Contracts Manager

Building Careers UK
Contracts Manager – Restaurant Refurbishment Projects

Location: London & the South East
Salary: 55,000 – 65,000 + car allowance + EOT
Type: Full-time, permanent

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to take ownership of a restaurant refurbishment programme across London and the South East, delivering between 12-20 full refurbishments per year, alongside smaller repair and maintenance works.

This is a challenging and rewarding role. The client operates with multiple designers, and every restaurant is unique. A joinery or carpentry background would be highly beneficial due to the bespoke nature of the fit-out works. You will be the key link between the client, designers, suppliers, subcontractors, and site teams-driving projects from concept to handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Meet with client Project Managers and Designers to scope projects from initial design presentations

• Plan and manage the annual programme of works, adapting to frequently changing start dates

• Price projects from drawings, manage budgets, and carry out value engineering where required

• Procure materials and manage suppliers across multiple counties, balancing cost, quality, and lead times

• Appoint, manage, and programme subcontractors, including cost control and scheduling

• Produce detailed construction programmes and comprehensive Health & Safety documentation

  • Projects are independently scored, with two random H&S inspections per site

• Resource and manage site labour, supporting the development of a new workforce

• Run projects from start to completion, dealing confidently with designers and offering solutions rather than problems

• Prepare and agree final accounts, including variations and subcontractor payments

• Build and maintain a strong working relationship with the client team, recognising that performance is judged on the last project delivered

• Work effectively under pressure to resolve issues quickly and professionally

• Pre-snag completed restaurants and deliver a clean, fully trade-ready site at handover

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Contracts Manager within restaurant, retail, or fast-track refurbishment projects

• Joinery or carpentry background strongly preferred, with a good understanding of bespoke fit-out works

• Strong commercial and pricing experience, including working from drawings

• Excellent organisational and programme management skills

• Confident communicator, able to manage clients, designers, suppliers, and subcontractors

• Solid understanding of Health & Safety requirements in a live operational environment

• Practical, solution-focused mindset with the ability to work calmly under pressure

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: 55,000 – 65,000

• Car allowance

• Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) benefits

• Long-term, repeat-work client relationship

• A challenging role with real responsibility and autonomy

Apply: Ready to bring your expertise to the team? Apply today!

Contact Daniel Addison on (phone number removed) or apply with your CV to (url removed)

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Please Note: Due to high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.