Senior Contracts Manager

Senior Contracts Manager

About the Company

An established UK fit-out and construction specialist with over 40 years of experience delivering high-quality spaces across retail, hospitality, wellness and commercial sectors.

The business has evolved from a traditional shopfitting background into a full-service fit-out partner, providing turnkey project delivery from strip-out and enabling works through to construction, specialist packages, fit-out and final handover.

The project portfolio includes complex, high-profile schemes for international and premium brands, alongside ambitious independent clients. The business is experienced in delivering projects within live trading environments, major shopping centres, heritage and listed buildings, and logistically challenging Central London locations.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to join the team and take commercial and contractual ownership of major fit-out projects from pre-construction through to successful completion.

The Role

As Senior Contracts Manager, you will be responsible for the successful commercial and contractual management of multiple high-value fit-out and construction projects.

You will work closely with the senior leadership team, Project Managers, Estimators, Design Teams, clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers to ensure projects are delivered safely, commercially successfully, on programme and to the high standards expected by the business and its clients.

This is a senior, hands-on position suited to someone who combines strong commercial judgement with excellent project and stakeholder management skills.

You will be expected to take ownership, identify risk early, challenge where necessary and provide clear commercial direction throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Contractual Management

Take overall commercial and contractual responsibility for allocated projects.

Lead the commercial strategy from contract award through to final account.

Review, negotiate and administer main contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders and associated agreements.

Ensure contractual obligations, notices, payment provisions and commercial deadlines are actively managed.

Identify contractual and commercial risks at an early stage and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

Maintain robust records and documentation to protect the company's contractual position.

Manage applications for payment, valuations, payment notices, certificates and final accounts.

Monitor project profitability, cost-to-complete and commercial performance.

Prepare and present regular commercial reports to senior management.

Change Management & Variations

Take ownership of the project's change-control process.

Identify, value and negotiate variations, instructions, omissions and additional works.

Ensure all changes are properly instructed, recorded, priced and recovered.

Work closely with Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors to maximise entitlement and minimise commercial leakage.

Manage extension-of-time and loss-and-expense considerations where applicable.

Maintain accurate change and risk registers throughout the project lifecycle.

Subcontractor & Supply Chain Management

Lead the commercial management of key subcontractors and suppliers.

Procure and negotiate subcontract packages in conjunction with the project and procurement teams.

Ensure subcontract agreements appropriately reflect the obligations of the main contract.

Manage subcontractor accounts, variations, payment applications and final accounts.

Challenge poor commercial performance and support the project team in resolving disputes.

Develop strong, professional relationships with delivery partners while maintaining commercial discipline.

Client & Consultant Relationships

Build trusted relationships with clients, project managers, quantity surveyors, consultants and other stakeholders.

Represent the business professionally in commercial and contractual discussions.

Attend and lead commercial meetings where required.

Provide clear, commercially informed advice to clients and internal stakeholders.

Help resolve contractual issues proactively and collaboratively.

Maintain the company's reputation for clear communication, accountability and delivery.

Project Delivery

Work closely with the Project Manager to ensure commercial decisions support programme and delivery objectives.

Review project performance against budget, programme and contractual requirements.

Support the team in resolving design, procurement, programme and construction issues with commercial implications.

Ensure commercial considerations are embedded into project decision-making.

Assist with pre-construction, tender reviews and contract negotiations on new projects where required.

Support project handover, defects and final account processes through to completion.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

Significant experience in a Contracts Manager, Senior Contracts Manager, Commercial Manager or similar senior commercial role within fit-out.

Proven experience managing projects from contract award through to final account.

Strong understanding of construction contracts, commercial management and contractual administration.

Demonstrable experience managing variations, valuations, final accounts, subcontractors and commercial risk.

Strong negotiation skills with both clients and supply chain partners.

Excellent understanding of construction sequencing, programme and project delivery.

Strong financial and commercial awareness.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a senior project team.

Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Desirable

Experience working within live trading environments or major shopping centres.

Experience of Central London or other logistically complex projects.

Experience with heritage/listed buildings.

Experience working for a principal contractor.

Degree/HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management or a related discipline.

Professional membership of RICS, CIOB or a similar industry body.

Experience with JCT and/or other commonly used UK construction contracts.

The Person

Commercially astute – able to understand the detail while keeping sight of the bigger picture.

Proactive – identifies risks and opportunities before they become problems.

Confident – comfortable negotiating with senior clients, consultants and subcontractors.

Hands-on – willing to get into the detail and take ownership rather than simply delegate.

Collaborative – works closely with operational teams to achieve the best project outcome.

Client-focused – understands that commercial success and strong client relationships go hand in hand.

Decisive – able to make sound commercial decisions under pressure.

Organised – capable of managing multiple projects, deadlines and contractual requirements.

Professional – represents the business with integrity and credibility.

Solutions-focused – looks for ways to resolve issues rather than simply identify them.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join an established, independent fit-out specialist with a strong reputation for delivering complex, high-quality projects.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work across a varied project portfolio, including premium retail, hospitality, wellness and commercial environments, with exposure to technically demanding and high-profile projects.

The role offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, while playing a key role in the commercial success of major projects and the continued growth of the business