Contracts Manager – Special Works

About the role

The Contracts Manager will join a leading regional main contractor’s Special Works division in Oxford. You will be responsible for delivering a portfolio of 10 live schemes ranging from £500k to £4 million, guiding each project from pre‑construction through to final handover.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee around 10 concurrent projects across Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.
• Lead each scheme from tender and pre‑construction planning to completion and handover.
• Review new opportunities, assess buildability, logistics, programme, risk and resource requirements.
• Support and manage Project Managers, Site Managers and on‑site teams.
• Ensure delivery meets safety, quality, time and budget targets.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and subcontractors.
• Monitor programme performance, cost control and commercial outcomes, identifying and mitigating risks early.
• Promote consistent standards and a quality‑focused culture across all sites.

Required profile

• Proven main‑contracting background with experience managing multiple construction projects.
• Comfortable leading teams across several live sites simultaneously.
• Experience with projects valued between £500 k and £4 m in sectors such as education, commercial, heritage, refurbishment and public sector.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to make sound decisions on project selection and resourcing.

Required skills