A unique Contracts Manager role, sitting within Operations with a key role in overseeing the day-to-day operational delivery across multiple Substation Projects and Maintenance frameworks. This role is responsible for ensuring that all operational activities are executed efficiently, safely, and in line with programme, cost, and quality expectations. The Contracts Manager will manage Project Managers and project teams, liaise with clients, Subcontractors and internal departments to drive performance, ensure compliance, and support the strategic growth of the business.
Lead Operational Delivery: Manage and coordinate the operational delivery of projects across the business, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget. Oversee programme performance, monitor project schedules, resolve delays and issues, support budget management and cost control, and provide regular operational performance, risk, and opportunity reports to the Profit Centre Head.
Resource, Team & Client Management: Oversee the effective allocation and utilisation of labour, plant, and materials to maximise operational efficiency. Lead and support Site Managers, Supervisors, and delivery teams to maintain high performance and accountability, foster strong client relationships as the key point of contact during project delivery, ensure client expectations are met and issues are resolved promptly, and maintain high levels of client satisfaction.
Compliance, Safety & Continuous Improvement: Ensure full compliance with company processes, procedures, health and safety legislation, and industry standards while promoting a strong safety culture. Drive operational efficiency through effective planning, coordination, and resource management, and identify and implement improvements to operational processes, systems, and team performance.
Key Accountabilities & Targets: Deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget; maintain a high-performing operations team; ensure full compliance with company policies, procedures, and industry standards; drive operational efficiency; achieve 95% programme adherence, maintain operational costs within 5% of budget, achieve zero reportable incidents, maintain 90%+ client satisfaction, and implement at least three operational improvements annually.
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Extensive experience in operations or project management within the engineering, construction or utilities industry.
- Proven track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams and delivering complex projects.
- Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in project and operations management tools and software.
- In-depth knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations.
- Relevant qualifications in construction, engineering, or operations management (e.g., NVQ Level 6, SMSTS, IOSH/NEBOSH
At OCU Group, we don’t just deliver infrastructure - we help power modern life.
As one of the UK’s fastest-growing utility and infrastructure businesses, we deliver complex, nationally critical projects across power, energy transition, water, telecoms, and digital infrastructure. Over the last five years, OCU has grown five-fold to a £1.1bn organisation, expanding both organically and through strategic acquisitions across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and India.
Our growth is driven by ambitious people, operational excellence, and a commitment to doing things properly. We work on projects that genuinely matter by supporting the UK’s energy transition, strengthening essential infrastructure, and helping build more sustainable communities for the future.
Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to take ownership of major projects and influence delivery at scale, or someone starting your career through an apprenticeship, graduate programme, or placement route, OCU offers real opportunity to grow, develop, and make an impact.
We are building a business where high performance, collaboration, innovation, and accountability sit at the centre of our culture. Our people are trusted to lead, encouraged to challenge thinking, and supported to continuously develop their skills and careers.
At OCU, you won’t just join a growing business, you’ll help shape it.
Our Culture & Values
At OCU, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We care about safety, lead with integrity, strive to be better every day, make a positive impact, and deliver to grow, together, as One Company United.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At OCU Group, we believe diversity, inclusion, and belonging are fundamental to building stronger teams, better ideas, and a more successful business. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
As part of our commitment to fairness and equality, candidates may be asked to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form during the recruitment process. This information is used for monitoring purposes only and plays no part in hiring decisions.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to offering interviews to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions who meet the essential criteria for the role.
To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing
[email protected].
