Contracts Manager

Criterion Capital is seeking a dynamic and experienced Contracts Manager to take ownership of the construction delivery of our office-to-hotel conversion, hotel, residential and mixed-use development projects across Central London.

Working within a business that acts as developer, asset manager and owner/operator, you will work closely with our in-house design, construction, asset management and operations teams, alongside contractors and consultants, to deliver projects safely, on programme, to budget and to the required quality.

Projects range from £15m to £60m+, with responsibility for either one major project or multiple smaller schemes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead construction delivery from commencement through to completion and handover, taking ownership of programme, budget, quality and risk.
• Develop and manage project programmes, budgets, milestones and delivery plans.
• Lead and coordinate contractors, consultants, design teams and internal stakeholders, ensuring clear accountability.
• Drive programme performance, proactively identifying and resolving issues, delays and risks.
• Manage and challenge contractors and consultants on cost, programme, quality, buildability and delivery.
• Oversee contracts, variations, change control, claims and commercial negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, building regulations, statutory approvals and quality requirements.
• Maintain clear project reporting, risk registers and project records.
• Work closely with Development, Design, Asset Management and Operations teams to ensure projects meet the wider business objectives.
• Lead completion, commissioning and handover, ensuring projects are delivered to a high standard.

About You

• 10+ years’ experience in construction/project management or contracts management.
• Proven experience delivering medium to large-scale construction, refurbishment or conversion projects.
• Strong existing-building and refurbishment experience; office-to-hotel, hospitality or residential experience preferred.
• Experience managing projects valued at £15m–£60m+.
• Strong knowledge of construction, procurement, contract administration, programme and cost management.
• Excellent commercial, negotiation, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Confident managing and challenging contractors, consultants and design teams.
• Degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Proficiency in MS Project, Primavera, Procore or similar.

The Person

We are looking for a hands-on, commercially minded doer who takes ownership, makes decisions and drives projects forward.

You will:

• Take accountability for outcomes rather than simply coordinate activity.
• Challenge poor or unrealistic work and hold project teams accountable.
• Identify issues early and take decisive action to resolve them.
• Balance cost, programme, quality and risk through strong commercial judgement.
• Build effective relationships while maintaining clear accountability.
• Challenge conventional approaches and find practical solutions.
• Take pride in delivering high-quality projects from construction through to successful handover.