Contracts Manager

Tilbury Douglas; Reading; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK building and infrastructure company is seeking a Contracts Manager for infrastructure projects in Reading. This role involves managing project delivery teams, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget while maintaining high quality and safety standards. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in a construction-related field and have prior contract management experience. Competitive salary, car allowance, and flexible working options are offered alongside numerous benefits.

Benefits

Car allowance

26 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Life Assurance

Defined contribution pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional membership fees

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar Contract Management role for a main contractor.
• High level of leadership and management skills.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery teams ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Develop and implement project management strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee project budgets, monitoring expenditure and identifying savings.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Client relationships

Project management

Technical knowledge

Education

Degree in a construction-related subject

CIOB or CITB Level 3 Safety Course

Tools

Digital tools like A-Site and IMS

CSCS Card

Job description

Contracts Manager - Infrastructure

The Opportunity

We are growing our team delivering AMP8 for Thames Water, to meet the greatly enlarged programme of works between 2025 and 2030. Tilbury Douglas have already been allocated circa 250 m of projects in the delightful rural setting of the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire and Thames Valley regions.

This is a great opportunity to join the team delivering on Treatment Works within this area. Our projects are a mix of civil, mechanical, electrical and ICA scopes and range between 2.5 m to 25 m in size, several of which will be on sites that we are completing AMP7 projects.

This is also an exciting time to join the Tilbury Douglas Infrastructure Division as we are delivering enlarged AMP8 programmes across the UK for several water companies. We are recruiting across all project disciplines including management, supervision, design, engineering, commercial, project controls and project services.

Role Summary

This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, excellence at client relationships and exceptional problem‑solving skills.

The Contracts Manager leads a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. They provide leadership to the Project Managers, Site Management, Supervision and Engineering, as well as leadership of the technical forums; temporary works, lifting and site engineering.

Thames Water is a complex multi‑faced organisation; the Contracts Manager will need to be experienced in developing and managing the client relationship at different interface points and across varying levels of leadership seniority.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Provide strong operational, safety, health, wellbeing and environmental leadership to the project delivery team
• Develop and implement the company’s project management strategies in alignment with business objectives (Including adoption of new IMS)
• Support framework improvement and divisional business development activities by providing technical expertise, support and ensuring feasibility of proposals
• Provide guidance and training to junior staff

Project Management

• Recruit and develop project delivery teams that are recognised by stakeholders for excellence in delivery
• Oversee the planning, execution, and successful completion of construction projects
• Ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards
• Support technical investigations, technical reviews, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving for complex challenges.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure adherence to UK building regulations, health and safety laws, and company policies.
• Support implementation of quality management systems to uphold industry standards and accreditations.
• Monitor industry developments and regulatory changes, ensuring company practices remain compliant.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop project teams, promoting continuous learning and professional development.
• Foster collaboration across departments, ensuring alignment between client, project delivery teams, supply chain and end users
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors and other stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor.

Financial and Risk Management

• Develop and oversee project budgets, monitor expenditure and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost‑saving measures.
• Support Identification of potential risks and support development of mitigation strategies to ensure project success
• Track project performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement improvements as needed

Innovation and Sustainability

• Drive innovation, ensuring adoption of best practices and emerging technologies in construction and engineering
• Promote sustainable practices and solutions in line with company goals and client requirements
• Encourage the adoption of digital tools such as A‑Site and the IMS, and other advanced technologies to enhance project efficiency

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Experience in a similar Contract Management role for a main contractor
• Degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate construction related subject
• Professional Qualification e.g. CIOB, CITB Level 3 Safety Course
• Appropriate CSCS Card
• High level of leadership and management skills
• Technical experience and knowledge
• High level of commercial and financial ability
• Excellent organisational and communication skills

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary (to be discussed on application)
• Car allowance
• 26 days annual leave (with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday)
• Private medical insurance for yourself (with the option to buy family cover)
• Life Assurance
• Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%
• 2 days volunteering opportunities
• Flexible and Agile working (dependent on your role)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional membership fees
• Flexible Benefits scheme which includes the opportunity to purchase benefits such as:
  • Critical illness insurance (with option to purchase for your partner)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Retail vouchers/payroll giving/activity pass for top leisure attractions

Who we are

Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit‑out company. We deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water and environment.

It is our people who make Tilbury Douglas a success. We believe our inclusive culture encourages new ways of thinking, enabling us to innovate whilst remaining resilient. We value and celebrate all individual differences and look forward to receiving your application.

We are proud to announce that we have retained our Investors in Diversity Silver Award.

Please note that this role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance which includes identity, employment history, and criminal record checks.

Please note we do not have a sponsorship licence.

We look forward to receiving your application!