Senior Contract Manager

Contracts Manager / Senior Contracts Manager

Location: Cork

The Opportunity

An established and growing construction and engineering contractor is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager / Senior Contracts Manager to lead the successful delivery of a major construction project in Cork.

This is a senior leadership role with overall responsibility for project delivery, ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, commercial performance and client satisfaction. The successful candidate will oversee the project from pre-construction through to completion and handover while managing multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors.

This opportunity offers the chance to join a respected contractor with a strong pipeline of projects across Ireland.

Key Responsibilities Pre-Construction

• Lead the preparation of project programmes, method statements and contract documentation.
• Develop and manage the overall project programme in collaboration with estimating and pre-construction teams.
• Oversee major preliminary expenditure including plant, temporary works and site accommodation.
• Chair project start-up and planning meetings.
• Support resource planning and project mobilisation.
• Manage subcontract procurement schedules alongside the commercial team.
• Coordinate statutory notifications and stakeholder communications.
• Develop site logistics plans and temporary works registers with an emphasis on health and safety.
• Attend design team meetings, providing programme updates and technical input.

Project Delivery

• Take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of projects across programme, quality, safety and commercial performance.
• Lead Project Execution Planning (PEP), risk management and project reporting.
• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HSEQ) standards.
• Coordinate consultant and subcontractor design activities, including BIM delivery where required.
• Monitor programme progress and proactively resolve project issues.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants and subcontractors.
• Protect contractual interests through effective contract administration and documentation.
• Deliver accurate monthly commercial reporting and Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs).
• Drive projects through to Practical Completion within programme and budget.

Commercial & Subcontractor Management

• Lead subcontractor selection, negotiation and performance management.
• Chair subcontractor progress and coordination meetings.
• Work closely with Quantity Surveyors and Site Managers to maximise productivity and commercial performance.
• Review project expenditure and ensure robust financial control throughout the project lifecycle.

Project Close-Out

• Manage defect resolution through to final completion.
• Support the preparation and agreement of final accounts.
• Oversee commissioning, client handover and aftercare activities.
• Capture lessons learned and promote continuous improvement.
• Support the development and performance management of project team members.

Candidate Requirements Essential

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience as a Contracts Manager or Senior Contracts Manager delivering large-scale construction projects.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing project budgets and CVRs.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent Health & Safety qualification).
• Temporary Works Coordinator training.
• Knowledge of excavation safety and permitting requirements.
• Experience managing working at height, scaffolding and lifting operations.
• Good understanding of behavioural safety, root cause analysis and construction health & safety legislation.

Desirable

• Chartered status or working towards chartership.
• Experience with Project Execution Planning (PEP).
• Strong understanding of BIM coordination and design management.
• Experience delivering complex commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical or infrastructure projects.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to lead the delivery of a high-profile construction project in Cork.
• Join a well-established contractor with a strong pipeline of major projects.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Long-term career progression within a growing organisation.
• Collaborative, safety-focused and supportive working environment.

For more information please call Christina Keating on or email