We are looking for an experienced Senior Construction Project Manager / Contracts Manager to join us on an initial six-month freelance assignment.
The successful candidate will initially take a leading role on a substantial residential refurbishment/completion project in Scarborough, while also providing project-management support across several other live construction projects.
This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can take ownership of delivery rather than simply supervise a site. You will act as the main operational link between our company, the client, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and site teams, ensuring programme, labour, materials, quality, communication and project administration remain under control.
Rate: £270 per day
Duration: Initial 6 months
Commitment: Approximately 4–4.5 days per week
Contract value: Circa £30,000 total assignment
Location: Scarborough initially, with travel to other company projects as required
Engagement: Freelance / consultancy basis. Intended to operate outside IR35 subject to appropriate status assessment, contractual terms and actual working practices.
Key responsibilities and requirements
- Take overall day-to-day responsibility for construction project delivery from mobilisation through completion and handover.
- Act as the principal operational contact between the client and our directors, maintaining clear and professional communication.
- Attend client, consultant and subcontractor meetings and issue clear actions/minutes where required.
- Maintain the master construction programme, short-term look-ahead programmes and weekly priorities.
- Ensure the Scarborough completion works are delivered within the agreed six-month programme.
- Plan labour requirements by trade and monitor whether operatives are achieving the required output.
- Coordinate carpenters, dryliners, plasterers, decorators, electricians, plumbers, flooring contractors, kitchen fitters, external-work contractors and specialist subcontractors.
- Identify when additional or reduced labour is required and move resources efficiently between projects.
- Maintain a live procurement schedule covering materials, subcontract packages, long-lead items, deposits and required-on-site dates.
- Ensure materials are ordered early enough to avoid programme delays.
- Control and monitor high-value and long-lead packages including windows and doors, lift works, fire/misting systems, smoke ventilation, heating/MEV equipment and utilities.
- Maintain accurate stock records and ensure existing client/company materials are used before unnecessary new purchases are made.
- Check quantities and specifications before significant materials are ordered.
- Work closely with the QS/commercial team to monitor package budgets, committed costs, additional works and variations.
- Identify potential variations immediately and ensure instructions are recorded in writing before works proceed wherever practicable.
- Provide sufficient site-progress information to support monthly applications for payment.
- Review drawings and specifications and ensure site operatives are working from the correct revisions.
- Raise RFIs and identify discrepancies between drawings, existing conditions and proposed works.
- Coordinate architectural, structural and M&E interfaces.
- Ensure fire stopping, fire boarding, service penetrations and other works are inspected before being concealed.
- Manage progressive snagging rather than leaving all defects until project completion.
- Coordinate Building Control inspections, specialist testing and consultant inspections.
- Ensure electrical, mechanical, fire, access-control, lift and other specialist installations are properly tested and commissioned.
- Coordinate O&M manuals, certificates, warranties, as-built information and handover documentation.
- Maintain site standards relating to access, protection, housekeeping, waste and security.
- Work with competent H&S support to maintain compliance with project and CDM requirements.
- Provide directors with a concise weekly report covering programme, labour, procurement, client issues, commercial risks, variations, quality and major decisions required.
- Be capable of independently managing more than one project and prioritising time appropriately across the company portfolio.
- Strong refurbishment and existing-building experience is highly desirable.
- Experience delivering residential/apartment schemes is highly desirable.
- Experience with complex completion or partially completed projects would be a significant advantage.
- Good understanding of structural alterations, internal fit-out and M&E coordination.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of labour cost, material cost, subcontract packages, variations and project margins.
- Confident dealing directly with clients, architects, engineers, Building Control, subcontractors and suppliers.
- Able to produce professional emails, meeting minutes, RFIs, progress reports and contractual correspondence.
- Strong working knowledge of Excel, Word, Outlook and construction programming software such as Microsoft Project or similar.
- Able to read architectural, structural and M&E drawings confidently.
- SMSTS required or strongly preferred.
- Appropriate CSCS management card preferred.
- First Aid qualification preferred.
- Temporary Works awareness/coordination experience advantageous.
- HNC/HND, construction-management degree, NVQ Level 6/7, CIOB or equivalent qualifications advantageous but practical delivery experience is more important.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between projects required.
- We are looking for someone proactive, organised and commercially aware who identifies problems before they affect the programme rather than simply reporting issues after they occur.
The person we are looking for
We need someone who is comfortable taking ownership.
For example, rather than waiting for a delayed delivery to become a programme problem, we expect the Project Manager to identify:
“The windows have a six-to-eight-week lead time, internal finishes depend on them, therefore the order and final measurements need resolving now.”
Likewise, they should be able to look several weeks ahead and determine what labour, materials, drawings, inspections and subcontractors will be required to release the next area of work.
This role would suit an experienced Project Manager, Senior Project Manager or Contracts Manager who has worked for a main contractor or established refurbishment contractor and is comfortable working independently.
Application
Please send:
CV / summary of relevant experience
Examples and values of projects personally managed
Current availability
Location
Confirmation of ability to travel to Scarborough and other UK projects
Two references where available
Rate: £270/day. Initial six-month assignment with potential for further project work for the right individual.
Pay: £4,000.00-£5,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
