Contracts Manager

About Sisk Group

Sisk Group is a family-owned international construction and engineering company that shapes the built environment across Ireland, the UK, and Europe. With activities spanning building, infrastructure, rail, energy, and off-site manufacturing, the company fosters meaningful career growth, impact, and positive change among its employees.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Contracts Manager to oversee an exciting engineering project in Cork City. This leadership position holds primary accountability for the successful completion, quality assurance, safety adherence, and financial performance of the project. The Contracts Manager will ensure complete coordination of contract elements while surpassing client expectations and upholding Sisk’s highest standards on health, safety, environment, quality, and sustainability (HSEQS).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction efforts by preparing project programs, method statements, and contract documents, collaborating with the Estimating team to develop the contract timeline during tender stages.
• Manage major preliminary expenditures involving plant, accommodation, and temporary works in coordination with Quantity Surveyors.
• Chair project initiation and production meetings; assist resource planning with the Regional Director.
• Oversee subcontractor scheduling, notify statutory bodies of site start, draft preliminary logistics and temporary works registers incorporating early health and safety planning, and contribute to Design Team Progress Meetings.
• Direct project team functions including execution planning, risk management, commercial control, HSEQS compliance, stakeholder engagement, design oversight, document management, and project close-out activities.
• Ensure project teams and supply chain maintain necessary competencies to comply with HSEQS standards.
• Coordinate design inputs from consultants and subcontractors, including BIM where applicable.
• Implement the Project Execution Plan focusing on health, safety, and quality compliance.
• Regularly monitor progress, liaise with site teams and subcontractors, review buildability, protect contractual positions through timely communication/documentation, and maintain site professionalism representing Sisk positively.
• Manage all information flow, document control, scheduling, accurate Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs), and monthly reporting aiming for timely Practical Completion and issue resolution.
• Lead subcontractor selection, conduct progress and performance meetings, oversee procurement and site productivity, and approve expenditures and appointments alongside the QS and Site Manager.
• Lead defect management to completion and obtain Certificate of Making Good Defects.
• Support QS in claims for loss and expense and finalize project accounts.
• Oversee commissioning, client handover, and aftercare procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement and integrate lessons learned into future projects.
• Conduct performance and development reviews (PDPs) with direct reports and aid implementation of development plans.

Candidate Requirements

• At least five years of civil engineering project management experience with multiple successful sector-spanning project deliveries.
• Strong technical understanding of civil engineering principles and construction methodologies, alongside expertise in financial, risk, and commercial management.
• Familiarity with NEC3 and JCT Design & Build contracts, plus sustainability assessment standards such as BREEAM, LEED, or CEEQUAL.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, people management experience, conflict resolution capabilities, and excellent stakeholder communication.
• Analytical, methodical approach with keen commercial insight.

Essential Certifications and Knowledge

• A professional qualification in a construction-related discipline, ideally chartered.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent health and safety certification.
• Training as Temporary Works Coordinator and Excavation Safety.
• Knowledge of permit requirements for live energy works.
• Competence in Working at Heights, Scaffolding, and Lifting & Cranage operations.
• Understanding of Behavioural Safety, Root Cause Analysis, and PSCS/CDM regulations.

Desirable Skills and Experience

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

Benefits Package

• Competitive remuneration.
• 26 days of annual leave.
• Participation in pension scheme.
• Comprehensive health, wellbeing, and lifestyle support programs.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Inclusive rewards as part of our Total Rewards program.

Recruitment and Inclusion Commitment

Our recruitment is managed internally with no involvement of unsolicited agencies. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to accessibility and inclusivity, welcoming applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, or other protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments for candidates are provided during the recruitment process. We encourage all interested candidates to apply, even if they don't meet every criterion, focusing on potential and capabilities to contribute.

Compliance and Transparency

Recruitment materials comply with Irish and UK Equality Acts and the EU Pay Transparency Directive to ensure fair, transparent, and equal access for all applicants.