Role overview
We are seeking a highly organised and experienced Contracts Manager to lead the successful delivery of projects for a main contractor across Suffolk and Essex. You will manage contracts and drive performance across programming, commercial outcomes, health & safety, and quality—working closely with site teams, clients, and the wider project organisation to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and to budget.

Key responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end contract delivery for multiple projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements.
• Own programme and delivery planning: develop/maintain target programmes, critical path awareness, and reporting.
• Lead contractual and commercial performance, including: forecasting, change management, valuation support, and achieving margins.
• Oversee health, safety, and compliance for projects, ensuring safe systems of work and adherence to required standards (SMSTS / IOSH / internal processes).
• Drive buildability and quality by supporting method statements, temporary works requirements, and workmanship expectations.
• Manage and coordinate internal teams and stakeholders, including site management, QS input, design teams, and supply chain partners.
• Support procurement and subcontract letting processes, monitoring subcontractor performance and compliance.
• Ensure timely and accurate client liaison and communication, including progress reporting and resolution of issues.
• Identify risks early and implement mitigation plans; maintain clear audit trails and documentation.
• Support continuous improvement, lessons learned, and active participation in CPD / industry events.

Skills & experience required

• Proven experience as a Contracts Manager (or strong Senior/Contracts background) within a main contractor environment.
• Strong understanding of contract administration, contractual awareness, and project commercial control.
• Demonstrable experience delivering a variety of project types (e.g., commercial, education, industrial, residential, design & build).
• Excellent stakeholder management and people leadership skills.
• Strong IT capability (e.g., Asta PowerProject or equivalent) and the ability to manage robust project controls.
• Relevant qualifications: SMSTS, IOSH Managing Safely, and/or Construction Contracts Management (NVQ Level 5) (preferred).

Location / travel

• Based in Suffolk/Essex, with travel to live sites as required.