Contracts manager
Take charge of contracts and negotiate the deals that keep projects on track.
Also known as: contract manager, contracts coordinator
About the job
What it's like
Are you searching for a senior role where you can make the most of your attention to detail? As a contracts manager, you'll negotiate, review and monitor contracts on behalf of your organisation.
A contract is an agreement between two groups that outlines the specific terms of a project or piece of work. Contractors are workers or businesses who are hired to deliver products or services under the terms of a contract.
Contracts managers take responsibility for contracts across different projects or areas of work within an organisation. You’ll secure successful agreements that deliver value for money while minimising risk.
As an example, let’s say you’re a contracts manager for a construction company. One day, you might travel to a housing site to review a contractor’s performance and progress. The next day, you could meet with a local council partner to discuss a maintenance deal for the new houses. You’ll also negotiate with suppliers and amending existing contracts if needed.
Contracts managers are found across many industries. Some people build a career in procurement or contracts-based roles then progress into management. Other people become a contracts manager after developing expertise in an area such as construction, engineering or the public sector.
Your tasks might include:
creating, reviewing and negotiating contracts with clients, suppliers or subcontractors
monitoring project budgets so you can maximise profits and prepare for any extra costs
acting as a link between different project teams to make sure contracts are being delivered as promised
resolving contract disputes and working with project teams to solve problems before they escalate
managing health and safety regulations, building controls and environmental standards
updating senior stakeholders about progress, targets and risks
Green job
In this job, you could do work that helps the environment. For example, you might:
write environmental requirements into contracts, such as targets for reducing waste or carbon emissions
manage contracts for renewable energy projects, like offshore wind farms
select sustainable suppliers by studying their environmental credentials and policies
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Daniel Owen Recruitment – read this blog to learn more about what a contracts manager does
Floorspan Contracts (YouTube video) – follow contracts manager Matt through a typical day at work
Knowledge Train – take a free quiz, see which project management roles suit you and get emailed a personalised career guide
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Energy -
Engineering and manufacturing -
Construction and built environment -
Transport
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- managing resources
- analysing
- time management
- attention to detail
- cooperating
- negotiating
- problem solving
- developing a plan
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Business Management
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Engineering Science
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Physics
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Design and Manufacture
There are a few ways you can become a contracts manager.
This is classed as a senior role within most industries. In construction, for example, people usually build experience as a site engineer or quantity surveyor then progress into contracts management.
Across other industries, people often work in these roles before becoming a contracts manager:
project coordinator or project manager
commercial or project engineer
procurement officer
commercial officer
account manager or client relationship manager
contract officer or contract specialist
estimator
legal assistant or paralegal
supply chain or operations roles
You should study college or university courses relevant to the industry you want to build your career in.
Let’s explore some of the ways you can get qualified.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job.
To work in the construction, engineering, commercial or business sectors, you could study subjects such as:
Construction Management
Quantity Surveying
Civil Engineering
Building Surveying
Structural Engineering
Project Management
Commercial Management
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Business Management
Business and Law
Law
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
Finance or Accounting
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job or progress to more advanced study.
To work in the construction, engineering, commercial or business sectors, you could study subjects such as:
Construction Management
Civil Engineering
Quantity Surveying
Building Surveying
Architectural Technology
Built Environment
Construction and the Built Environment
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Business
Legal Services
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Construction Professional
Construction Technical Apprenticeship
Construction: Civil Engineering
Project Management Technical
Discover MAs on Apprenticeships.scot.
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job but will also go to university. You'll have a job, get paid and work towards a degree qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in Construction and the Built Environment.
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build useful skills and experience. For example, managing contracts and agreements for a charity, sports club or community group will look great on your CV. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You should be comfortable working with IT software. Most organisations use contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems and digital procurement platforms.
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