Contracts Manager

Calibre Search; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A civil engineering contractor in the UK seeks a Contracts Manager to oversee multiple infrastructure projects. The role involves managing site teams, ensuring compliance with health, safety, and quality standards, and maintaining strong client relationships. The ideal candidate has proven experience in civil engineering or infrastructure, strong knowledge of NEC contracts, and excellent leadership and communication skills. This position offers an opportunity to work on diverse projects across the North of England.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Contracts Manager or Senior Project Manager in civil engineering or infrastructure.
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and commercial management principles.
• Background in delivering infrastructure, highways, or public realm projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of multiple civil engineering projects.
• Manage site teams and subcontractors effectively.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Conduct progress meetings and mitigate risks.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Contract management

Client relationship management

Project risk management

Cost control

Health and safety compliance

Education

HNC/Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Job description

Contracts Manager - Groundworks

I'm partnering with a respected, self‑delivering civil engineering and infrastructure contractor that forms part of a well‑established, multi‑disciplinary construction group. With a strong presence across the North of England, the business is recognised for delivering high‑quality infrastructure solutions spanning highways, groundworks, public realm, and utilities. Following continued growth across their Infrastructure division supported by long‑term client relationships and a strong pipeline of work they are now looking to appoint an experienced Contracts Manager to take responsibility for a varied portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects. Typical schemes include:

• Section 278 / Section 38 highway works
• Roads, drainage and associated infrastructure for residential and commercial developments
• Groundworks and enabling packages
• Public realm, streetscape, and hard landscaping improvements
• Utilities installation, ducting, and drainage works across both urban and rural environments
• Infrastructure delivery within multi‑disciplinary frameworks

The Role

As Contracts Manager, you will take full operational ownership of several live civil engineering projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You will work closely with site teams, commercial colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders to drive successful project outcomes. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the delivery of multiple infrastructure and civil engineering projects across the North
• Managing Site Managers, Engineers, Supervisors, and subcontract partners
• Ensuring strict compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality standards
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, consultants, and commercial teams
• Managing programme, cost control, forecasting, resource planning, and NEC‑based contract administration
• Chairing and attending progress meetings while proactively mitigating project risks
• Contributing to tender input, work winning, value engineering and planning
• Supporting business development by identifying future opportunities and nurturing key client accounts

About You

• Proven experience as a Contracts Manager or Senior Project Manager within civil engineering or infrastructure
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and commercial management principles
• Demonstrable background in delivering highways, infrastructure, utilities, or public realm schemes
• Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously while effectively managing site teams
• Excellent leadership, communication, and client‑facing skills
• Comfortable contributing to business development activity and early‑stage project discussions
• Relevant qualifications – HNC/Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management preferred

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.