Contracts Manager

Newly created Contracts Manager role created for some to step into a growing, multi-disciplinary construction business, taking ownership of significant projects and helping shape the way they are delivered.

With an established reputation across specialist construction services, the business is expanding its capability to deliver larger projects across New Zealand and the wider Pacific.

To support this growth they are now looking for a commercially astute, delivery-focused Contracts Manager who can take projects from handover through to completion, while helping build the systems, processes and project management capability needed.

The opportunity

As the Contracts Manager, you will take end-to-end responsibility for designated projects, overseeing delivery, commercial performance, programme, risk and client relationships.

You'll have the autonomy to make decisions, lead multidisciplinary project teams and work closely with senior leadership, rather than getting caught up in layers of corporate bureaucracy.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of projects from post-award handover through mobilisation, delivery, practical completion and final commercial close-out.
• Driving project financial performance, including margins, forecasting, cash flow, variations and claims.
• Leading project managers, quantity surveyors, site teams, subcontractors and suppliers to deliver safe, high-quality outcomes.
• Managing construction programmes, procurement, contractual obligations and project risks.
• Building strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders, resolving issues proactively and protecting commercial outcomes.
• Developing project controls, processes and delivery capability to support larger, more complex projects in the future.
• Feeding practical delivery insights back into estimating and tendering to continually improve project performance.

The culture

This is a business with a genuine village feel. It's a more personal, hands-on environment than you might find in a large tier-one contractor, with significantly less hierarchy and more direct access to decision-makers.

You'll be trusted to take ownership, encouraged to contribute ideas and able to see the impact of your work. Rather than being another name in a large corporate structure, you'll be a key part of the business's continued growth.

For someone who enjoys accountability, collaboration and having a real voice in how things operate, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

We are looking for:

You'll bring strong contractor-side construction experience, with a track record of delivering complex projects and taking ownership of both operational and commercial outcomes.

Ideally, you'll have:

• Experience across civil, concrete, structures or multidisciplinary construction projects.
• Strong commercial acumen, including project forecasting, cost control, claims, variations and contract administration.
• A solid understanding of construction programming, procurement and subcontractor management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating operational and commercial stakeholders.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to make decisions and manage risk.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build lasting relationships with clients, subcontractors and internal teams.

Main contractor delivery experience, along with exposure to regional, remote or Pacific projects, would be advantageous.
  
Why consider this role?

• A newly created position with the opportunity to shape how projects are delivered.
• Genuine ownership of project delivery, commercial performance and outcomes.
• Direct access to senior leadership and less corporate hierarchy.
• A collaborative, family-oriented culture where people support one another.
• The chance to help build capability as the business moves into larger and more complex projects.
• A permanent Auckland-based opportunity offering scope to make a lasting impact.

For more information contact tom@alexanderjames.co.nz