Projects / Contracts Manager: Interior Finishes

Level Up - Your Talent Partner; East London; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Level Up - Your Talent Partner is seeking an experienced Projects/Contracts Manager to lead interior fit-out construction projects from tender to handover. The role requires strong interpretation of drawings, take-offs, cost control and coordination of drywall, ceilings and partitioning with subcontractors and suppliers.

The ideal candidate will manage budget, schedule and quality across projects, ensuring timely completion within approved costs and compliance with project standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing interior fit-out, finishing or commercial construction projects.
• Strong practical knowledge of drywall, ceilings and partitioning.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Experience developing and reviewing bills of quantities and scopes of work.
• Ability to assess subcontractor quotations and project pricing.
• Experience managing multiple subcontractors, suppliers and trades.
• Sound understanding of procurement, cost control and project programming.
• Ability to identify commercial risks, cost overruns and potential delays.
• Proven ability to manage projects through to completion and handover.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects from tender, procurement and construction through to completion and handover.
• Analyse drawings, specifications and scopes of work to determine project requirements.
• Prepare and review accurate material and labour take-offs.
• Prepare, develop and review bills of quantities, quotations and project pricing.
• Review subcontractor quotations for accuracy and commercial competitiveness.
• Manage subcontractors, suppliers and site teams.
• Coordinate drywall, ceilings, partitioning and other finishing trades.
• Monitor project costs, programmes, quality and productivity.
• Ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets and timeframes.
• Identify variations, additional works and potential commercial risks.
• Manage contractual obligations and maintain project documentation.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, architects, subcontractors and internal teams.
• Monitor procurement and ensure materials are ordered and delivered according to the project programme.
• Conduct regular site inspections and resolve construction-related problems.
• Ensure workmanship complies with approved specifications and project standards.
• Assist with project planning, forecasting and cost control.
• Identify potential cost overruns and programme delays.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Manage snagging and drive projects through to successful completion and handover.
• Take ownership and accountability for overall project delivery.

Skills

Drywall systems

Ceilings

Partitioning

Shopfitting & interior fit-out

Drawings interpretation

Bills of quantities

Cost control & procurement

Project programming

Subcontractor management

Site coordination

Education

Construction Management / Quantity Surveying / Building / Project Management

Job description

Our client is urgently seeking an experienced and results-driven Projects / Contracts Manager to manage construction projects involving drywall, ceilings, partitioning and associated interior finishes.

The successful candidate will assume full responsibility for projects from tender and procurement through to construction, completion and handover. This is a hands-on construction management position requiring strong technical, operational and commercial experience.

The role is suited to someone who can interpret drawings, complete accurate take-offs, manage subcontractors and suppliers, control project costs and programmes, and ensure that work is completed to the required quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage projects from tender, procurement and construction through to completion and handover.
• Analyse drawings, specifications and scopes of work to determine project requirements.
• Prepare and review accurate material and labour take-offs.
• Prepare, develop and review bills of quantities, quotations and project pricing.
• Review subcontractor quotations for accuracy and commercial competitiveness.
• Manage subcontractors, suppliers and site teams.
• Coordinate drywall, ceilings, partitioning and other finishing trades.
• Monitor project costs, programmes, quality and productivity.
• Ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets and timeframes.
• Identify variations, additional works and potential commercial risks.
• Manage contractual obligations and maintain appropriate project documentation.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, architects, subcontractors and internal teams.
• Monitor procurement and ensure materials are ordered and delivered according to the project programme.
• Conduct regular site inspections and resolve construction-related problems.
• Ensure that workmanship complies with approved specifications and project standards.
• Assist with project planning, forecasting and cost control.
• Identify potential cost overruns and programme delays.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Manage snagging and drive projects through to successful completion and handover.
• Take ownership and accountability for overall project delivery.

Required Experience

Candidates must have substantial practical experience within the construction and interior-finishing environment, including experience with:

• Drywall systems
• Ceilings
• Partitioning
• Bulkheads and feature ceilings
• Shopfitting and interior fit-out projects
• Painting and associated finishing trades
• Flooring and related finishing works
• General commercial building finishes

Experience working on commercial construction, tenant installations, retail developments, warehouses, offices or similar projects will be advantageous.

Minimum Requirements

• Proven experience managing interior fit-out, finishing or commercial construction projects.
• Strong practical knowledge of drywall, ceilings and partitioning.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Ability to complete accurate material and labour take-offs independently.
• Understanding of quantities, dimensions and material requirements.
• Experience developing and reviewing bills of quantities and scopes of work.
• Ability to assess subcontractor quotations and project pricing.
• Sound understanding of construction methodologies and sequencing.
• Experience managing multiple subcontractors, suppliers and trades.
• Strong understanding of procurement, cost control and project programming.
• Ability to identify commercial risks, cost overruns and potential delays.
• Proven ability to manage projects through to completion and handover.

Qualifications

A relevant qualification in one of the following fields will be advantageous:

• Construction Management
• Quantity Surveying
• Building
• Project Management
• A related construction discipline

Candidates with extensive relevant industry experience and a proven record of successful project delivery will also be considered.

Key Competencies

• Commercially astute and cost-conscious.
• Technically competent and practically minded.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• Effective negotiation ability.
• Confident management of subcontractors and site teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Clear communication with clients, consultants and project stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and demanding deadlines.
• Willingness to work hands-on across site and commercial activities.
• Strong ownership and accountability for project outcomes.

Candidate Profile

This is not a purely administrative project-management position.

The successful candidate must have genuine construction experience and be comfortable working with drawings, quantities, take-offs, bills of quantities, subcontractors, procurement, programmes and site operations.

Candidates must be able to assess a site, understand the work required, identify problems, develop practical solutions and ensure that projects are completed correctly, within budget and on time.