Senior Contracts Manager - Defence

Mace; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Hybrid working

Medical health cover

Life insurance

Income protection insurance

Pension scheme

Discretionary annual salary reviews

Family friendly policies

22 days annual leave + 2 Mace days + 3

Job summary

Mace is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to join our Defence team in Preston, delivering a high-profile, regulated national Defence programme. The role requires eligibility for UK security clearance (SC) and will operate within an Integrated Client Team to ensure safe, controlled delivery of complex projects.

You will manage NEC contracts, guide procurement and mobilisation activities, and drive governance, risk management and commercial controls across the programme.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in QS, commercial or related field.
• Significant experience in contract administration and contract management.
• Strong NEC contracts knowledge and change control principles.
• Experience supporting procurement, contract award and mobilisation.
• Strong governance, risk management and change control understanding.
• Excellent stakeholder management in integrated project environments.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Responsibilities

• Set up, administer and manage contracts across the project lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, governance and client processes.
• Manage NEC contracts including change control and compensation events.
• Provide contractual advice to project teams, stakeholders and suppliers.
• Support procurement, contract award and mobilisation activities.
• Monitor contract performance and mitigate contractual risks.
• Review and administer contract changes with proper governance and controls.
• Assist resolution of disputes and claims per contract provisions.
• Build relationships with clients, contractors, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement and best practices across the programme.

Skills

Contract administration

Contract management

NEC contracts

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related

Job description

We are looking to appoint a Senior Contracts Manager to join our Defence team in Preston, supporting the delivery of a high profile and highly regulated Defence programme of national importance. This role requires highly trusted professionals who can operate with discretion, integrity and accountability within a secure environment. Due to commence in late autumn to early winter, the position sits within an Integrated Client Team and offers responsibility for the safe and controlled delivery of complex construction and infrastructure projects within a long-term Defence programme.

This candidate should have eligibility to obtain and maintain UK security clearance (SC).

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Managing the setup, administration and management of contracts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, governance requirements and client processes.
• Managing NEC contracts, including change control, compensation events, contractual correspondence and record keeping.
• Providing contractual advice and guidance to project teams, stakeholders and suppliers.
• Supporting procurement, contract award and mobilisation activities.
• Managing contract performance, identifying contractual risks and implementing mitigation measures.
• Reviewing and administering contract changes, ensuring appropriate governance and commercial controls are maintained.
• Supporting the resolution of contractual issues, disputes and claims in accordance with contract provisions.
• Building effective relationships with clients, contractors, suppliers and key project stakeholders.
• Driving continuous improvement and the implementation of commercial and contractual best practices across the programme.

You’ll Need To Have

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Law, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in contract administration and contract management within major construction, infrastructure, Defence or regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of NEC contracts and contract management principles.
• Experience supporting procurement, contract award and mobilisation activities.
• Strong understanding of commercial governance, contract compliance, risk management and change control processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience working in integrated project environments.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC).

What’s On Offer

• Car allowance.
• Hybrid working.
• Medical health cover.
• Life insurance.
• Income protection insurance.
• Pension scheme.
• Discretionary annual salary reviews.
• Family friendly policies.
• 22 days annual leave + 2 Mace days + 3 days Christmas shutdown + 1 additional day leave for every 2 years of service + Bank holidays.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.