Contracts Manager

Watkin Jones plc; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Hybrid working arrangements

Discounted gym memberships

Health cash plan

Life insurance

Contributory pension scheme

Job summary

Watkin Jones Group is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead negotiation, delivery, and performance of refurbishment contracts across the UK. You will drive commercial success, safeguard contractual risk, and ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards.

You will manage latent defects, warranties, risk allocation and liability exposure, coordinating with clients, consultants and site teams. Regular UK travel is required and you will play a key role in shaping outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in refurbishment, fit-out, or construction environments.
• Experience managing contractual risk, latent defects exposure, and liabilities.
• Track record in bids, negotiations, and project delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and negotiation abilities.
• Proactive with confidence to challenge, influence, and drive outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Client & Business Development: Build and nurture client relationships, identify opportunities, secure projects, and act as a commercial representative for the business.
• Bids & Tender: Lead bid submissions, develop programmes and commercial proposals, contribute to tender outcomes.
• Contract Management: Draft, review, negotiate, and administer contracts with robust provisions around latent defects, warranties, risk allocation, and liability exposure.
• Project Delivery: Oversee multiple refurbishment projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.
• Risk & Compliance: Proactively identify and mitigate contractual risks, manage defects liability periods, ensure regulatory & company compliance.
• Site & Stakeholder Coordination: Work with clients, site teams, consultants, and subcontractors to resolve issues and drive project success.

Skills

Contract management

Contract risk management

Commercial bids & negotiations

Stakeholder management

Communication & negotiation

Proactive problem solving

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead the negotiation, delivery, and performance of construction contracts across refurbishment projects nationwide. This is a pivotal role where you will drive commercial success, safeguard the business from contractual risk, and ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards.

You will play a key role in protecting the business through robust contract management, ensuring all terms, particularly those relating to latent defects, warranties, defects liability periods, and risk allocation, are clearly defined, effectively managed, and enforced throughout the project lifecycle.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of refurbishment projects, collaborating with clients, consultants, and delivery teams to achieve outstanding outcomes.

Due to the nature of this role, regular travel across the UK will be required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client & Business Development – Build and nurture strong client relationships, identify new opportunities, secure projects, and act as a trusted commercial representative for the business.
• Bids & Tenders – Lead bid submissions, develop programmes and commercial proposals, and contribute to successful tender outcomes.
• Contract Management – Draft, review, negotiate, and administer contracts, ensuring robust provisions around latent defects, warranties, risk allocation, and liability exposure.
• Project Delivery – Oversee multiple refurbishment projects, ensuring successful delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Risk & Compliance – Proactively identify and mitigate contractual risks, manage defects liability periods, and ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Site & Stakeholder Coordination – Work collaboratively with clients, site teams, consultants, and subcontractors to resolve issues, maintain quality, and drive project success.

What we're looking for:

• Strong experience in construction contract management, ideally within refurbishment, fit-out, or construction environments.
• Proven experience managing contractual risk, latent defects exposure, and commercial liabilities.
• Commercially astute with a track record of success in bids, negotiations, and project delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and negotiation abilities.
• A proactive approach with the confidence to challenge, influence, and drive positive outcomes.

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company, where your expertise will directly influence project success and commercial performance. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on significant projects that help shape communities and the built environment across the UK.

Why Choose Watkin Jones Group?

Watkin Jones Group is the UK's leading developer, builder, and manager of residential-for-rent homes, with a rich history dating back to 1791. With 54,000+ homes developed and in-build across over 254 schemes, we have a proven track record of success. Our operating arm, Fresh, manages over 18,500 units across 58 schemes, representing approximately £1.7bn of assets under management.

Joining us means becoming part of a company that’s not only deeply rooted in history but also firmly focused on the future. We're committed to creating high-quality rental homes, fostering vibrant communities, and driving sustainable development.

At Watkin Jones, we believe in investing in our people. Here's what we can offer you:

• Work-Life Balance:25 days of annual leave (increasing with tenure), hybrid working arrangements, and discounted gym memberships.
• Wellbeing:Access to 'Your Wellbeing' programme & OpenUp - a confidential wellbeing platform.
• Rewards:Discretionary annual bonus, health cash plan, life insurance, and more.
• Benefits:Exclusive shopping discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.