Contract Manager

Contract Manager

(Private projects, Warehouses, Factory and Industrial)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Contract Manager to lead the commercial and contractual management of private building projects, with a strong focus on warehouse, industrial and commercial developments.

The Contract Manager will lead the Quantity Surveying (QS) and Contracts function, overseeing the full contract lifecycle from tender preparation and submission through procurement, contract administration, cost control, variation management and final account settlement. The role will work closely with the Project Director, Project Manager, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and clients to ensure projects are commercially sound, contractually protected and delivered within approved budgets.

Key responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Tender & Pre-Contract Management

• Lead and manage the QS/tender team for private building and warehouse projects.
• Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, BOQ and contract conditions.
• Lead tender pricing, cost planning, measurement and preparation of tender submissions.
• Analyse subcontractor and supplier quotations and conduct commercial comparisons.
• Prepare tender clarifications, qualifications, exclusions and commercial proposals.
• Identify commercial risks, contractual obligations and potential cost exposures during tender stage.
• Participate in tender interviews and negotiations with clients, consultants and subcontractors.
• Develop tender strategies to improve project competitiveness and profitability.

2. Contract & Commercial Management

• Lead the QS team in administering main contracts, subcontractors and supplier agreements.
• Ensure compliance with contractual terms, specifications, payment provisions and project requirements.
• Monitor project costs, commitments, cash flow and commercial performance.
• Review and certify progress claims, payment responses, variations and final accounts.
• Manage variation orders, extension of time, loss and expense, claims and contractual notices.
• Identify potential commercial disputes and develop strategies for timely resolution.
• Maintain proper documentation and records to protect the company's contractual position.

3. QS Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and manage the QS team, including assigning responsibilities and monitoring deliverables.
• Establish standards and procedures for measurement, cost control, tendering, procurement and contract administration.
• Review the quality and accuracy of QS submissions, cost reports and commercial assessments.
• Guide QS team members on contractual interpretation, valuation, variation assessment and claims.
• Build the commercial capability of the QS team and develop junior QS professionals.

4. Project Commercial Control

• Establish project budgets, cost plans and commercial controls from project commencement.
• Monitor actual costs against budget and identify cost overruns or potential exposures.
• Prepare regular cost reports, cash flow forecasts, project forecasts and commercial dashboards.
• Monitor subcontractor and supplier commitments against approved budgets.
• Work closely with Project Managers and site teams to identify cost-saving and value-engineering opportunities.
• Ensure commercial decisions are aligned with project programme, construction methodology and site requirements.

5. Procurement & Subcontract Management

• Lead the commercial evaluation and appointment of subcontractors and suppliers.
• Review subcontract terms, scope, pricing, exclusions and commercial risks.
• Support procurement strategy and negotiate competitive subcontract packages.
• Monitor subcontractor performance, progress claims, variations and final accounts.
• Ensure scope gaps, interface risks and commercial responsibilities are clearly identified.

6. Client & Consultant Management

• Act as the key commercial representative of the company with clients, consultants and stakeholders.
• Participate in commercial meetings, tender negotiations and contract discussions.
• Present project cost and commercial positions to senior management.
• Maintain strong professional relationships while protecting the company's commercial interests.
• Support the Project Director and Project Manager in resolving contractual and commercial matters.

7. Final Account & Project Close-Out

• Lead the preparation and negotiation of final accounts with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensure all variations, claims, contra charges and outstanding commercial matters are properly closed.
• Review project profitability and conduct commercial post-project reviews.
• Capture lessons learned to improve future tendering, procurement and project delivery.

About you

• Degree/Diploma in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Building, Civil Engineering or related discipline
• Minimum 8–12 years of relevant experience in contracts and quantity surveying, preferably with a main contractor
• Strong experience in private building projects, warehouses, industrial developments or commercial projects
• Proven experience managing projects from tender stage through to final account
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, procurement, cost control, variation management and claims
• Proven experience leading and developing a QS/Contracts team
• Strong tendering, negotiation and commercial management skills
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, BOQ and contractual documents
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify project risks and opportunities
• Good communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills