JSM Group Services Ltd.
Senior Contracts Manager
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Join the Power Operations team at JSM Group Services Ltd., a leading provider of integrated utility infrastructure solutions. Our combination of end-to-end technical expertise, decades of industry experience, and unlimited fresh thinking makes us a trusted partner for the delivery of next-generation connectivity in energy and communications across the UK, Europe and beyond.
Our Power team delivers high-value electrical infrastructure projects for some of the most demanding clients in the sector – from hyperscale data centre operators to major industrial and grid clients. We are building a team of exceptional project management professionals who can drive complex programmes from award through to energisation, and we want people who take real ownership of their projects.
SCOPE OF ROLE
We're looking for an experienced and inspiring Senior Contracts Manager to lead the safe and successful delivery of major projects across our portfolio of power projects. This is an opportunity to influence projects that matter, lead high-performing teams and shape how we deliver essential infrastructure for generations to come.
As Senior Contracts Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of major construction projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
You'll play a key role in connecting with colleagues, supply partners and clients, providing assurance, insight and leadership throughout project delivery from a construction and buildability perspective.
Reporting to the Construction Director, you'll lead teams of construction professionals and work closely with our supply chain partners to create a collaborative, high-performing delivery environment.
This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll have the opportunity to influence decisions, drive continuous improvement and make a lasting impact on the success of JSM.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of construction activities across multiple new connections or infrastructure projects, from design development through to construction and final handover.
- Lead, manage, and mentor a team of Project Managers, including setting objectives, managing performance, and the creation of structured development pathways.
- Champion a culture of safety, wellbeing and continuous improvement.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with supply chain partners and internal stakeholders.
- Build trusted relationships with our clients, resolve escalations and drive positive customer satisfaction.
- Oversee subcontractor and supply chain performance, ensuring delivery quality, adherence to programme, commercial compliance and a safety-first approach.
- Review subcontract packages, supply chain appointments and consultant agreements.
- Maintain commercial governance, reporting and contract controls across a portfolio of projects; protect gross margin, cash flow and entitlement through effective management of contract terms, change control and payment mechanisms.
- Lead the administration of construction contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC) across a portfolio of multi-million-pound projects, ensuring all contractual notices, early warning, compensation events, and change control processes are handled in accordance with contract timelines.
- Manage claims, extensions of time, and final account negotiations with clients and subcontractors.
- Ensure in-house engineering teams and supply partners adhere to JSM SHEQ procedures, the Distribution Safety Rules and CDM regulations.
- Define construction strategy for 11kV to 400kV projects, from design through to final commissioning, ensuring alignment with JSM engineering policies & procedures.
- Interface with pre-construction, design, and commercial teams to ensure an integrated delivery.
- Promote the sharing of knowledge, lessons learned and best practice across the Operations team.
- Carry out thorough pre-contract review and risk analysis on new tenders and framework appointments, flagging key commercial, programme and legal risks to JSM Legal.
- Provide input into bids and tenders, ensuring construction methodologies and programmes support a competitive and commercially sound tender submission.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure appropriate resource planning, structure, and capability are in place to meet business needs.
- Represent JSM at client meetings, industry working groups and support trade exhibition events.
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Success Factors
- Creates a Culture of Accountability
- Defines clear standards, sets expectations for internal project management teams and subcontractors, and ensures multi-function outcomes (engineering, commercial, SHEQ, delivery) are consistently achieved.
- Builds Strategic Relationships and Shapes Organisational Narrative
- Maintains strong relationships with clients, network operators, regulators and internal leaders; communicates complex issues with clarity; represents JSM externally and contributes to a positive organisational culture.
- Leads and Builds High-Performing Delivery Teams
- Develops successors, coaches junior team members, and builds a team that is engaged, capable and accountable for delivery outcomes.
- Champions Safety Culture Across the Business Area
- Models safety leadership, ensures compliance with JSM SHEQ values, and drives continuous improvement in safety behaviours and outcomes across all projects.
- Leads Change, Innovation and Continuous Improvement
- Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost and enhance delivery outcomes; leads teams through change and ensures the business area keeps pace with industry standards and technology adoption.
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Skills, Qualifications & Experience
- Significant experience in a senior contracts or commercial management role within utilities infrastructure, or regulated network operator environments.
- Strong commercial acumen with proven experience protecting margin and managing contractual risk across framework and project delivery models.
- In-depth understanding, and demonstrable practicable experience of managing construction contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC).
- Proven ability to lead negotiations and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience in supporting tendering, and work-winning activities.
- A strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and identify root causes.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and present confidently.
- Demonstrable track record of self-motivation and inspiring change in an evolving industry with increased utilisation of technology.
- Flexible and pragmatic approach, able to work independently while also being a team player.
- A recognised professional project management qualification (APM, Prince2).
- IOSH Managing Safely, SMSTS or similar qualification.
- Full UK driving licence, and willingness to travel to site in the UK, as required.
Desirable
- A degree-level qualification in Engineering, Construction, Project Management or a related discipline.
- Chartered status or working towards chartership.
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