Senior Contracts Manager - Civil Engineering Projects

About Sisk Group

Sisk Group is a family-owned international construction and engineering company dedicated to shaping how people live, work, and connect. Operating across building, infrastructure, rail, energy, and off-site manufacturing sectors throughout Ireland, the UK, and Europe, Sisk supports career growth and impactful work within a culture of positive change.

Role Overview

Based in Cork City, you will assume the role of on-site Contracts Manager responsible for leading projects to successful completion. Your primary duties include ensuring quality, safety, financial performance, and overall contract coordination to meet or surpass client expectations. Upholding Sisk's Health, Safety, Environment, Quality, and Sustainability (HSEQS) policies is essential while seeking opportunities to increase project value and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage preconstruction activities such as developing project programs, method statements, and contract submissions.
• Coordinate contract programming collaboratively, especially in conjunction with the Estimating team during tenders.
• Guide Quantity Surveyors regarding major preliminary expenses including plant, accommodation, and temporary works.
• Lead project kick-offs and production meetings; assist resource allocation with Regional Director.
• Oversee subcontract scheduling, notify statutes and stakeholders of site starts, prepare logistics and temporary works documentation incorporating health and safety considerations; participate in design team progress meetings offering updates and technical input.
• Direct all project team functions encompassing Project Execution Planning, risk control, commercial oversight, HSEQS compliance, stakeholder engagement, design management, administration, and project closeout.
• Ensure competency levels across the project team and supply chain meet HSEQS standards.
• Coordinate design delivery by consultants and subcontractors per contract requirements including BIM processes when applicable.
• Implement and uphold the Project Execution Plan focusing on health, safety, and quality.
• Monitor construction progress, collaborate with subcontractors and site teams, recommend constructability improvements, safeguard contractual rights via timely correspondence and documentation, and maintain professional site appearance.
• Manage information dissemination, document control, schedules, accurate CVRs, monthly reporting, and drive timely practical completion while addressing issues proactively.
• Oversee subcontractor selection, performance meetings, pre-order discussions, and monitor work quality and site productivity to meet milestones.
• Supervise Quantity Surveyor and Site Manager activities, approve expenditures, subcontracts, and manage financial controls within delegated authority.
• Lead post-construction activities including defect management, ensuring certificates are secured.
• Assist QS with loss and expense claims and final account preparation.
• Manage final commissioning, handover to client, and post-handover care.
• Promote continuous improvement by embedding lessons learned into future deliveries.
• Conduct performance and development reviews with direct reports, supporting agreed development plans.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5 years of project management experience in civil engineering, with a track record of successfully delivering multiple projects across different sectors.
• Strong technical knowledge of civil engineering principles, construction methods, and expertise in managing project finances, risk, and commercial outcomes.
• Familiarity with NEC3 and JCT Design & Build contract forms, and relevant sustainability frameworks such as BREEAM, LEED, or CEEQUAL.
• Proven leadership skills, effective people management, conflict resolution, and excellent stakeholder communication abilities.
• Analytical and methodical with strong commercial awareness.
• Professional qualification in a construction-related discipline (degree or equivalent), preferably chartered.
• IOSH Managing Safely certification or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• Training in Temporary Works Coordination and Excavation Safety.
• Knowledge of permitting for live energy operations.
• Competence in Working at Heights, Scaffolding, and Lifting & Cranage operations.
• Familiarity with Behavioural Safety practices, Root Cause Analysis, and PSCS/CDM regulations.

Desirable Competencies

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

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• 26 days of annual leave.
• Pension scheme participation.
• Comprehensive health, wellbeing, and lifestyle support programs.
• Opportunities for career advancement and development.
• Additional benefits encompassed in the company's Total Rewards program.

Company Commitment and Values

Sisk prioritizes its employees by offering purposeful work, limitless career growth, and a collaborative support system. The company is an equal opportunity employer welcoming diverse applications regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, family status, or other protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments are provided during recruitment processes to support candidates. Sisk is committed to fairness, transparency, and compliance with all relevant equality and pay transparency laws.

Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they don't meet every requirement, emphasizing skills, experience, and potential.