Hays
Contracts Manager
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Contracts Manager - Special Works
Location: Oxford
Salary: £80,000 - £85,000 + Package
Sector: Construction | Refurbishment | Heritage | Education | Commercial | Special Works
Overview
An established and highly respected regional main contractor is looking to appoint a Contracts Manager to join its successful Oxford team.
This is a key role within the company's Special Works division, overseeing a varied portfolio of projects across Oxfordshire and the surrounding region. Projects typically range from £500k to £4 million, with around 10 live schemes running at any one time.
The business has a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality building projects across sectors including education, commercial, healthcare, heritage, refurbishment, public sector and small new-build schemes. With a strong regional presence and a loyal client base, they are known for their collaborative approach, quality delivery, and ability to work successfully in complex live environments.
The Role
As Contracts Manager, you will be responsible for leading multiple projects from pre-construction through to completion, ensuring each scheme is delivered safely, commercially, on programme, and to the expected quality standards. You will play an important role in reviewing new opportunities, selecting suitable projects, supporting pre-construction planning, and making sure each job is properly resourced before it reaches site.
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Working closely with Project Managers, Site Managers, Quantity Surveyors, clients, consultants, and supply chain partners, you will provide strong operational leadership across the region.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee around 10 live projects across Oxfordshire and the surrounding area.
- Manage projects ranging from £500k to £4 million.
- Lead projects from pre-construction through to final handover.
- Support the selection of suitable work for the Special Works division.
- Review buildability, logistics, programme, risk, and resource requirements.
- Manage and support Project Managers, Site Managers, and site teams.
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
- Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and subcontractors.
- Monitor programme performance, quality, cost control, and commercial outcomes.
- Identify project risks early and implement practical solutions.
- Ensure consistent standards across all sites.
- Promote a positive, professional, and quality-focused culture.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone with a strong main contracting background who is comfortable managing multiple projects and leading teams across several live sites. You may already be working as a Contracts Manager, or you could be a Senior Project Manager looking for the next step in your career.
The ideal candidate will have experience across sectors such as:
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- Refurbishment
- Education
- Commercial
- Heritage
- Healthcare
- Public sector
- Small new-build projects
- Occupied/live environments
Candidate Requirements
- Experience as a Contracts Manager or Senior Project Manager.
- Main contractor background.
- Strong knowledge of construction delivery, pre-construction, and programme management.
- Ability to oversee multiple projects at the same time.
- Good commercial awareness and understanding of project risk.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Confident managing clients, consultants, subcontractors, and internal teams.
- High standards around health & safety, quality, and client satisfaction.
- Based within commuting distance of Oxford or happy to work across the region.
Package
- Salary: £80,000 - £85,000
- Car allowance / company package
- Pension
- Additional company benefits
- Long-term progression opportunities
- Strong pipeline of regional work
How to Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply via the link or contact James Mitchell for a confidential discussion.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job, you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk.
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