Contracts Manager

Accenture UK & Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Soben, a construction consultancy, seeks an experienced Contract Manager to join the Glasgow team. You will deliver pre- and post-contract commercial management, administer NEC3/NEC4 contracts, and lead procurement activities for major capital programmes including biodiversity net gain and compensatory planting initiatives.

You will manage cost control, budgets, and financial reporting while engaging stakeholders and driving commercial value across a diverse project portfolio.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience managing contracts on capital projects or programmes valued between £5m–£100m+.
• Strong understanding of NEC3/NEC4 contracts and their practical application.
• Experience in cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and final account negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Deliver comprehensive pre- and post-contract commercial support across projects and programmes.
• Administer NEC3/NEC4 contracts and manage contract performance, change control, compensation events, payments, and final accounts.
• Lead procurement activities from market engagement through to contract award and close-out.
• Develop procurement strategies that deliver value for money and meet project objectives.
• Support biodiversity net gain and compensatory planting initiatives within client portfolios.
• Maintain project cost forecasts, budgets, and financial reports; provide commercial insights to senior management.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Financial forecasting

Analytical thinking

Budget management

Contract administration

Cost control

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying / Commercial Management

Tools

NEC3/NEC4 contracts

Job description

At Soben, we're redefining construction consultancy through innovation, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As we continue our ambitious growth journey, we are seeking an experienced Contract Manager to join our expanding Glasgow team.

Working with one of our key infrastructure and construction clients, you will play a critical role in delivering commercial and procurement strategies across a diverse portfolio of projects. This position offers an exciting opportunity to lead commercial activities on compensatory planting and biodiversity net gain projects while supporting the successful delivery of major capital programmes.

You will provide both pre- and post-contract commercial management services, ensuring robust cost control, effective contract administration, and successful stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Contract Management

• Deliver comprehensive pre- and post-contract commercial support across a range of projects and programmes.
• Administer contracts in accordance with relevant conditions of contract, primarily NEC3/NEC4.
• Manage contract performance, change control, compensation events, payments, and final account negotiations.
• Ensure contractual and commercial risks are appropriately identified, managed, and mitigated.

Procurement Management

• Lead procurement activities from market engagement through to contract award and close-out.
• Prepare and manage Invitations to Tender (ITT), tender evaluations, supplier negotiations, and contract execution.
• Develop procurement strategies that deliver value for money while meeting project objectives.
• Support supplier and contractor performance management throughout contract delivery.

Biodiversity Net Gain & Compensatory Planting Projects

• Support the delivery of compensatory planting and biodiversity net gain initiatives across the client's portfolio.
• Work closely with Project Managers and key stakeholders to develop commercially viable project solutions.
• Ensure contracts are delivered within approved budgets whilst maximising cost recovery opportunities where applicable.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project cost forecasts, budgets, and financial reports.
• Monitor project expenditure and provide timely commercial insights and recommendations.
• Prepare detailed financial reports and present findings to project and senior management teams.
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives and identify opportunities for commercial improvement.

Land Agreement Negotiations

• Support the negotiation and management of commercial and financial terms associated with land agreements.
• Collaborate with project teams and landowners to achieve commercially favourable outcomes.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Project Managers, Procurement & Commercial Managers, Contracts Managers, and external stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
• Build strong working relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels to achieve project and business objectives.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to departmental KPIs and strategic objectives, including:
• Cost savings and value creation
• Value engineering initiatives
• Commercial governance and compliance
• Health, Safety, and Sustainability performance
• Support the continuous improvement of commercial processes, systems, and ways of working.

About You

We're looking for a commercially astute professional with strong contract management experience and a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes on complex projects.

Essential Requirements

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years' experience managing contracts on capital projects or programmes valued between £5m–£100m+.
• Strong understanding of NEC3/NEC4 contracts and their practical application.
• Experience in:
• Cost planning and estimating
• Budget management and forecasting
• Contract administration
• Procurement and tender management
• Payment and expenditure management
• Final account negotiation
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively under pressure.

Desirable Qualifications

• MRICS or working towards chartered status.
• Experience within utilities, infrastructure, environmental, biodiversity, or capital delivery programmes.
• Knowledge of biodiversity net gain and environmental project delivery.