Contracts Manager (Permanent) – Regional Civil Engineering Contractor (North East)

Overview

A long-established, privately owned civil engineering contractor in the North East is seeking a hands-on Contracts Manager to lead multiple schemes from pre-construction through to handover. Typical works include site clearance and remediation/brownfield development, external works and landscaping, river and coastal flood protection, and recreational/sports facility construction. The business prides itself on safe delivery, quality workmanship and early collaboration with clients and the supply chain.

Flavour of Projects & Clients

• Retail & commercial: supermarket new builds and external works (e.g., Aldi programmes in collaboration with principal contractors).
• Water & utilities: delivery within NWL water frameworks (civils, pipelines, shafts, chambers, associated reinstatement).
• Mixed-use regeneration: Project Genesis—c.250 homes with enabling infrastructure, link road, supermarket and a primary school.

Location

North East England (regional travel across live sites). Office/site based, with time split as the programme demands.

Package

Very competitive salary and benefits. Permanent, full-time.

The Opportunity

You’ll take ownership of a portfolio that may comprise 1–2 larger projects or several smaller schemes, ensuring they are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and to the required quality. You’ll lead multi-disciplinary teams, work closely with commercial colleagues, and maintain excellent client relationships—leading from the front on H&S, programme and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Full project lifecycle leadership: pre-construction input, ECI/constructability, mobilisation, delivery and handover
• Build, own and update master programmes; sequence work, manage critical path and float, and drive progress meetings
• Champion Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality standards; ensure RAMS, permits and audits are robust and live
• Contract administration under NEC (NEC3/NEC4 preferred): manage early warnings, compensation events, change and risk registers
• Commercial partnership: collaborate with QS team on procurement, valuations, CVRs, subcontract management and final accounts
• Supply chain management: procure, brief and manage subcontractors; monitor performance and compliance
• Stakeholder management: act as primary client interface; provide clear reporting on progress, risk, cost and programme
• Resource planning: allocate people/plant; mentor and develop site teams (engineers, GFs/SMs)
• Quality control: ensure ITPs, inspections, testing and as-built records are completed and signed off defect-free
• Continuous improvement: capture lessons learned and implement best practice across schemes

About You (Essential)

• Background as a Site Engineer or time-served trades route with clear progression to contracts management
• Minimum HNC (or higher) in Civil Engineering or related discipline
• Appropriate CSCS card; strong commitment to H&S and quality
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts (NEC3/NEC4) and effective change/risk management
• Demonstrable experience running multiple concurrent sites across varied civils work types
• Programme-literate and highly organised; able to form, interrogate and update programmes and short-term look-aheads
• Excellent leadership, communication and client-facing skills; proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• IT-literate: MS Office as standard; planning tools such as CS Project (Valesco) and/or MS Project
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• SMSTS, Temporary Works awareness/coordination exposure (no ticket required) , First Aid at Work
• Flood/coastal defence, remediation/brownfield, and external works/sports facilities experience
• Experience within an SME/regional contractor environment

What you will get

• Very competitive salary and benefits
• Autonomy and influence within a collaborative regional contractor
• A varied portfolio (1–2 larger schemes or several smaller projects) and clear progression opportunities towards Senior Contracts Manager

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Your details will not be shared with anyone until we’ve discussed the opportunity in more detail and you’re happy to proceed.

We will also confirm the name of the company hiring for this role during the same conversation.

To apply, simply click “Apply for this Job” on this listing, or email your CV to David@fulcrumrecruit.com. If you have any questions beforehand, feel free to call me on 07880 369 557.