Contracts Manager (Data Centres)

Metropolitan Services; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)

Private Healthcare

Private Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Pension Scheme

Length of Service Reward Scheme

TradePoint Discount Scheme

Job summary

Group Metropolitan is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead and deliver multiple mechanical projects for Data Centre clients around London and the M25. The role entails end-to-end project ownership from design to handover, with a focus on safe, on-time delivery and strong client relations.

The position is site-based (Canary Wharf area) with travel to client locations as required. You will work closely with Design, Estimating and Commercial teams to resource, manage programmes and

Qualifications

• Proven experience working at Contracts Manager level or ready to progress into a Contracts Manager position.
• Experience delivering mechanical projects within Data Centres, critical environments or similarly complex live environments.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects, smaller works packages and variations concurrently.
• Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, including design coordination, pre-construction, delivery, commissioning and handover.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience managing variations, delays, programme impacts and commercial risks alongside QS teams.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of multiple mechanical projects across Data Centre clients.
• Manage projects throughout the full lifecycle from concept and design through construction, commissioning, handover and close-out.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients as the primary point of contact.
• Coordinate with internal Design, Estimating and Commercial teams and external consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Lead project programmes, ensure milestones are met and delays mitigated.
• Chair project and client meetings and ensure actions are tracked to completion.
• Oversee project documentation and submissions, driving items to close-out.
• Maintain commercial oversight, manage variations and contractual risks with the QS team.

Skills

Client facing

Leadership

Programme management

Commercial awareness

JCT contracts

CDM Regulations

Job description

Job Description

Group Metropolitan is looking for an experienced Contracts Manager to join our Mechanical division, supporting a portfolio of established Data Centre clients across London and the surrounding M25 area.

This role will take responsibility for the successful delivery of multiple mechanical projects, smaller works packages and variations within live Data Centre environments.

You will take ownership of projects throughout the full lifecycle, from early-stage design and pre-construction through to delivery, commissioning and final handover. Working closely with our internal Design, Estimating and Commercial teams, you will ensure projects are appropriately resourced, commercially managed and delivered safely, on programme and to the highest quality standards.

As a senior and highly client-facing member of the team, you will build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, coordinating with designers, consultants, subcontractors, manufacturers, commissioning teams and commercial teams throughout project delivery.

The position will predominantly support our Data Centre customer base with sites primarily located in and around London and the M25. Occasional travel to other client locations may also be required.

We're looking for someone who combines strong mechanical project delivery experience with commercial awareness, excellent client management and the ability to successfully manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently.

Location: Site-based / Canary Wharf

Department: Mechanical

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 07:00–16:00, Monday to Friday (1-hour paid lunch)

Requirements

• Proven experience working at Contracts Manager level or demonstrable experience ready to progress into a Contracts Manager position.
• Experience delivering mechanical projects within Data Centres, critical environments or similarly complex live environments.
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects, smaller works packages and variations concurrently, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, including design coordination, pre-construction, delivery, commissioning and handover.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience managing variations, delays, programme impacts and commercial risks alongside Quantity Surveying/Commercial teams.
• Understanding of JCT contracts and contractual obligations.
• Strong programme management skills, with the ability to manage key milestones, identify potential risks and take appropriate action to maintain project delivery.
• Good knowledge of CDM Regulations, including Principal Contractor and Principal Designer responsibilities.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to chair meetings, manage expectations and drive actions through to completion.
• Experience coordinating subcontractors, suppliers, consultants and internal project teams.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing, delegating to and developing members of the wider project team.
• Commercially minded, organised and proactive, with strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• A strong commitment to Health & Safety, quality and project governance.
• Ability and willingness to work predominantly site-based across London and the M25, with travel to other client locations where required

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of multiple mechanical projects, smaller works packages and variations across our Data Centre client portfolio.
• Manage projects throughout the full lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to construction, commissioning, handover and close‑out.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, acting as a key point of contact and ensuring a consistently high standard of service and project delivery.
• Coordinate effectively with internal Design, Estimating and Commercial teams, alongside external consultants, subcontractors, manufacturers, specialist suppliers and commissioning teams.
• Take ownership of project programmes, ensuring key milestones are achieved, potential delays are identified early and appropriate corrective action is taken.
• Chair project and client meetings, ensuring discussions, actions and deadlines accurately recorded and followed through.
• Oversee project documentation and technical submissions including RFIs, TQs and technical submittals, driving items through to close‑out.
• Maintain commercial oversight of projects, identifying and  managing variations, delays, EOT requirements and contractual risks, working closely with the Commercial/QS team to protect the business.
• Identify and manage design, delivery and commercial risks, escalating and implementing mitigation measures where required.
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced and effectively coordinate subcontractors, suppliers and project teams.
• Lead by example in relation to HSEQ, ensuring compliance with company procedures, ISO standards and legislative requirements.
• Manage, support and develop members of the wider project team, including carrying out PDRs for direct reports and supporting departmental development.
• Identify opportunities to secure additional works, add value, reduce costs and maximise project profitability while maintaining strong client relationships.
• Represent Group Metropolitan professionally at all times and actively promote our values of Safety, Quality, Integrity and People.

Benefits

• Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) – following 12 months of continuous employment, you will be eligible to become a beneficiary of our Employee-Owned Trust scheme.
• Private Healthcare for you and your dependents
• Private Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Pension Scheme
• Length of Service Reward Scheme
• TradePoint Discount Scheme