Contracts Manager
1 day ago
Ilkeston
Profile: Do you love buildings and want to see them, both inside and out? Then look no further. At Structural Investigation Services we delve into British structures. Whether historical structures of note, iconic structures of import or modern HQs for global giants we get to see parts of these buildings that you have only ever wondered about. At Structural Investigation Services we take a view that a positive can-do attitude is the most important characteristic attitude that any candidate can bring to the table. If you have these and are willing to learn then we are the place for you. Hours/Days: 40 hours per week over 5 days. You may be required to work additional hours as per the requirements of the company, including nights and occasional weekends. Lodging away will be required from time to time depending on works location. Location: The location for this role will be primarily on-site or home-based, with occasional travel to the Ilkeston office and nationwide travel as required. You are to report to your line manager situated in the specified office. You will also be required to work nights, some weekends and to work away from home as per the business needs of the company. Main Objectives: • Maintain contract compliance and commercial control on assigned projects, with disciplined governance and accurate contract records from award/mobilisation through delivery, close-out and handover., • Lead pricing and variation management: identify, price, evidence and progress change efficiently and fairly. And support timely applications and invoicing with appropriate back-up., • Provide active on-site assurance that delivery aligns to scope/specification, programme and required standards. And intervene early where scope drift, access constraints or programme risks emerge., • Act as a key client-facing representative, resolving issues early and protecting SIS GROUP relationships and margin through clear communication, structured reviews and proactive issue resolution. Key Accountabilities (please note this is not an exhaustive list of duties but represents the main requirements of the role): Contract ownership and governance • Understand and maintain control of contract scope, deliverables, pricing mechanisms, deadlines and governance processes, ensuring the contract is understood by those involved in day-to-day management., • Establish/maintain a fit-for-purpose contract management approach (mobilisation plan and/or contract management plan, depending on contract size and risk)., • Act as a primary commercial/contractual point of contact, attending site and client meetings to maintain alignment on requirements, progress and emerging issues., • Verify delivery (direct labour and subcontractors) against agreed scope/specification, recording evidence and driving corrective actions where required., • Lead identification, documentation, pricing and agreement of variations/additional works, including quotations, schedules of rates application where relevant and dayworks/extra works substantiation; ensure changes are authorised before execution where practicable., • Coordinate procurement/hire of plant and equipment and manage subcontractor interfaces, working closely with the Project Administrator, so that delivery resources align with contract requirements and site constraints., • Maintain accurate contract/job files (site records, instructions, inspection/sign-off documentation, client communications), supporting transparency and defensible commercial decisions., • Support contract completion: handover packs, final account inputs and “what to improve” feedback loops., • Work with operational leadership to ensure delivery is planned/managed/monitored with appropriate safety controls and that contractual obligations related to H&S and compliance are met on site. Benefits: • Health Private Medical Insurance, • Discretionary Bonus Scheme, • Employee Assistance Programme, • Employee Discount Programme, • Group Personal Accident Cover, • Overtime rates, • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 30 days with service), • Excellent career development opportunities, • Training package Person Specification: Experience: • Recommended 4–8 years’ relevant experience in construction/infrastructure contract delivery or a similar commercial/site management role with strong contract ownership., • Demonstrable experience of pricing, managing variations, overseeing subcontractors, and maintaining client-facing commercial control., • Comfortable working with contract information systems and performance data; confident building trackers, logs and commercial summaries., • Experience with construction asset/equipment systems is desirable; familiarity with Hilti ON!Track is a plus where tools/plant control is part of the operating model., • Ability to work within accredited/standards-led environments, including interfacing with UKAS-accredited testing/lab contexts where applicable., • CSCS card held (or obtainable prior to start, subject to client/site rules)., • SMSTS (or SSSTS with commitment to upgrade within an agreed period). Analytical and Organisational Skills: • Strong analytical skills to evaluate commercial performance, scope change impact and evidence sufficiency (for valuation and dispute avoidance)., • Excellent organisational discipline to maintain complete, current contract records and manage multiple work fronts without losing control of detail., • Strong written and verbal communication skills to engage effectively with clients, suppliers/subcontractors and internal delivery teams; able to keep relationships constructive while maintaining contractual discipline., • Practical negotiation capability (pricing, rates, scope boundaries, subcontractor terms) with an evidence-based approach and clear internal approval discipline., • Able to manage small-to-medium contract work packages independently, balancing site presence, administrative/commercial controls and timely reporting/invoicing readiness., • Proficient in productivity tools (particularly spreadsheets, document control and reporting workflows)., • High accountability and integrity: willing to challenge unclear scope, enforce change control and maintain transparent records., • Site credibility: confident working with delivery teams “at the coalface,” verifying work completion and addressing issues directly and constructively., • Collaborative mindset aligned to SIS Group’s emphasis on engagement, partnership and consistency in infrastructure delivery., • Calm under pressure: able to manage disputes, shifting priorities and operational constraints without losing commercial discipline. Other Requirements Location Flexibility • Willingness to travel regularly to project sites nationwide, with the role designed to be predominantly site-based (supported by office-based commercial administration as required)., • Strong working knowledge of construction-phase health and safety expectations and the ability to support site controls through effective planning, monitoring and coordination., • Contracts consistently delivered to scope/spec with strong client satisfaction and minimal rework/escalation., • Variations identified early and progressed with complete evidence, clear approvals and disciplined written agreement., • Clean commercial governance: complete job files, current trackers, reliable reporting cadence and invoice/valuation readiness without end-of-contract “scramble.”