Contracts Manager

NRL; Bath; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

NRL seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee multiple highways and civil-engineering projects across the Bristol and Gloucestershire region. You will lead Project Managers and site teams, owning budget, HSE and programme performance, while cultivating strong public-sector client relationships.

The role involves travel within the region, with the main office in Exeter and a strong delivery focus over the next four years, including bid input and work-winning activities.

Qualifications

• Must-have: proven experience at Contracts Manager level or equivalent senior leadership in highways/major civil-engineering delivery.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple highways and civil-engineering projects, guiding Project Managers and site teams.
• Take full accountability for budget, health and safety, and programme performance.
• Maintain strong client relationships with public-sector stakeholders and lead tender discussions.

Skills

Budget management

Health & safety leadership

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Tender processes

Contract discussions

Multi-disciplinary teams

Driving licence

Travel flexibility

Local-authority highways frameworks

NEC contract forms

Career path through engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Construction Management degree

Job description

Job Title

Contracts Manager

Summary

We’re seeking an experienced Contracts Manager, on behalf of our client, to oversee multiple highways and civil-engineering projects across the Bristol and Gloucester region. This role is ideal for someone with strong leadership and client-management skills, who thrives on full project accountability and enjoys influencing future work opportunities. You’ll join a well-established delivery structure and play a key role in shaping how major schemes are delivered and developed over the next four years.

Salary

£61,000 – £63,000 (up to £70,000 for an exceptional candidate)

Plus £5,250 car allowance or company car

12.5% discretionary annual bonus

Location and Working Pattern

• Travel across Bristol and Gloucester to oversee projects.
• Main office is in Exeter.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple highways and civil-engineering projects at any one time.
• Lead and support Project Managers, Site Managers and the wider delivery teams.
• Take overall accountability for budget, health and safety, and programme performance.
• Manage and maintain strong client relationships with public-sector stakeholders.
• Participate in contract discussions as part of delivery governance.
• Provide delivery input during tender stages and support work-winning activity.
• Identify and mobilise new teams as additional projects are secured.
• Drive quality, compliance and continuous improvement across all projects.

Must-have Requirements

• Proven experience at Contracts Manager level or equivalent senior project leadership.
• Background in highways or major civil-engineering delivery.
• Successful track record leading multiple projects or significant packages.
• Strong leadership with experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Full accountability for budget, health and safety and client relationships.
• Familiarity with contractual discussions and tender processes.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel within the region.

Nice-to-have Skills

• Experience with local-authority highways frameworks.
• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related field.
• Knowledge of NEC contract forms.
• Career path through an engineering background.