Head of Contracts

RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited in Glasgow seeks Head of Contracts to manage commercial and contractual elements of civil engineering projects, ensuring strong commercial footing and compliance across power, highways, utilities and infrastructure works.

You will lead contract negotiations, review tenders, manage risk, and support procurement, working with senior leaders and project teams to align commercial strategy with the company’s objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of major construction contract forms, including NEC, FIDIC, and SBBC, as well as associated subcontract formats.
• Extensive experience in civil engineering contracting, with a strong track record in senior commercial or contract management roles.
• Proven experience in contract negotiation, tender review, procurement strategy, and commercial risk management.
• Excellent analytical, financial, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Review tender-stage contracts and provide mark-ups for internal use.
• Lead contract negotiations with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and third parties.
• Identify commercial, contractual, and legal risks in tenders and live contracts and advise on mitigation.
• Support tender and construction procurement processes, ensuring timely delivery of materials, services and subcontract works.
• Collaborate with Estimators, Bid Managers, Design Management Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors to ensure commercial alignment.
• Stay informed on industry trends, market conditions, and regulatory changes affecting the sector, adapting strategies accordingly.
• Prepare and agree LOIs for minor or enabling works packages.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related

Job description

Job Summary

The Head of Contracts will play a key role in managing the commercial and contractual elements of our civil engineering projects, ensuring they are set up and delivered on a strong commercial footing. This role is central to reviewing and negotiating contracts, managing commercial risk, and supporting procurement across a wide range of infrastructure works. Working closely with senior leaders and project teams, the Head of Contracts will help ensure our power and energy schemes, substation works, highways, structures, utilities, and other civil engineering projects are commercially robust, compliant, and aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Review tender‑stage contracts, providing both high‑level and detailed mark‑ups for internal consideration and onward submission.
• Lead contract negotiations with clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and third parties to secure favourable terms and conditions.
• Identify commercial, contractual, and legal risks associated with tenders and live contracts, advising on mitigation strategies.
• Support tender and construction procurement processes, including supplier selection, contract administration, and performance evaluation, ensuring timely delivery of materials, services, and subcontract works.
• Collaborate closely with Estimators, Estimating Managers/Bid Managers, Design Management Engineers, and Quantity Surveyors to ensure commercial alignment across all project stages.
• Stay informed on industry trends, market conditions, and regulatory changes affecting the construction and civil engineering sectors, adapting strategies and practices accordingly.
• Prepare and agree Letters of Intent (LOI) for minor or enabling works packages.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of major construction contract forms, including NEC, FIDIC, and SBBC, as well as associated subcontract formats.
• Extensive experience in civil engineering contracting, with a strong track record in senior commercial or contract management roles.
• Proven experience in contract negotiation, tender review, procurement strategy, and commercial risk management.
• Excellent analytical, financial, and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Desirable

• Chartered status or professional accreditation (e.g., MRICS, MCICES, or equivalent).
• Experience working on major infrastructure projects (e.g., highways, rail, utilities, structures).
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing multidisciplinary commercial teams.

Key Competencies

• Commercial and contractual expertise
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and team collaboration
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment