Oakstone Contracting
Contracts Manager - Highways
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Highways Contract / Project Manager
Oakstone Contracting
Based in Chelmsford, Essex
About Oakstone
Oakstone Contracting is a growing highways and civil engineering contractor based in Chelmsford, Essex, delivering projects across the South East and London.
Our works include S278 and S50 highway works, highway maintenance, drainage, kerbing, footways, cycleways, carriageway construction and surfacing. We work with Highway Authorities, Principal Contractors, developers and private-sector clients, including directly for Highway Authorities across Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent and London.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Highways Contract / Project Manager to take ownership of key projects and support the continued development of our highways division.
The Role
This is a senior position offering genuine responsibility and autonomy for managing projects from pre-construction through to completion and final account.
You will be responsible for ensuring projects are properly planned, resourced and delivered safely, efficiently, on programme and within budget. A key part of the role will involve planning, allocating, sourcing and appointing labour, gangs, plant, subcontractors and other resources to meet the company's workload and programme requirements.
You will work closely with clients, Highway Authorities, Site Managers, subcontractors and the Oakstone management team to maintain high standards of delivery, commercial performance and client satisfaction.
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Key Responsibilities
- Manage highways and civil engineering projects from pre-start through to completion and commercial close-out.
- Develop and monitor programmes, budgets, project costs and delivery plans.
- Plan, allocate and secure labour, gangs, plant, subcontractors and materials to meet programme requirements.
- Build and maintain relationships with labour agencies, subcontractors, suppliers and specialist providers.
- Monitor progress, productivity and costs, identifying risks, delays and opportunities to improve performance.
- Manage client relationships, attend progress meetings and provide regular programme and commercial updates.
- Ensure works comply with drawings, specifications, Highway Authority requirements, permits and traffic management arrangements.
- Identify and manage variations, additional works, delays and commercial risks.
- Work with Site Managers and Supervisors to ensure works are delivered safely, to the required quality and in accordance with RAMS and project requirements.
- Coordinate technical queries, quality documentation, defects and project handovers.
- Promote Oakstone's health, safety and environmental standards and support the continued growth of the business.
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Essential Experience & Requirements
- Proven experience managing highways or civil engineering projects.
- Strong understanding of highway construction and project delivery.
- Experience planning programmes and managing labour, subcontractors and other resources.
- Commercial awareness, including project costs, variations and final accounts.
- Confident communication and relationship-building skills when dealing with clients and senior stakeholders.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Experience working directly for Highway Authorities.
- Experience with S278, S38 and S50 works.
- Knowledge of NEC contracts and Highway Authority specifications.
- SMSTS, CSCS and NRSWA qualifications.
- HNC/HND or degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
- Temporary Works Coordinator experience.
- Experience working with major Principal Contractors.
What We Offer
- A senior role within a growing highways contractor.
- Genuine responsibility and autonomy over project delivery.
- A varied portfolio of projects across the South East and London.
- The opportunity to influence resource planning and the future growth of the business.
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Company vehicle and fuel card.
- Company pension and annual leave entitlement.
- Training and professional development opportunities.
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