Senior Contracts Manager

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to take a leading role in the delivery of large-scale Solar and Battery Energy Storage (BESS) construction projects across the UK.

This senior position holds overall responsibility for the coordination, management, and successful delivery of multiple high-value construction projects. The role is pivotal in ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, on time, within budget, and to exacting quality standards. Acting as a key interface between project teams and construction partners, the successful candidate will provide leadership, mentoring, and expert contractual guidance throughout the project lifecycle.

This role requires weekly travel to various sites, and when not travelling, the ability to work from the office would be beneficial.

The Role

The Senior Contracts Manager will oversee projects from pre-construction through to completion, playing a hands-on role in both commercial and operational decision-making. Working closely with internal leadership teams and external partners, they will drive performance, manage risk, and ensure contractual compliance across all sites.

Key Responsibilities

* Support pre-construction activities, including design development, planning, and contractor selection

* Manage multiple construction projects concurrently, ensuring adherence to programme, budget, and quality standards

* Identify, assess, and mitigate contractual and commercial risks through robust risk management processes

* Maintain full financial control, including cost management, payment applications, variations, and change control

* Act as the primary point of contact for engineers, site teams, subcontractors, and delivery partners

* Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers and site teams, supporting recruitment and performance management

* Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and health & safety requirements

* Produce and present clear contractual, commercial, and progress reports to senior stakeholders

* Support dispute avoidance and resolution strategies, working with legal advisors when required

Key Relationships

Internal:

* Senior construction and development leadership

* Pre-construction, technical, grid, and development teams

External:

* EPC and ICP delivery partners and project managers

* Regulatory and statutory bodies

Skills & Experience

Experience

Required:

* A minimum of 6 years’ experience in a Contracts Manager role within the construction industry

* Proven experience managing complex, high-value projects exceeding £30m

* Strong working knowledge of standard forms of contract, including JCT, NEC, and/or FIDIC

Skills & Attributes:

* Strong leadership and people management capability

* Excellent understanding of CDM Regulations

* Sound technical knowledge of civil and mechanical engineering, including geotechnical aspects

* High level of commercial awareness with strong analytical skills

* Exceptional negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills

* Willingness to travel regularly to construction sites across the UK

Qualifications

* Degree or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline

* Valid CSCS card (essential)

* SMSTS qualification (preferred)

* Professional memberships such as MCIOB, RICS, are advantageous

Benefits

* Competitive salary + 25 days holiday + bank holidays + Bonus + Car allowance