Contracts Manager

Walls Construction; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Professional subscription support

Additional company benefits

Job summary

Walls Construction in Cork seeks a Contracts Manager to lead contract administration and commercial management across projects. The role ensures contractual compliance, proactive risk handling, and timely delivery of obligations.

The position involves interpreting contracts, managing claims and variations, and coordinating with clients, project teams and procurement to support successful outcomes. Experience in construction contracts and strong negotiation are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in contract management within construction (main contractor, developer or consultancy).
• Knowledge of standard forms of contract and change control (JCT, NEC or equivalent).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience preparing claims and variations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, able to present positions clearly.
• Organised and methodical with experience maintaining contract registers and audit trails.
• Proficient with Word, Excel and Outlook; experience with DMS is desirable.
• Professional qualification or membership in construction, law or commercial management is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage full contract administration for projects, including mobilisation, governance, and closure.
• Provide commercial and contractual advice on scope, risks, and change control.
• Prepare and maintain contract documentation to preserve entitlements.
• Assess variations and claims; prepare submissions and negotiation strategies.
• Administer subcontract and supply agreements, monitor milestones and payments.
• Develop contract registers, risk logs, and audit-ready records in the DMS.
• Support procurement through tender evaluation and contract award negotiations.
• Lead dispute avoidance and coordinate with legal advisors.
• Provide training to project teams on contract processes and best practices.
• Prepare commercial reports, forecasts and KPI updates for management.

Skills

Contract management

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Communication

Organization

Risk management

Attention to detail

Education

Professional qualification in construction, law or contract administration

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Contract management systems

DMS

Job description

Role Overview

The Contracts Manager will lead the administration and commercial management of contracts across our projects, ensuring contractual compliance, proactive risk management and effective delivery of contractual obligations throughout the project lifecycle. This role will act as the primary point of contact for contract interpretation, claims, variations and procurement strategy, working closely with project teams, clients and the commercial function to protect the company’s position and support successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full contract administration process for assigned projects, including contract mobilisation, governance, and closure in accordance with company procedures and contractual terms.

• Provide commercial and contractual advice to project teams, clients and the supply chain on matters such as scope, obligations, risks, liabilities and change control.

• Prepare, issue and maintain contract documentation such as notices, claims, variation notices, extensions of time and correspondence to preserve contractual entitlements.

• Assess and quantify variations, compensation events and claims; prepare supporting submissions, commercial recommendations and negotiation strategies for senior stakeholders.

• Administer subcontract and supply agreements, ensuring terms are implemented, milestones are monitored and payment provisions are correctly applied.

• Develop and maintain contract registers, risk logs and audit-ready records within the Document Management System (DMS) to ensure transparency and traceability of decisions.

• Support procurement activities by preparing contract documentation, evaluating tender returns, advising on commercial terms and assisting in contract award negotiations.

• Lead dispute avoidance and resolution activities, liaising with legal advisors where necessary and coordinating internal stakeholders to achieve timely and pragmatic outcomes.

• Provide training and guidance to project teams on contract processes, obligations and best practice to improve contractual performance and reduce risk exposure.

• Prepare commercial reports, forecasts and KPI updates for management, highlighting contractual risks, opportunities and recommended mitigation actions.

• Attend project meetings, produce minutes, manage contractual action logs and ensure timely communication of contractual matters to relevant parties.

• Ensure compliance with company procedures for health & safety, quality and data security in all contract activities.

Requirements

• Proven experience in contract management within construction, ideally gained with a main contractor, developer or consultancy.

• Comprehensive knowledge of standard forms of contract, change control procedures and entitlement principles (e.g. JCT, NEC or equivalent).

• Strong commercial acumen with experience preparing and assessing claims, variations and contractual notices.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex contractual positions clearly to clients, project teams and senior management.

• Organised and methodical, with experience maintaining contract registers, DMS records and audit trails.

• Proficient user of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook; experience with contract management systems and DMS is desirable.

• Strong negotiation skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.

• Relevant professional qualification or membership (or equivalent experience) in construction, law, commercial management or contract administration is advantageous.

Rewards & Benefits

• A competitive and attractive rewards package, including pension scheme, professional subscription support and additional company benefits.

• Opportunities for professional development, training and long-term career progression within the company.

Diversity & Inclusion at Walls Construction

At Walls Construction, we believe diversity strengthens our business and inclusion fosters innovation. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and valued.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Travelling community.

Reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process are available on request.