Contracts Manager

City, Cardiff
Sphere Solutions

Contracts Manager (Civils)

South Wales

Permanent salary + benefits package

Our client are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to join a growing civil engineering and infrastructure business delivering projects across the utilities, water, highways, and infrastructure sectors. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring works are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

As a Contracts Manager, you will oversee a diverse portfolio of schemes ranging from infrastructure and utility upgrades through to complex civil engineering works. You will be expected to take full operational ownership of projects from pre-construction through to completion, leading delivery teams and maintaining strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator and leader with a proactive management style, capable of driving performance whilst maintaining a positive safety culture and collaborative working environment. You will play a critical role in promoting company values, developing teams, and ensuring projects are delivered in line with commercial and operational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Instil and promote the company culture across all projects, with a strong focus on human factors, behavioural safety, and team engagement
• Lead project teams to ensure the safe, efficient, and successful delivery of multiple civil engineering and infrastructure schemes
• Take full responsibility for operational, commercial, and programme performance across assigned contracts
• Ensure all projects are delivered safely and in accordance with company health, safety, environmental, and quality standards
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, supply chain partners, and key stakeholders
• Ensure client expectations are consistently met and exceeded, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction
• Oversee project planning and programming to ensure works are delivered on time and in line with contractual requirements
• Manage and monitor project budgets, cost control, forecasting, and commercial performance in collaboration with commercial teams
• Lead regular progress meetings and provide clear reporting on project performance, risks, and opportunities
• Identify and manage programme risks, change events, and operational challenges to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency
• Ensure adequate resource allocation across projects including labour, plant, materials, and subcontractors
• Support tendering and pre-construction activities where required, including buildability reviews and programme input
• Mentor and develop Site Managers, Engineers, Supervisors, and wider project teams
• Ensure compliance with NEC3 / NEC4 contractual procedures including compensation events, early warnings, and programme management

Requirements

• Proven experience working as a Contracts Manager within civil engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or water sectors
• Strong background delivering projects involving groundworks, drainage, reinforced concrete, highways, utilities, or infrastructure works
• Excellent leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities with a proactive and solutions-focused approach
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong client relationships
• Commercially aware with strong understanding of project delivery and cost management
• Good understanding of construction planning and programme management
• Strong working knowledge of NEC3 / NEC4 contracts and change management processes

Qualifications & Certifications

• CITB SMSTS
• CSCS Card
• Temporary Works Coordinator
• Appointed Persons
• HNC / Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or equivalent
• Full UK Driving Licence

If you are interested and want further details, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.