Contracts Manager

ABOUT US

Since 2010, Return Property Services has delivered refurbishment projects across London and the South East in the residential, commercial and education sectors, including heritage and listed buildings. Clients include Knight Frank, JLL, Savills, The Crown Estate and Wellcome Trust. On every project we work closely with architects, M&E designers, structural, fire and temporary works engineers, and building control consultants.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a Contracts Manager to plan and deliver our refurbishment projects (£100k–£2m) safely, on time, on budget and to a high standard. Our clients include corporate and portfolio landlords, the Great Estates, asset managers and property managers, often through their surveyors and architects acting as Contract Administrators. This is a full-time, permanent position based at our Fitzrovia office, with regular site visits. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage multiple projects from pre-start to handover
• Build and manage detailed programmes as Gantt charts in Microsoft Project
• Prepare site logistics plans (welfare, scaffold, access) and identify project risks
• Weekly report to the Directors on programme, progress, labour and quality
• Work with the QS on procurement, budgets and variations
• Survey building condition and prepare repair schedules for pricing by the QS
• Measure works on site, including material assessment, quantification and ordering
• JCT contract administration, including identifying Relevant Events and issuing delay notices
• Request for information (RFI) management
• Manage subcontractors from approval to onboarding to close out
• Work closely with Site Managers and Foremen – delegate, support and review their daily site reports
• Manage client and all stakeholder relationships, and chair progress meetings
• Set and assess Quality Assurance standards and maintain documentation
• Manage site waste and environmental issues
• Deliver project handovers, including O&M manuals

HEALTH, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

• Ensure sites comply with CDM 2015 and H&S requirements
• Develop and manage the Construction Phase Plan (CPP), RAMS, inductions and toolbox talks
• Work with our H&S advisor and scaffold inspector
• Coordinate with all duty holders as Principal Contractor
• Building Safety Act duties, including the Golden Thread and Mandatory Occurrence Reporting

ABOUT YOU

Essential

10+ years in construction, including 5+ years as a Contracts Manager for a main contractor in London

Refurbishment background (not new build) – residential and commercial projects of £100k–£2m

Heritage, traditional and modern buildings experience

Experienced in complex projects – multi-unit, mixed use, façades, roofs, party walls and below-ground drainage

CSCS Black (Manager) card with NVQ Level 6 or 7 in Construction Management, or equivalent

Asbestos Awareness

Sound knowledge of CDM 2015 and the Building Safety Act 2022

Experience in the JCT contract suite, including contractor’s design

Highly proficient in Microsoft Project, producing detailed Gantt chart programmes

Confident with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and spreadsheets

Capable of reading and interpreting drawings and specifications, and spotting what won’t work in practice

Experience in estimating, material assessment and quantification

Experienced and comfortable working with architects, M&E designers, structural, fire and temporary works engineers, and building control consultants

A high-level communicator who is comfortable and confident managing multiple project stakeholders – client, contract administrator, property managers, residents and neighbours

Knowledge of internal works (MEP, fire, ceilings, dry lining, finishes) and external works (roofing, masonry, façades, scaffolding)

Valid driving licence and comfortable working at height

Construction intelligence and application

Desirable

MCIOB

First Aid

Monday software and AI tools

Skills and attributes

Leadership – motivates site teams and gives clients confidence

Ownership – high standards and takes responsibility for decisions

Organisation – prioritises well and stays calm under pressure

Communication – clear and diplomatic with clients, consultants and site teams

Risk awareness – spots a small problem early and acts on it before it becomes a big one

Problem solving – practical, and gets the job done with the resources available

Commercial awareness – strong numeracy, quantities, variations, and markup vs margin

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary, negotiable on experience
• 28 days holiday including bank holidays, plus Christmas shutdown and long service days
• Workplace pension
• Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured)
• Office in Fitzrovia, central London