Contracts Manager Ascent Homes

ADVANCE NORTHUMBERLAND

Who we are:  

Advance Northumberland is a diverse property investment & development business, delivering opportunities to improve prosperity, tackle inequalities and drive economic growth in support of Northumberland County Council.

Whether its support for new and developing businesses, the remediation of challenging brownfield sites, building of large-scale manufacturing units, delivering new purpose-built offices, delivery of major town centre redevelopments, including complex retail developments, leisure facilities or the delivery of high-quality market sale and affordable housing it can all be found in this unique regeneration company.

We work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners, delivering positive physical and economic development.  Focusing on the needs and aspirations of the county, addressing economic, housing and infrastructure challenges whilst capitalising on Northumberland’s significant assets and opportunities. We deliver a comprehensive regeneration capability to improve the County’s economic prosperity, regenerate communities, improve liveability and create a more connected and aspirational County.

In doing so, we will support a broader county-wide assets-based approach to promote economic growth and an improved quality of life for its communities. Building on the opportunities emerging from North of the Tyne and Borderlands initiatives to enhance its regeneration impact, taking its lead from Northumberland County Council, and working in collaboration with key partners.

Our Ascent Homes team, build homes for sale and work in partnership with other organisations to build homes on their behalf, including the Advance Northumberland Homes Team. We have several live sites with more opening this year and therefore are seeking to enhance our Contracts Management team.

OUR VALUES

 Our values are at the centre of our activities, linking to our vision to make Northumberland a wonderful place for people to live work and do business.

· Dedication – passionate and tenacious about delivering for Northumberland.

· Honesty – working to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

· Collaboration – deliver in partnership with Northumberland County Council and organisations across the public and private sectors

THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR US

We care about our colleagues and their wellbeing and have been nationally recognised for this. Apart from the competitive salary, we also have fantastic benefits. We focus on our colleague’s health, wealth, and lifestyle. We like to think our benefits package is one of the best around! Here is an example below on what you can expect.

Annual leave - Start with 26 days, increasing to 31 days with service. Of course, you’ll have public holidays too!

Pension - Generous employer contributions of 8%. You pay 2%, although you can choose to pay more if you want.

Financial Benefits - Enjoy the security of free life assurance, an employee referral scheme (earning £1,000 per recruited referral), and our Cash plan App with discounts and cashback at top retailers. Free on-site parking at all locations.

Wellbeing & Lifestyle Services - Access our colleague assistance programme with 24/7 support, GP services, mental health support and, dental and optical plus a range of other health therapies. We also have a cycle to work scheme and home electronics schemes, both of which are salary exchange, so you pay less National Insurance. We have extensive health campaigns from our award-winning Better Health at work team.

Motoring Benefits - Take advantage of exclusive employee vehicle-leasing schemes, through NHS Fleet.

THE ROLE

Contracts Manager

Salary - competitive

Role Purpose:

To manage and co-ordinate the delivery of a successful and profitable construction services business unit, running projects from inception to contractual handover, line managing directly employed staff and sub-contract trades and labour, monitoring performance against targets and reporting as required to the Head of Construction and taking full P&L responsibility for the business unit.

To apply:

Please send a letter of application saying why you want to work for us and what you’d bring to the role, together with the completed application form included in this pack. Please send these to: workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

For an informal discussion, please contact: Neill Findlay, Head of Construction on 07927 584360

Closing date for applications – 28th April 2025 at 10.00am

Interviews will be held on – 8th May 2025

We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

If you wish to withdraw your consent for us to process your application, please email us at: workforus@advancenorthumberland.co.uk 

Job Description and Person Specification

Job title: Contracts Manager

Reports to: Head of Construction

Duties and Responsibilities:

· To programme the construction team’s weekly to six months activity. Liaising closely with the Head of Construction and Director of Development

· To successfully deliver new build and refurbishment construction projects on time and to budget.

· Develop a close working partnership with the Quantity Surveyor and commercial management team to enable accurate reporting on the current and projected financial status of schemes as well as identifying any contractual or commercial risks

· To ensure adherence to and monitor health and safety procedures and documentation on site in compliance with current health and safety policy and legislation.

· Effective liaison with Head Office departments, Subcontract suppliers and external Clients including attending and chairing meetings

· To develop programmes in conjunction with the Head of Construction and to report back on a weekly basis on progress

· To ensure Method Statements / Risk Assessments have been vetted for each appointed sub-contractor and ensure construction phase plan for the development is in place and is being kept updated to ensure compliance with the with CDM Regulations in line with Ascent policies and commitments

· Ensure all snagging and post entry snagging is completed on time and that Ascent Homes customer care department are kept updated on a weekly basis

· Prepare cost phase plans for each development.

· To foster and encourage equality of opportunity and adhere to data protection requirements.

Generic Requirements for all colleagues

Contribute to the creation of a positive culture in line with Advance Northumberland values

Show commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace and ensure this is reflected in all activities

Ensure a safe and sustainable working environment is promoted across the business

Contribute to the financial performance of the business, in line with role responsibilities

Undertake other reasonable duties as requested

Personal Specification / Essential Criteria

You must have:

· Relevant degree/HNC/HND in Construction or significant industry experience.

· Experienced Construction Manager – working to tight timeframes on multiple projects simultaneously.

· Track record of successful delivery of construction project valued up to £1 million in the private / commercial sector.

· Experience of running a construction business delivering similar size projects and activities with full responsibility for line management and profit & loss.

· Wide range of sector experience including commercial projects.

· Significant experience of NHBC standards and compliance requirements

· Full UK Driving licence

It would be good but not essential if you also have:

· Experience of using COINS