Contracts Manager - Passive Fire Protection

Fortus Recruitment Group; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + holidays

5% employer pension contribution

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Fortus Recruitment Group is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager specializing in passive fire protection to own and deliver complex projects.

You will collaborate with site teams, approved subcontractors, and internal compliance to drive contract excellence in a hybrid London/Home Counties setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum NVQ Level 5 or above in Passive Fire Protection.
• ILM Level 3 (or equivalent leadership qualification).
• CSCS Card required for site access.
• SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) required.
• Asbestos Awareness beneficial.
• Full UK Driving Licence required.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of passive fire protection contracts from pre-construction planning through to completion.
• Maintain up-to-date budgets and programmes, manage contract variations and forecast profitability; assist invoicing.
• Champion on-site safety by preparing paperwork, toolbox talks, inspections, and equipment checks.
• Insist on a right-first-time approach; conduct QA checks and sign-off site works.
• Coordinate labour resources through a hybrid structure of direct staff and approved subcontractors, ensuring compliance.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships via regular communication and site visits.
• Lead by example with team meetings, mentoring, and performance management.

Skills

Project Management

HSE & Compliance

Contract Management

Education

NVQ Level 5 in Passive Fire Protection

ILM Level 3

CSCS Card

SMSTS

Asbestos Awareness

Driving Licence

Job description

Location: London & Home Counties (Hybrid working available)

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: Competitive (Dependent on Experience) + Company Benefits

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and driven Contracts Manager specialising in passive fire protection (compartmentation and fire doors) to join a leading compliance and fire safety contractor.

In this role, you will take full ownership of assigned projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You will work closely with site supervisors, direct operatives, approved subcontractors, and internal commercial and compliance teams to drive contract excellence. Hybrid working is available for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Ownership & Delivery: Take full accountability for managing assigned passive fire protection contracts from pre-construction planning through to completion.

• Commercial & Financial Control: Maintain up-to-date budgets and programmes, manage contract variations, mitigate risks, optimize opportunities, and ensure projects achieve target profitability. Deliver accurate monthly forecasts and assist with invoicing and applications.

• HSE & Compliance: Champion "Checksafe" practices by preparing safety paperwork, enforcing on-site health and safety compliance, conducting toolbox talks, site inspections, and equipment checks.

• Quality Assurance (QA): Insist on a "right first time" culture. Carry out QA checks, sign off site works, resolve quality issues rapidly, and maintain thorough documentation in job files.

• Subcontractor & Resource Management: Coordinate labour resources through a hybrid structure of direct staff and approved subcontractors, verifying compliance and competence records.

• Client Relations: Build and maintain strong customer relationships through frequent communication and site visits, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and positive NPS outcomes.

• Team Leadership: Lead by example, conduct regular whole-team and 1-on-1 meetings, mentor staff, recognise high performance, and effectively manage underperformance.

What We Are Looking For.

• Experience: Proven experience as a Contracts Manager within the passive fire protection sector, specifically focusing on compartmentation and/or fire doors.

• Project Management: Strong background in planning, scheduling, and resource management to deliver profitable construction/compliance projects.

Qualifications:

• • NVQ Level 5 or above in Passive Fire Protection

  • ILM Level 3 (or equivalent leadership qualification)

  • CSCS Card

  • SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme)

  • Asbestos Awareness

  • Driving Licence: Full UK Driving Licence.

What s in It for You?

• Competitive basic salary benchmarked against industry standards

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, plus additional paid leave during the Christmas shutdown

• 5% employer pension contribution

• Discretionary annual performance-based pay reviews and bonuses

• Death in service benefit (4x salary)

• Medicash Health Plan membership for you and your family (including virtual GP, physiotherapy, and wellness support)

• Flexible, family-friendly hybrid working environment and modern tech setup