Senior Contracts Manager

About the Position

We are seeking a Senior Contracts Manager to lead engineering projects in Cork, Ireland, ensuring successful delivery, quality, safety, and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Professional qualification in a construction-related field (degree or equivalent), ideally chartered.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent) Health & Safety certification.
• Temporary Works Coordinator and Excavation Safety training.
• Knowledge of permitting requirements for live energy works.
• Training/competence in Working at Heights, Scaffolding, and Lifting & Cranage operations.
• Familiarity with Behavioural Safety, Root Cause Analysis, and PSCS/CDM requirements.

Nice to Have

• Formal training and/or demonstrated experience in Contracts Management, Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), and Project Execution Planning (PEP).

We Offer

• Competitive salary range of €85,000 - €115,000 per annum.
• Full-time position.
• Opportunity to work in Cork, Ireland.

About the Company

Cpl is a leading recruitment and managed services company, dedicated to connecting talent with opportunities across various sectors. We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, innovation, and client satisfaction.