Construction Contracts Manager

Search Talent; Ireland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Search Talent partners with a leading construction business in Cork to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager. You will own contractual matters across significant projects, acting as a commercial partner to operations and senior teams.

This is more than contract administration; you’ll shape strategy, claims, procurement and project decisions on major projects. You will manage variations, assess risk, negotiate with subcontractors, and produce clear reporting for senior management, while

Qualifications

• Experience in main contractor, developer, consultancy or major project environment.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts and risk management.
• Experience with NEC, JCT or comparable forms of contract.
• Experience working in Ireland.
• Ability to advise Project Managers and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage contracts from mobilisation through delivery to close-out.
• Advise Project Managers and senior management on obligations and risk.
• Manage variations, changes, claims, EOTs and notices.
• Identify contractual risks early and protect entitlements.
• Review and negotiate subcontractor and supplier agreements.
• Support procurement strategy, tender evaluation and awards.
• Assess variations and compensation events and prepare recommendations.
• Maintain contractual records, registers and docs.
• Collaborate with QS, commercial and project teams throughout delivery.
• Support negotiations and dispute avoidance with external advisors.
• Produce concise commercial reporting for senior management.
• Help project teams understand the contract and prevent problems.

Skills

Construction contract knowledge

Commercial judgement

Negotiation skills

Contract risk management

Stakeholder advisory

Ireland experience

NEC/JCT contracts

Education

Quantity Surveying

Construction Management

Commercial Management

Engineering

Law

Job description

Cork | Permanent | Senior Appointment

Search Talent is partnering with a highly successful construction business that is continuing to expand its presence across the Munster region.

We are looking for an experienced Contracts Manager who enjoys the commercial and contractual side of major construction projects someone who can get ahead of risk, protect contractual entitlement and work alongside senior project teams to deliver successful outcomes.

This is not simply a paperwork-heavy contract administration position. You'll have real involvement in commercial strategy, claims, procurement, negotiations and project decision-making, with considerable exposure to senior management.

The Opportunity

You'll take ownership of contractual matters across significant projects, becoming a key commercial partner to the operational teams.

Your role will include:

• Managing contracts from mobilisation through delivery and final close-out.
• Advising Project Managers and senior management on contractual obligations, commercial exposure and risk.
• Managing variations, change, claims, EOTs and contractual notices.
• Identifying contractual risks early and ensuring the business's position and entitlements are protected.
• Reviewing and negotiating subcontractor and supplier agreements.
• Supporting procurement strategy, tender evaluation and contract awards.
• Assessing variations and compensation events and preparing commercial recommendations.
• Maintaining clear contractual records, registers and supporting documentation.
• Working closely with QS, commercial and project teams throughout delivery.
• Supporting negotiations and dispute avoidance and working with external advisors where required.
• Producing concise commercial and contractual reporting for senior management.
• Helping project teams understand the contract rather than simply reacting when problems arise.

Who We're Looking For

You'll ideally come from a main contractor, developer, consultancy or major project environment and have strong experience in contract/commercial management.

We're particularly interested in people with:

• Strong construction contract knowledge.
• Experience working in Ireland
• Experience with NEC, JCT or comparable forms of contract.
• A solid understanding of change control, variations, claims and contractual entitlement.
• Experience preparing and responding to contractual notices.
• Strong commercial judgement and negotiation ability.
• The confidence to advise Project Managers and senior stakeholders.
• The ability to spot contractual risk before it becomes an expensive problem.

A relevant qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management, Engineering or Law would be advantageous, but substantial relevant experience is equally important.

Why Consider It?

This is an opportunity to join a business with a strong pipeline of work in Cork and Munster at a point where an experienced Contracts Manager can have genuine influence.

You'll get:

• Excellent salary & benefits package
• Pension contribution
• Professional membership/subscription support
• High-level involvement in major projects
• Direct exposure to senior decision-makers
• Genuine long-term progression

Most importantly, this role offers considerably more than simply administering contracts. The successful person will become a trusted commercial voice within the project team, helping shape decisions, manage risk and protect project performance.