Senior Contracts (Project) Manager

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 25 March 2026
LOCATION
Newry
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Construction
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Contract Management Project Delivery Commercial Management Team Leadership Communication Negotiation Financial Analysis Project Planning

FULL DESCRIPTION

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] is seeking a Senior Contracts (Project) Manager to lead high-value contracts and projects, ensuring on-time, within-budget delivery to exceptional standards. Responsibilities include contract management, project delivery, commercial management, stakeholder relations, and team leadership. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience in the fit-out and construction industry.

Key Responsibilities

  • Overall responsibility ensuring contracts/ projects are delivered on time, within budget and of excellent quality.
  • Maintain full knowledge of relevant contractual terms to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and ensure compliance across contract management teams.
  • Record and manage contractual variances, secure agreement on scope and price with relevant stakeholders.
  • Ensure all aspects of the contract / project meet with customer requirements and satisfaction to ensure prompt payment.

Project Delivery & Programme Control

  • Prepare and own project/contract budgets; provide progress reports to senior management and Executive Team.
  • Accountability for commercial success of contracts; support managers in setting budgets and delivery of projects.
  • Develop and maintain realistic project delivery programmes with internal teams; chair weekly reviews.
  • Identify long‑lead items; produce procurement schedules and material take‑offs to protect the critical path.
  • Ensure wash up meetings and end of project reviews for delivered projects are carried out effectively.

Commercial & Subcontractor Management

  • Identify, appoint and manage subcontractors; negotiate favourable terms and monitor performance.
  • Optimise resources and manpower; manage variances to meet delivery requirements.
  • Take proactive action to address commercial risks, complaints and outstanding issues.

Stakeholder & Client Management

  • Build strong relationships with customers; ensure clear, timely communication and customer satisfaction.
  • Liaise with internal departments to ensure coordinated, efficient delivery and optimum resource use.

Leadership & Team Development

  • Provide leadership, direction and mentorship to Contract Managers, Assistant Contract Managers and project delivery teams.
  • Support with the design and implementation of career progression and succession strategy.
  • Undertake reviews and appraisals of Contract Management Team members.
  • Support recruitment of team members as required by the Contracts Directors.
  • Ensure team members understand contract/ project requirements and terms which impact their duties.
  • Uphold company KPIs and drive performance against targets.

Site Installation & Health and Safety Leadership

  • Take overall responsibility for health and safety requirements across each contract.
  • Ensure robust H&S practices within project-specific site installation activities.
  • Work with the Health & Safety Manager to drive continuous improvement.

Compliance Management

  • Ensure all operations are fully compliant, with processes and procedures being met ethically and legally and in accordance with Company Policy and Procedures.
  • Provide advice, guidance and direction as required to other Companies with a common shareholder.
  • Comply with Company and Statutory Health and Safety requirements.
  • Effectively use computer programmes as provided by the Company.
  • You will be expected to participate in education, training or development as is necessary, to enable the company to achieve the company’s objectives as communicated to you.

Please note that the above duties do not appear in any order of priority.  The company reserves the right to add to or subtract from the above duties at their own discretion as the role evolves.

Essential Criteria

Skills and Experience

  • Minimum 8 years’ experience working in fit out and construction industry as a Senior Contracts/Projects Manager.
  • Track record of managing and delivering high value / multiple projects.
  • Strong communication, organisation and project planning skills.
  • Experience of building, leading and managing high performing teams.
  • Commercial awareness with informed decision‑making and value engineering mindset.
  • Sound knowledge of construction/marine practices, standards and material selection.
  • Effective upward reporting with early identification of issues impacting productivity and commerciality.

Qualities and Disposition

  • Communication - the ability to communicate effectively, using a variety of mediums to a wide range of audiences, both orally and in writing.
  • Negotiating and Commercial
  • Financial and Analytical
  • Planning & Organising
  • Accountability - takes personal responsibility for actions.
  • Building Relationships - ability to build relationships, interact sensitively, use effective networks.
  • Resilience -copes effectively under pressure.
  • Problem Solving - strong problem-solving ability.

Circumstances

  • Full, clean driving licence.
  • Extensive worldwide travel in accordance with the roles commercial functionality which will involve working for periods of time on sites throughout the world.

It would be desirable but not essential if the candidate had experience working in the marine fit out industry.

Applicants will be expected to provide written evidence of their right to work in the UK.

[Employer hidden] is the recipient of a Gold Investors in People award and a Bronze Diversity Mark. Our culture ensures a working environment that enables personal growth and development.

For further information contact Paula McDermott on [contact hidden] or telephone [contact hidden]

[Employer hidden] is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Applications close on Monday 30th March 5pm (GMT)

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