Contracts Manager - Construction

Watkin Jones PLC; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Wellbeing program

Discretionary bonus

Pension & health benefits

Discounts

Job summary

Watkin Jones Group is seeking a Contracts Manager to join the Refresh and Delivery Partnerships division in the UK. You will negotiate, draft, review and manage contracts across multiple refurbishment projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence and high standards.

This role requires experience in construction contract management, risk and latent defect exposure, and the ability to lead bids, coordinate with clients and legal teams, and travel nationally to projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in construction contract management.
• Proven ability to manage contractual risk and latent defect exposure.
• Commercially astute with experience in bids, negotiation, and project delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Client & Business Development – Build strong client relationships, secure new projects, and represent the business commercially.
• Bids & Tenders – Lead bid submissions, develop programmes, and support successful tender outcomes.
• Contract Management – Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ensuring robust provisions around latent defects, risk allocation, and liability.
• Project Delivery – Manage multiple refurbishment projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to required standards.
• Risk & Compliance – Monitor contractual performance, manage defects liability periods, and ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Site & Stakeholder Coordination – Act as a key liaison across clients, site teams, and consultants to resolve issues and maintain delivery quality.

Skills

Contract management

Bid management

Client relationships

Risk management

Project delivery

Stakeholder mgmt

Job description

Within our Refresh and Delivery Partnerships division at Watkin Jones, we are looking to appoint a Contracts Manager to join the team. Following the recent securing of six contract wins, with a combined value of approximately £60m across the Refresh and Delivery Partnerships divisions, we are looking to appoint a Contracts Manager to join a progressive and forward thinking team during a time of significant growth.

The Contracts Manager plays a pivotal role in negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and managing business contracts, ensuring that terms and conditions are beneficial for the company. This role involves working closely with clients, project managers, and legal teams to ensure that construction projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards. The Contracts Manager is also responsible for driving business opportunities, managing bids, and overseeing the administration of contracts throughout the project lifecycle.

Due to the nature of this role, there will be the requirement of travel on a national basis.

Key responsibilities:

• Client & Business Development – Build strong client relationships, secure new projects, and represent the business commercially.
• Bids & Tenders – Lead bid submissions, develop programmes, and support successful tender outcomes.
• Contract Management – Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ensuring robust provisions around latent defects, risk allocation, and liability.
• Project Delivery – Manage multiple refurbishment projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to required standards.
• Risk & Compliance – Monitor contractual performance, manage defects liability periods, and ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Site & Stakeholder Coordination – Act as a key liaison across clients, site teams, and consultants to resolve issues and maintain delivery quality.What we’re looking for:
• Strong experience in construction contract management
• Proven ability to manage contractual risk and latent defect exposure
• Commercially astute with experience in bids, negotiation, and project delivery
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

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.

This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact role within a forward-thinking company. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to work on major projects that shape the built environment.

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