John Charles Search
Head of Contracts
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📍 Location: Portsmouth (with UK-wide travel as required)
💷 Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 + Benefits
📋 Reporting to: Operations Director
Our Client
A well-established UK construction and engineering business specialising in structural steel and commercial fit-out projects. Since the 1970s, they have delivered projects across a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, building a strong reputation for quality, technical expertise, and reliable project delivery.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Head of Contracts to take overall responsibility for the successful commercial and operational delivery of the company's construction projects from contract award through to completion.
This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for overseeing the contracts function, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and to the high standards expected by the business and its clients.
The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction to Contracts Managers and project teams, while maintaining close relationships with clients, principal contractors, consultants, subcontractors, and internal departments. The role will have significant responsibility for contract strategy, commercial performance, programme management, risk, procurement, client relationships, and continuous improvement across the contracts function.
Key Responsibilities
Contracts & Operational Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership and direction across the contracts and project delivery function.
- Oversee multiple construction projects from contract award through to practical completion and final account.
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
- Establish effective project delivery strategies, processes, and standards across the contracts team.
- Monitor project performance and intervene where projects are at risk of programme, cost, quality, or contractual targets.
- Lead regular contract and project performance reviews with senior management.
- Develop and mentor Contracts Managers, Project Managers, and other members of the project delivery team.
- Ensure consistent application of company procedures, systems, and best practice across all projects.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, profitability, and project delivery.
Commercial & Contract Management
- Take overall responsibility for the commercial performance of projects under the contracts function.
- Review and oversee contract terms, obligations, risks, and commercial exposure.
- Monitor project budgets, costs, margins, cash flow, and financial performance.
- Oversee variations, compensation events, claims, and change control processes.
- Ensure contractual entitlements are identified, documented, and recovered appropriately.
- Review subcontractor and supplier agreements, procurement strategies, and commercial packages.
- Oversee applications for payment, valuations, final accounts, and commercial reporting.
- Provide accurate monthly forecasts and financial reporting to the Operations Director and senior management.
- Identify commercial risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Support senior management with business planning, forecasting, and strategic commercial decisions.
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Client & Stakeholder Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, principal contractors, consultants, and supply chain partners.
- Act as a senior escalation point for contractual, commercial, and operational issues.
- Attend and lead high-level client and project meetings where required.
- Manage client expectations and ensure a consistently high standard of customer service.
- Resolve disputes and project issues promptly, professionally, and commercially.
- Support the business in developing repeat business and long-term client relationships.
- Represent the company professionally in negotiations and commercial discussions.
Programme, Procurement & Supply Chain
- Oversee project programmes and ensure delivery teams maintain realistic and achievable project plans.
- Monitor progress against key milestones and ensure appropriate recovery plans are implemented where required.
- Oversee procurement strategies and ensure materials, subcontractors, and resources are secured in line with programme requirements.
- Ensure effective management of subcontractors and suppliers across all projects.
- Monitor supply chain performance against programme, quality, cost, and safety requirements.
- Support the Contracts team in resolving procurement and supply chain issues.
Design & Engineering Coordination
- Provide senior oversight of design and engineering coordination across projects.
- Ensure design activities are appropriately planned and coordinated with construction programmes.
- Review technical issues and support project teams in resolving engineering challenges.
- Ensure projects comply with relevant British Standards, Building Regulations, CDM Regulations, and industry best practice.
- Coordinate effectively with architects, structural engineers, building control officers, and internal design teams.
- Ensure technical documentation is appropriately reviewed and approved prior to issue.
Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture across the contracts function.
- Ensure projects comply with current health and safety legislation and company procedures.
- Provide oversight of CDM requirements and construction phase documentation.
- Ensure RAMS, quality plans, and project documentation are appropriately prepared and maintained.
- Conduct site visits, project reviews, and audits as required.
- Ensure quality standards are consistently maintained across all projects.
- Lead by example in promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Business Development & Strategic Support
- Work closely with the Operations Director and senior management team on operational and commercial strategy.
- Support tender reviews and provide input into project pricing, contractual risk, and delivery strategy.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins, operational performance, and customer retention.
- Contribute to the development of company procedures, systems, and operational standards.
- Support the business in securing repeat and additional work with existing clients.
- Provide market and project intelligence to senior management to support business decisions.
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Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- HND, Higher Diploma, or equivalent qualification in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Significant experience within structural steel, steel construction, commercial fit-out, or a related construction environment.
- Proven experience in a senior contracts, commercial, or project management position.
- Strong understanding of construction contracts and contract administration.
- Demonstrable experience managing multiple projects and project teams simultaneously.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing project financial performance.
- Experience managing variations, claims, final accounts, and contractual risk.
- Proven experience dealing directly with clients, principal contractors, consultants, and subcontractors.
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Degree in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Construction Management.
- SMSTS qualification.
- CSCS Managers Card.
- IOSH Managing Safely.
- Experience with NEC, JCT, or other relevant construction contracts.
- Knowledge of Building Regulations, CDM Regulations, and EN1090 requirements.
- Experience in a senior management or Head of Department position.
Technical & Commercial Skills
The successful candidate should have a strong understanding of:
- Construction contract administration.
- Commercial management and financial reporting.
- Project forecasting and budget control.
- Construction programming and programme recovery.
- Procurement and subcontract management.
- Variations, claims, and change management.
- Structural steelwork and construction methodologies.
- Structural design and engineering coordination.
- Building Regulations and CDM requirements.
- Risk management and contractual compliance.
- Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
Experience with AutoCAD and structural design software such as MasterSeries, TEDDS, or Tekla Structural Designer would be advantageous, although the primary focus of the position is senior contracts and operational management.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and people-management capability.
- Commercially astute and results-driven approach.
- Excellent organisational and strategic planning skills.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Confident decision-making and problem-solving capability.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain a strategic overview.
- Professional and confident approach when dealing with clients and senior stakeholders.
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing contracts team.
- A proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational and commercial issues.
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