Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager - Infrastructure The Opportunity

We are growing our team delivering AMP8 for Thames Water, to meet the greatly enlarged programme of works between 2025 and 2030. Tilbury Douglas have already been allocated circa 250 m of projects in the delightful rural setting of the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire and Thames Valley regions.

This is a great opportunity to join the team delivering on Treatment Works within this area. Our projects are a mix of civil, mechanical, electrical and ICA scopes and range between 2.5 m to 25 m in size, several of which will be on sites that we are completing AMP7 projects.

This is also an exciting time to join the Tilbury Douglas Infrastructure Division as we are delivering enlarged AMP8 programmes across the UK for several water companies. We are recruiting across all project disciplines including management, supervision, design, engineering, commercial, project controls and project services.

This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, excellence at client relationships and exceptional problem‑solving skills.

The Contracts Manager leads a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. They provide leadership to the Project Managers, Site Management, Supervision and Engineering, as well as leadership of the technical forums; temporary works, lifting and site engineering.

Thames Water is a complex multi‑faced organisation; the Contracts Manager will need to be experienced in developing and managing the client relationship at different interface points and across varying levels of leadership seniority.

• Provide strong operational, safety, health, wellbeing and environmental leadership to the project delivery team
• Develop and implement the company’s project management strategies in alignment with business objectives (Including adoption of new IMS)
• Support framework improvement and divisional business development activities by providing technical expertise, support and ensuring feasibility of proposals
• Provide guidance and training to junior staff

• Recruit and develop project delivery teams that are recognised by stakeholders for excellence in delivery
• Oversee the planning, execution, and successful completion of construction projects
• Ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards
• Support technical investigations, technical reviews, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving for complex challenges.

• Ensure adherence to UK building regulations, health and safety laws, and company policies.
• Support implementation of quality management systems to uphold industry standards and accreditations.
• Monitor industry developments and regulatory changes, ensuring company practices remain compliant.

• Lead, mentor, and develop project teams, promoting continuous learning and professional development.
• Foster collaboration across departments, ensuring alignment between client, project delivery teams, supply chain and end users
• Build strong relationships with clients, contractors and other stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor.

• Develop and oversee project budgets, monitor expenditure and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost‑saving measures.
• Support Identification of potential risks and support development of mitigation strategies to ensure project success
• Track project performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement improvements as needed

• Drive innovation, ensuring adoption of best practices and emerging technologies in construction and engineering
• Promote sustainable practices and solutions in line with company goals and client requirements
• Encourage the adoption of digital tools such as A‑Site and the IMS, and other advanced technologies to enhance project efficiency

• Experience in a similar Contract Management role for a main contractor
• Degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate construction related subject
• Professional Qualification e.g. CIOB, CITB Level 3 Safety Course
• Appropria…