Senior Contracts Manager - Power

Real; Potters Bar; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Real is recruiting a Senior Contracts Manager to lead multiple electrical infrastructure and power projects from pre-construction through handover. You will ensure safety, quality, and contractual compliance while managing client relationships and driving project profitability.

The role requires extensive NEC/JCT/FIDIC knowledge, strong leadership, and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams across the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a Contracts Manager or Senior Contracts Manager role within infrastructure, utilities, power, energy, civil engineering, or construction sectors.
• Proven track record delivering high-value, complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Extensive knowledge of NEC, JCT, and FIDIC contractual frameworks.
• Strong commercial awareness and contract administration experience.
• Experience managing client relationships and key stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing project delivery teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the delivery of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards.
• Monitor programme performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Review project progress, costs, risks, and resource requirements on a regular basis.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across project teams and delivery processes.
• Support project mobilisation, commissioning, handover, and close-out activities.
• Manage projects in accordance with NEC, JCT, FIDIC and other contracts.
• Provide guidance on contractual obligations, risk management, and dispute avoidance.
• Oversee variations, compensation events, claims, extensions of time, and final account negotiations.
• Support commercial teams to maximise project profitability and minimise contractual risk.
• Ensure robust change control procedures are implemented across all projects.
• Review project financial performance and implement measures to achieve budget targets.
• Promote health, safety, and wellbeing across all projects.
• Lead investigations into significant incidents and ensure lessons learned are implemented.
• Lead and develop Project Managers and wider delivery teams.
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development.
• Identify resource requirements and ensure appropriate staffing.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Support succession planning and talent development.

Skills

Contract management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Risk management

Project delivery

Contract administration

Communication

Decision making

Planning & organisation

Education

APM/PRINCE2 project management qualification

SMSTS / IOSH Managing Safely

Engineering/Construction related degree

Job description

Senior Contracts Manager - Power

Job Title

Senior Contracts Manager

Reporting To

Construction Director

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Contracts Manager is responsible for the successful leadership, management, and delivery of multiple electrical infrastructure and power projects, ensuring that all contractual, commercial, operational, safety, and quality objectives are achieved.

The role provides strategic oversight of project delivery teams, driving performance across all stages of the project lifecycle from pre-construction through to completion and handover. The Senior Contracts Manager will ensure projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and in accordance with contractual obligations while maintaining strong client relationships and supporting business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Operational Management

• Lead and oversee the delivery of multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required quality standards.
• Monitor programme performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Review project progress, costs, risks, and resource requirements on a regular basis.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across project teams and delivery processes.
• Support project mobilisation, commissioning, handover, and close-out activities.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Manage projects in accordance with NEC, JCT, FIDIC, and other relevant forms of contract.
• Provide guidance on contractual obligations, risk management, and dispute avoidance.
• Oversee variations, compensation events, claims, extensions of time, and final account negotiations.
• Support commercial teams to maximise project profitability and minimise contractual risk.
• Ensure robust change control procedures are implemented across all projects.
• Review project financial performance and implement measures to achieve budget targets.

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality

• Promote and maintain a strong health, safety, and wellbeing culture across all projects.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, company policies, and industry regulations.
• Lead investigations into significant incidents where required and ensure lessons learned are implemented.
• Monitor project quality standards and ensure compliance with client specifications and company procedures.
• Champion environmental sustainability and best practice initiatives.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers and wider delivery teams.
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development initiatives.
• Identify resource requirements and work with senior management to ensure projects are appropriately staffed.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Support succession planning and talent development activities.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and key stakeholders.
• Represent the business at client meetings, project reviews, and industry events.
• Act as the primary escalation point for contractual and project delivery matters.
• Support business development activities and maintain high levels of client satisfaction.

Pre-Construction & Business Support

• Support tender and bid submissions by providing operational and delivery expertise.
• Contribute to project planning, methodology reviews, and programme development.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency improvements, and value engineering.
• Assist with strategic business planning and operational improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a Contracts Manager or Senior Contracts Manager role within infrastructure, utilities, power, energy, civil engineering, or construction sectors.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering high-value, complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Extensive knowledge of NEC, JCT, and FIDIC contractual frameworks.
• Strong commercial awareness and contract administration experience.
• Demonstrable experience managing client relationships and key stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing project delivery teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Experience delivering power transmission, distribution, substations, utilities, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects.
• Experience working on projects within highly regulated environments.
• Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional institution.

Qualifications

Essential

• APM, PRINCE2, or equivalent Project Management qualification.
• SMSTS, IOSH Managing Safely, or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.

Desirable

• Degree, HNC, or HND in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (MCIOB, MAPM, MICE, MRICS, or equivalent).

Key Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Strategic thinking
• Commercial acumen
• Contract negotiation
• Stakeholder management
• Risk management
• Planning and organisation
• Decision making
• Communication and influencing skills
• Customer focus
• Continuous improvement mindset

Travel Requirements

This role requires regular travel to project sites and client locations across the UK. Flexibility to travel and, where necessary, stay away from home is essential.

Role Objective

To ensure the safe, compliant, commercially successful, and efficient delivery of projects while maintaining strong client relationships, developing high-performing teams, and contributing to the continued growth and success of the business.

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