Contracts Manager

Contracts Manager Water & Infrastructure

Location: Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time 45 hours per week
Start: November 2026

Red Sky Personnel are recruiting for an experienced Contracts Manager to join a leading UK civil engineering and infrastructure contractor delivering major projects across the water sector.

This is a senior operational position overseeing the successful delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure schemes, including pipelines, tunnelling, pumping stations and associated civil engineering works.

The successful candidate will have significant experience managing major water/civils projects within a Tier 1 or direct-delivery contracting environment, taking responsibility for programme, commercial performance, resources, SHEQ and client relationships.

As Contracts Manager, you will oversee multiple projects and project teams, ensuring schemes are delivered safely, efficiently, commercially and in accordance with programme.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the delivery of major water and civil engineering projects from pre-construction through to completion.
• Ensuring projects are appropriately planned, programmed and resourced.
• Managing operational teams and ensuring direct labour is allocated effectively across projects.
• Monitoring project performance, budgets, resources and programme.
• Identifying opportunities to improve project margins, efficiencies and delivery.
• Reviewing cost plans, forecasts and monthly CVRs with project teams.
• Managing project risk registers and ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
• Ensuring effective procurement and commercial management of subcontractors and suppliers.
• Attending tender handovers and leading project pre-start meetings.
• Overseeing temporary and permanent works design requirements.
• Chairing internal, client and project meetings.
• Working closely with commercial, engineering, design and operational teams.
• Maintaining strong relationships with clients and key project stakeholders.
• Supporting recruitment, development and management of operational staff.

You will provide senior leadership across SHEQ, ensuring project teams maintain the highest standards throughout delivery.

Responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring compliance with company, client and statutory SHEQ requirements.
• Undertaking senior management site inspections.
• Ensuring appropriate ITPs and QA documentation are produced and maintained.
• Identifying training requirements and supporting continuous improvement.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements including HAUC, NRSWA and Chapter 8.
• Promoting and sharing best practice across project teams.

We are looking for an established Contracts Manager with a strong background in water and heavy civil engineering.

You will ideally have:

• Extensive Contracts Management experience within the water/civil engineering sector.
• Experience delivering large infrastructure schemes including pipelines, tunnelling and pumping stations.
• Strong experience working within a direct-delivery environment.
• Experience managing multiple projects and operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of NEC contracts, including Early Warnings and Compensation Events.
• Experience with commercial management, CVRs, forecasting, cost control and risk management.
• Knowledge of CDM regulations and design management.
• Experience with pre-qualification and tendering processes for multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong programme management knowledge, including MS Project; P6 experience would be advantageous.
• HNC/HND/Degree or equivalent relevant qualification.
• SMSTS.
• CSCS Card.
• Excellent leadership and people-management skills.
• Strong client and stakeholder management experience.

• CEng MICE or equivalent professional accreditation.
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate.

Alongside a salary, the position offers a comprehensive benefits package which may include:

• Company car or car allowance.
• Company pension.
• Private medical cover.
• Life assurance.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Additional loyalty leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Flexible benefits.
• Leadership and management development.
• Ongoing professional training and career development.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Contracts Manager from a water and heavy civils background to join a well-established infrastructure contractor with a strong secured workload and long-term project pipeline.