Contract Manager

highr; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

highr in Cork City seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to lead on-site delivery of engineering projects, ensuring quality, safety and financial performance while coordinating contract aspects and aligning with client expectations.

You will oversee preconstruction, procurement, risk management, and close-out, driving improvements and value across the project team and supply chain in a strict HSEQS framework.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in a construction-related field (degree or equivalent), ideally chartered.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent Health & Safety certification.
• Temporary Works Coordinator and Excavation Safety training.
• Knowledge of permitting requirements for live energy works.
• Training/competence in Working at Heights, Scaffolding, and Lifting & Cranage operations.
• Familiarity with Behavioural Safety, Root Cause Analysis, and PSCS/CDM requirements.
• Formal training and/or demonstrated experience in Contracts Management, Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), and Project Execution Planning (PEP).

Responsibilities

• Preconstruction: Lead the preparation of project programmes, method statements, and contract submissions.
• Preconstruction: Develop and manage the contract programme, typically in collaboration with the Estimating team during the tender stage.
• Preconstruction: Instruct the QS on major preliminary expenditure (including plant, accommodation, and temporary works).
• Preconstruction: Chair project start‑up and production meetings and support resource allocation alongside the Regional Director.
• Preconstruction: Oversee the subcontract buying schedule with the QS, notify relevant statutory authorities and stakeholders of site commencement, draft preliminary site logistics and temporary works registers (integrating early Health & Safety considerations), and attend Design Team Progress Meetings providing updates and technical input.
• Construction & Delivery: Lead all project team functions including Project Execution Planning (PEP), risk management, commercial performance, HSEQS compliance, stakeholder engagement, design management, project administration and close‑out.
• Construction & Delivery: Ensure the project team and supply chain have the required competencies to meet HSEQS requirements.
• Construction & Delivery: Coordinate consultant and subcontractor design delivery as required by the contract, including BIM delivery where applicable.
• Construction & Delivery: Implement and maintain the Project Execution Plan (PEP) with specific focus on HSE and Quality compliance.
• Construction & Delivery: Monitor progress against programme, liaising with subcontractors and site management, review buildability and identify improvements, protect Sisk’s contractual position through timely correspondence/notices/documentation, and maintain professional site presentation to positively represent the company.
• Subcontractor & Commercial Management: Lead subcontractor selection, progress meetings, pre‑order meetings and performance monitoring.
• Subcontractor & Commercial Management: Oversee the work of the QS and Site Manager (SM), manage subcontractor performance and site productivity to achieve project milestones, and review/approve expenditure, subcontractor appointments, commercial reporting and financial control measures within agreed authorities.
• Post‑Construction & Close‑Out: Lead defect management through completion and secure the Certificate of Making Good Defects.
• Post‑Construction & Close‑Out: Instruct and support the QS in loss and expense applications and the preparation of final accounts.
• Post‑Construction & Close‑Out: Oversee final commissioning, client handover and aftercare activities.
• Post‑Construction & Close‑Out: Drive continuous improvement and embed lessons learned into future delivery.
• Post‑Construction & Close‑Out: Complete performance and development conversations (PDPs) with direct reports and support delivery of agreed development actions.

Skills

Contract management

PEP planning

HSEQS compliance

Risk management

Team leadership

Quality control

Education

Construction-related degree

Chartered status preferred

IOSH Managing Safely

Tools

Temporary Works

Excavation Safety training

CVR knowledge

Job description

Leading an exciting project to completion in vibrant Cork City, the Contracts Manager will be the on‑site leader with overall responsibility for the successful delivery, quality, safety, and financial performance of engineering projects. The role ensures full coordination of all aspects of the contract and that client expectations are met or exceeded. The role holder upholds the highest standards in line with the company HSEQS policies and procedures, while actively identifying opportunities to enhance project value and profitability.

Responsibilities:

• Preconstruction:
• Lead the preparation of project programmes, method statements, and contract submissions.
• Develop and manage the contract programme, typically in collaboration with the Estimating team during the tender stage.
• Instruct the Quantity Surveyor (QS) on major preliminary expenditure (including plant, accommodation, and temporary works).
• Chair project start‑up and production meetings and support resource allocation alongside the Regional Director.
• Oversee the subcontract buying schedule with the QS, notify relevant statutory authorities and stakeholders of site commencement, draft preliminary site logistics and temporary works registers (integrating early Health & Safety considerations), and attend Design Team Progress Meetings providing updates and technical input.
• Construction & Delivery:
• Lead all project team functions including Project Execution Planning (PEP), risk management, commercial performance, HSEQS compliance, stakeholder engagement, design management, project administration and close‑out.
• Ensure the project team and supply chain have the required competencies to meet HSEQS requirements.
• Coordinate consultant and subcontractor design delivery as required by the contract, including BIM delivery where applicable.
• Implement and maintain the Project Execution Plan (PEP) with specific focus on HSE and Quality compliance.
• Monitor progress against programme, liaising with subcontractors and site management, review buildability and identify improvements, protect Sisk’s contractual position through timely correspondence/notices/documentation, and maintain professional site presentation to positively represent the company.
• Manage information flows, document control and required schedules, deliver accurate CVRs and monthly project reporting, and drive timely achievement of Practical Completion while resolving issues proactively.
• Subcontractor & Commercial Management:
• Lead subcontractor selection, progress meetings, pre‑order meetings and performance monitoring.
• Oversee the work of the QS and Site Manager (SM), manage subcontractor performance and site productivity to achieve project milestones, and review/approve expenditure, subcontractor appointments, commercial reporting and financial control measures within agreed authorities.
• Post‑Construction & Close‑Out:
• Lead defect management through completion and secure the Certificate of Making Good Defects.
• Instruct and support the QS in loss and expense applications and the preparation of final accounts.
• Oversee final commissioning, client handover and aftercare activities.
• Drive continuous improvement and embed lessons learned into future delivery.
• Complete performance and development conversations (PDPs) with direct reports and support delivery of agreed development actions.

Qualifications:

• Professional qualification in a construction‑related field (degree or equivalent), ideally chartered.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent) Health & Safety certification.
• Temporary Works Coordinator and Excavation Safety training.
• Knowledge of permitting requirements for live energy works.
• Training/competence in Working at Heights, Scaffolding, and Lifting & Cranage operations.
• Familiarity with Behavioural Safety, Root Cause Analysis, and PSCS/CDM requirements.
• Formal training and/or demonstrated experience in Contracts Management, Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), and Project Execution Planning (PEP).