at our best when we feel comfortable and included.

We are an organisation that places diversity, equity and inclusion at its heart. Our aim; to create a place where everyone belongs and has a voice, and we recognise that we all play an important role in our success.

London Gatwick supports an inclusive recruitment process, enabling you to perform at your best. Please make us aware, as part of your application, should you require any reasonable adjustments.

*Please note: The Welcome Bonus is intended to support the attraction of new Construction talent to London Gatwick. As such, it is available to new external hires only and does not apply to individuals returning to employment with the business or internal transfers.