Senior Contract Manager
Company: COLAS ROADS UK
Job Location: GRANTHAM, GBR
Type of Contract: Permanent
Posting Start Date: 01/4/2026
Purpose of the role
Colas Ltd are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to lead and manage Integrated Transport Systems (ITS) contracts across the UK National Highways Strategic Road Network, including the Brighton and Hove Street Lighting and Maintenance Contract. This is a senior leadership role with full financial responsibility, focused on delivering safe, ethical, and profitable contracts while driving operational excellence, business growth, sustainability, and social value.
Location: Grantham office (NG31 7LG). Occasional travel to Brighton and periodic international travel to Italy and France as required.
Main Responsibilities
* Lead the end-to-end delivery of ITS contracts, ensuring full ownership from mobilisation to completion and full compliance with NEC3, NEC4, and bespoke contractual requirements.
* Maintain robust financial control: budgeting, forecasting, cost management, risk mitigation, and debtor management, while producing accurate and transparent contractual and financial reporting.
* Embed LEAN management principles to drive continuous improvement, efficiency, and right-first-time delivery across all workstreams.
* Manage and develop supplier and subcontractor relationships, ensuring ethical procurement, legislative compliance, and maximisation of social and environmental value.
* Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships to support contract performance and business growth.
* Ensure strict adherence to Health, Safety, Environmental, CDM, and Quality requirements.
* Support business planning, tendering, and growth strategies, and represent the business professionally at client meetings and industry forums.
* Lead, coach, and develop ITS teams, fostering an ethical, accountable, high-performance culture with clear operational and financial transparency.
Ideal Candidate
* Experience in a similar role within the highways industry, ideally on the Strategic Road Network, or related electrical, construction or rail environments with strong understanding of regulatory, safety and commercial requirements.
* Strong working knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts, supported by excellent financial acumen and experience in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, risk management and financial reporting.
* Confident communicator at all levels, capable of influencing clients, stakeholders, suppliers and teams while balancing commercial objectives with social value and sustainability goals.
* Resilient, self-motivated, adaptable, able to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment, exhibiting strong leadership, coaching and mentorship skills.
* Excellent attention to detail, good IT skills and ability to produce clear, accurate reporting and manage information across systems.
* Committed to professional development and motivated by career progression within a growing, forward-thinking organisation.
Package Description
* Market-competitive salary and benefits package (dependent on experience)
* Colas Pension Scheme combined contributions up to 10%
* Life Assurance Scheme providing up to 4 times basic salary
* 25 days annual leave per year plus Public Holidays
* Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
* Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
* Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
* Ongoing personal and professional development
* Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and more through our online employee benefits portal
EEO Statement
Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
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