Senior Contracts Manager - Power Infrastructure

Hernshead Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hernshead Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to lead the safe, high-value delivery of major power infrastructure projects in London. You will manage multi-project contracts, mentor project teams and ensure performance against programme, budget and safety standards.

Reporting to the Construction Director, you will oversee subcontractors, administer NEC/JCT/FIDIC contracts, and collaborate with design, pre-construction and commercial colleagues to optimise delivery across 11kV

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior contracts or commercial management role within utilities infrastructure or regulated network environments.
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to protect margin and manage contractual risk.
• In-depth understanding of NEC, JCT and FIDIC contracts.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of construction activities across multiple projects from design to handover.
• Lead, manage and mentor a team of Project Managers with objective setting and development paths.
• Oversee subcontractor and supply chain performance ensuring quality, schedule and safety.
• Review subcontract packages and consultant agreements.
• Maintain commercial governance, reporting and contract controls to protect margin and cash flow.
• Administer NEC/JCT/FIDIC contracts including notices and change control.
• Ensure SHEQ adherence, safety rules and CDM compliance by teams and partners.
• Define construction strategy for 11kV to 400kV projects through commissioning.
• Collaborate with pre-construction, design and commercial teams for integrated delivery.
• Promote knowledge sharing and lessons learned across Operations.
• Conduct pre-contract reviews and risk analysis; flag risks to Legal.
• Contribute to bids and tenders with sound construction methodologies.

Skills

Senior contracts management

Commercial acumen

Contract risk management

Leadership

Driving licence

Education

APM or Prince2 qualification

IOSH Managing Safely / SMSTS

Tools

NEC contracts

JCT contracts

FIDIC contracts

Job description

About the Role

• Join a Power Operations team delivering high-value electrical infrastructure projects for some of the most demanding clients in the sector - from hyperscale data centre operators to major industrial and grid clients.
• We are building a team of exceptional project management professionals who can drive complex programmes from award through to energisation, and we want people who take real ownership of their projects.
• This is an opportunity to influence projects that matter, lead high-performing teams and shape how essential infrastructure is delivered for generations to come.

Scope of Role

• We're looking for an experienced and inspiring Senior Contracts Manager to lead the safe and successful delivery of major projects across a portfolio of power projects.
• As Senior Contracts Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of major construction projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
• You'll play a key role in connecting with colleagues, supply partners and clients, providing assurance, insight and leadership throughout project delivery from a construction and buildability perspective.
• Reporting to the Construction Director, you'll lead teams of construction professionals and work closely with supply chain partners to create a collaborative, high-performing delivery environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of construction activities across multiple new connections or infrastructure projects, from design development through to construction and final handover.
• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of Project Managers, including setting objectives, managing performance, and the creation of structured development pathways.
• Oversee subcontractor and supply chain performance, ensuring delivery quality, adherence to programme, commercial compliance and a safety-first approach.
• Review subcontract packages, supply chain appointments and consultant agreements.
• Maintain commercial governance, reporting and contract controls across a portfolio of projects; protect gross margin, cash flow and entitlement through effective management of contract terms, change control and payment mechanisms.
• Lead the administration of construction contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC) across a portfolio of multi-million-pound projects, ensuring all contractual notices, early warning, compensation events, and change control processes are handled in accordance with contract timelines.
• Ensure in-house engineering teams and supply partners adhere to SHEQ procedures, the Distribution Safety Rules and CDM regulations.
• Define construction strategy for 11kV to 400kV projects, from design through to final commissioning, ensuring alignment with engineering policies and procedures.
• Interface with pre-construction, design, and commercial teams to ensure an integrated delivery.
• Promote the sharing of knowledge, lessons learned and best practice across the Operations team.
• Carry out thorough pre-contract review and risk analysis on new tenders and framework appointments, flagging key commercial, programme and legal risks to the Legal team.
• Provide input into bids and tenders, ensuring construction methodologies and programmes support a competitive and commercially sound tender submission.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in a senior contracts or commercial management role within utilities infrastructure, or regulated network operator environments.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience protecting margin and managing contractual risk across framework and project delivery models.
• In-depth understanding, and demonstrable practical experience, of managing construction contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC).
• Flexible and pragmatic approach, able to work independently while also being a team player.
• A recognised professional project management qualification (APM, Prince2).
• IOSH Managing Safely, SMSTS or similar qualification.
• Full UK driving licence, and willingness to travel to site in the UK, as required.

Desirable

• A degree-level qualification in Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership