Contracts Manager

Naughton Contracts Limited (NCL)

Contracts Manager

Location: Office Based – Hatfield, Hertfordshire (flexible), with UK site visits

Naughton Contracts Ltd is a young, ambitious civil engineering company delivering groundworks, earthworks, basements, site set-up and enabling, and civil engineering solutions across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects, including major data centre developments. We're looking for a Contracts Manager to join our team at our Hatfield head office and take ownership of the safe, successful, and profitable delivery of our projects from award through to completion.

About the Role

As Contracts Manager, you'll be responsible for the overall management and delivery of multiple civil engineering contracts, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You'll act as the key link between the commercial, estimating, and site teams, and be the primary point of contact for clients throughout the project lifecycle. The role is office based in Hatfield with flexibility and will require regular travel to UK project sites as required.

Key Responsibilities

* Take full responsibility for the delivery of allocated contracts, from handover through to practical completion and final account. Manage site teams, subcontractors, and suppliers to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of groundworks, earthworks, basements, and civil engineering works.

* Monitor project programmes, identify risks and delays early, and implement corrective actions to keep projects on track. Oversee project budgets and costs, working closely with the commercial team to protect margins and identify value engineering opportunities.

* Ensure full compliance with health & safety legislation, CDM regulations, and Naughton's safety standards across all sites under your control.

* Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, designers, and principal contractors, representing Naughton professionally at all times.

* Review and manage subcontractor packages, including procurement, performance, and account close-out. Attend and lead regular progress meetings, providing clear reporting on programme, cost, and quality to senior management and clients.

* Support the estimating and pre-construction teams with buildability input and lessons learned from live projects. Mentor and develop site managers and junior staff within your project teams.

Experience

* Proven experience as a Contracts Manager, Senior Site Manager, or equivalent within civil engineering, groundworks, or construction. Track record of successfully delivering projects across residential, commercial, or infrastructure sectors, ideally including RC frame and/or basement works.

* Experience delivering data centre or industrial projects is an advantage.

* Experience managing multiple live projects and teams simultaneously.

Knowledge

* Strong understanding of civil engineering, groundworks, and RC frame construction methods, sequencing, and programming.

* Familiarity with construction contracts (e.g. JCT, NEC) and their commercial and contractual implications.

* Sound knowledge of CDM Regulations and UK health & safety legislation as it applies to project delivery.

* Awareness of current market conditions, labour, plant, and materials availability.

Qualifications

* Degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

* SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) certification required.

* CSCS Black (Manager) card required.

* Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIOB, ICE) is desirable but not essential.

* Full UK driving licence required, given the travel requirements of the role.

Skills

* Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate site teams and hold subcontractors to account.

* Commercially astute, with a solid understanding of cost control, valuations, and margin protection.

* Excellent organisational skills, able to manage multiple projects, competing deadlines, and shifting priorities.

* Clear, confident communicator, comfortable presenting to clients and senior stakeholders. Proactive, hands-on problem solver who is comfortable both in the office and on site.

Why Work for Us

* Join a young, ambitious, and fast-growing civil engineering company delivering complex projects across the UK and Europe.

* Be part of a business known for hitting deadlines, staying on budget, and delivering to the highest industry standards.

* Work on exciting, high-profile projects including advanced manufacturing and data centre developments.

* A professional, hands-on team environment where your contribution is valued and your development supported.

* Genuine opportunity to grow with the company as it establishes itself as a leading player in the industry.

If you have the skills and experience to excel in this role, we would love to hear from you.

Naughton Contracts is an Equal Opportunities employer and does not discriminate against any protected characteristic.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We are not using Recruitment Agencies for this role. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable