Construction Contracts Manager

Job Description:

Construction contracts managers look after building contracts and construction costs.

Job Category:
Engineering & Construction

What you will do:

In this job, you would:

  • draft plans and estimates for building work, including budgets and timescales
  • prepare and present documents for tender
  • plan what work needs doing
  • tell teams, contractors and suppliers what to do
  • gather information for invoicing at the end of the project
  • supply information to resolve contract disagreements
  • identify areas for improvement

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • maths knowledge
  • design skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University
You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject about construction.

Subjects that include units on contract law are useful, for example:

  • civil or structural engineering
  • construction management
  • building studies
  • quantity surveying

Apprenticeship
You could start by doing a degree apprenticeship in construction management or design and construction management. After you finish, you can specialise in contract work.

Work
You may be able to move into contract management after working as an administrator or contracts assistant at a construction company.

Experience and qualifications in quantity surveying or estimating could also be useful.

Direct Application
If you have project management or contract experience from another industry, like civil engineering, you could use this to apply for contract management jobs in construction.

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to have a full driving licence.

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work at a client’s business, on a construction site or in an office.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could:

  • move into general construction management
  • become a consultant
  • become a company director
  • work in larger construction project management by completing a
  • degree apprenticeship in project control
  • work in support services, like health and safety inspection
  • move into a related industry, such as civil engineering