Senior Contracts Manager

Overview

The Senior Contracts Manager is the senior on-site leader with overall responsibility for the successful delivery, quality, safety, and financial performance of engineering projects. The role ensures full coordination of all aspects of the contract and that client expectations are met or exceeded. The role holder upholds the highest standards in line with Sisk’s HSEQS policies and procedures, while actively identifying opportunities to enhance project value and profitability.

At Sisk, we create places and infrastructure that shape how people live, work and connect – now and for future generations. As a family‑owned, international construction and engineering group, we offer meaningful careers across building, infrastructure, rail, energy and off‑site manufacturing throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe, where people are supported to grow, make an impact and be part of positive change.

• Preconstruction:
  • Lead the preparation of project programmes, method statements, and contract submissions.
  • Develop and manage the contract programme, typically in collaboration with the Estimating team during the tender stage.
  • Instruct the Quantity Surveyor (QS) on major preliminary expenditure (including plant, accommodation, and temporary works).
  • Chair project start-up and production meetings and support resource allocation alongside the Regional Director.
  • Oversee the subcontract buying schedule with the QS, notify relevant statutory authorities and stakeholders of site commencement, draft preliminary site logistics and temporary works registers (integrating early Health & Safety considerations), and attend Design Team Progress Meetings providing updates and technical input.
• Construction & Delivery:
  • Lead all project team functions including Project Execution Planning (PEP), risk management, commercial performance, HSEQS compliance, stakeholder engagement, design management, project administration and close-out.
  • Ensure the project team and supply chain have the required competencies to meet HSEQS requirements.
  • Coordinate consultant and subcontractor design delivery as required by the contract, including BIM delivery where applicable.
  • Implement and maintain the Project Execution Plan (PEP) with specific focus on HSE and Quality compliance.
  • Monitor progress against programme, liaising with subcontractors and site management, review buildability and identify improvements, protect Sisk’s contractual position through timely correspondence/notices/documentation, and maintain professional site presentation to positively represent the company.
  • Manage information flows, document control and required schedules, deliver accurate CVRs and monthly project reporting, and drive timely achievement of Practical Completion while resolving issues proactively.
• Subcontractor & Commercial Management:
  • Lead subcontractor selection, progress meetings, pre-order meetings and performance monitoring.
  • Oversee the work of the QS and Site Manager (SM), manage subcontractor performance and site productivity to achieve project milestones, and review/approve expenditure, subcontractor appointments, commercial reporting and financial control measures within agreed authorities.
• Post-Construction & Close-Out:
  • Lead defect management through completion and secure the Certificate of Making Good Defects.
  • Instruct and support the QS in loss and expense applications and the preparation of final accounts.
  • Oversee final commissioning, client handover and aftercare activities.
  • Drive continuous improvement and embed lessons learned into future delivery.
  • Complete performance and development conversations (PDPs) with direct reports and support delivery of agreed development actions.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in civil engineering project…