Contracts Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Company car

Discretionary bonus 12.5%

Job summary

NRL is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee multiple highways and civil-engineering projects across the Bristol, Gloucester region, with the Exeter office as the main base. The role demands strong leadership, client management, and full accountability for delivery across several schemes.

You'll guide Project Managers and site teams, manage budget, health and safety, and programme performance, and participate in tender discussions to support winning work and future opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience at Contracts Manager level or equivalent leadership.
• Background in highways or major civil-engineering delivery.
• Successful track record leading multiple projects or significant packages.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel within the region.
• Familiarity with contractual discussions and tender processes.

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.

Skills

Contract management

Civil engineering delivery

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Tender discussions

NEC contracts

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

NEC contract forms

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.