Contracts Manager

Fawkes & Reece London

We are working with a well established specialist contractor delivering high-volume restaurant refurbishment and fit-out projects across the UK. They are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to join its growing team.

The business delivers approximately 12 – 20 restaurant refurbishment projects annually, alongside smaller reactive and repair works. The role would suit someone who thrives in a fast paced environment, can manage multiple moving parts, and enjoys building strong working relationships with clients, designers, suppliers, and site teams.

Every project is different, with multiple external designers involved across the programme, making adaptability, organisation, and problem solving essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend project presentations and meetings with client project managers and design teams to scope and understand refurbishment requirements.
• Plan and schedule annual works programmes, managing shifting timelines and changing project dates.
• Price projects from drawings and specifications, including value engineering exercises to achieve budget requirements.
• Liaise with suppliers from various countries regarding materials, lead times, and costs.
• Procure and manage subcontractors, including negotiations, costs, and scheduling.
• Produce detailed construction programmes, RAMS, and Health & Safety documentation.
• Ensure projects achieve high Health & Safety standards and perform well under independent auditing.
• Resource and coordinate labour requirements while helping build and strengthen site delivery teams.
• Manage projects from pre-construction through to completion, maintaining programme, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Work collaboratively with designers and stakeholders to provide solutions and maintain project momentum.
• Produce final accounts, manage variations, approve subcontractor accounts, and control material costs.
• Build and maintain strong long-term client relationships through consistent project delivery.
• Resolve operational and site issues efficiently while working under pressure.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience as a Contracts Manager within refurbishment, fit-out, or commercial interiors.
• Experience within restaurant, hospitality, or fast-track refurbishment projects would be highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing project costs and final accounts.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and scheduling skills.
• Confident dealing with clients, designers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety and construction compliance.
• Calm, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.
• Full UK driving licence.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Contracts Manager looking to join a busy and growing contractor with a strong reputation in the restaurant fit-out sector.