Construction Contracts Manager

About Us

We are a well-established construction company with an annual turnover of £5 million, specialising in the leisure sector. Our core expertise lies in delivering high-quality design and build projects for leisure centres, gyms and sports grounds, with contract values ranging from £10k to £2 million. With a strong portfolio of repeat clients and a reputation for excellence, we pride ourselves on building lasting relationships and exceeding expectations.

We work on projects that genuinely improve local leisure and community facilities — the kind of work you can point to and say, "I helped deliver that."

At the heart of our business is a simple belief: the best ideas come from our people. We foster an open, collaborative environment where every team member is encouraged to share their thoughts, challenge the norm and contribute to how we work and grow. Staff input isn't just welcomed — it's essential to our continued success and shapes the direction of the company.

The Work

No two weeks look the same here. Our projects span:

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• Leisure centre refurbishments — full and phased schemes, often in live, occupied buildings
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• Swimming pools — tanks, surrounds, plant and wet-side finishes
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• Gyms — new fit-outs and upgrades to existing facilities
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• Soft play — bespoke installations and family-zone conversions
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• Sports hall- Design, refurbishments
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• Padel courts – Design installation
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• Changing villages — cubicles, wet areas, lockers and accessible provision
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• Cafés — front-of-house refits and commercial kitchen works
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• Sports halls — floors, linings, lighting, acoustics and multi-use conversions
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• Office & admin – Office fit out areas
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• Library works- refurbishments
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• Buildings Maintenance – Proactive & reactive
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That variety is deliberate. It keeps the work interesting and it means the technical and commercial challenges genuinely differ from job to job.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Construction Contracts Manager to oversee projects from inception through to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards.

The Contracts Manager will have full operational responsibility for projects from pre-construction handover through to completion, with delegated authority over programme, procurement and commercial decisions within agreed limits.

You will typically be managing a mixed workload of around 2–3 larger projects alongside 3-4 smaller refurbishment schemes at any one time, at different stages and in different locations. Volumes flex with the programme, but that gives a realistic picture of the balance between depth and breadth in the role.

You will be expected to take ownership of your projects, identify potential issues at an early stage and bring practical solutions rather than simply reporting problems.

Key Responsibilities

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• Managing the full contract lifecycle, from tender stage through to final account
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• Liaising with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams
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• Preparing and negotiating contract documentation
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• Monitoring project progress, costs and programme schedules
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• Identifying and mitigating risks to protect company interests
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• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and building standards
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• Attending site meetings and providing regular progress reports
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• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
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• Managing multiple projects and competing priorities across different locations
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• Taking responsibility for project handover, snagging and close-out
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• Producing practical recovery plans where projects are at risk of delay or overspend
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• Mentoring and supporting junior members of the team as the business grows
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Location & Working Arrangement

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• Office based in South East Essex, with projects covering London to the South West
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• A split role between office and site — balancing desk-based contract administration with regular site attendance to monitor progress, attend meetings and maintain client and subcontractor relationships
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• Some overnight stays may be required for projects outside the South East, with reasonable travel and accommodation costs covered by the company
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• Flexibility with working hours. We understand that site work doesn't always fit a 9-to-5. Early starts, occasional evening or weekend works and out-of-hours access in live leisure facilities come with the territory — and in return we are genuinely flexible about how you manage your time. Provided your projects and clients are properly looked after, you have the freedom to organise your diary, work from home when you're not needed on site or in the office, and take time back when a job has demanded more of you than usual. We trust our people to manage their own workload.
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What We're Looking For

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• Proven experience in contracts management within the construction industry
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• Understanding of JCT contracts
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• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
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• Commercial awareness and strong attention to detail
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• A positive, can-do attitude with the ability to work under pressure
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• A proactive mindset — someone who brings fresh ideas and genuinely wants to shape how we do things
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• Someone who takes ownership, follows issues through and is accountable for delivery
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• A practical problem-solver who brings solutions rather than simply reporting problems
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• The ability to manage several priorities without losing control of the detail
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• Strong IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office, Teams and digital project-management systems
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• Comfortable being hands-on and helping improve systems and processes
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• A full UK driving licence is essential
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Desirable:

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• Experience of refurbishment projects within live or occupied environments
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• Experience in the leisure sector
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• Relevant qualifications in construction management or a related discipline
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• Previous experience using Simpro, although training can be provided
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Package

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• Salary: £55,000–£60,000 per annum, dependent on experience
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• Company vehicle — company car, car allowance or commercial vehicle, to suit the successful candidate and the requirements of the role
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• 28 days’ holiday, increasing with length of service
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• Company pension
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• Company laptop
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• Business travel and overnight expenses covered
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• Support for relevant training and professional development
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• Flexibility around working hours, as described above
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Why Join Us?

You'll be joining a supportive team where your voice matters. We offer a collaborative culture, varied and rewarding projects within a thriving sector, and real opportunities to influence the company's future.

You will work closely with the team and have a genuine opportunity to shape our systems, project delivery and future growth. This is not a role where you will disappear into a large corporate structure — your work will be visible, your ideas will be heard, and there will be scope for your responsibilities to develop as the business grows.

If you want to be more than just a number and make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.