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Construction contracts manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Construction contracts managers look after building contracts and construction costs.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Construction contracts manager

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject about construction.

Subjects that include units on contract law are useful, for example:

  • civil or structural engineering
  • construction management
  • building studies
  • quantity surveying

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a degree apprenticeship in construction management or design and construction management. After you finish, you can specialise in contract work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to move into contract management after working as an administrator or contracts assistant at a construction company.

Experience and qualifications in quantity surveying or estimating could also be useful.

Direct Application

If you have project management or contract experience from another industry, like civil engineering, you could use this to apply for contract management jobs in construction.

More Information

Further information

You'll find more advice about working and training in contract management through:

  • Go Construct
  • The Chartered Institute of Building

    • What it takes

    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

    What it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need:

    • knowledge of building and construction
    • maths knowledge
    • design skills and knowledge
    • leadership skills
    • knowledge of engineering science and technology
    • business management skills
    • the ability to use your initiative
    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

    Restrictions and Requirements

    You'll need to:

    • have a full driving licence

    What you’ll do

    Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

    What you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In this job, you would:

    • draft plans and estimates for building work, including budgets and timescales
    • prepare and present documents for tender
    • plan what work needs doing
    • tell teams, contractors and suppliers what to do
    • gather information for invoicing at the end of the project
    • supply information to resolve contract disagreements
    • identify areas for improvement

    Working environment

    You could work at a client's business, on a construction site or in an office.

    Career path and progression

    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

    Career path and progression

    With experience, you could:

    • move into general construction management
    • become a consultant
    • become a company director
    • work in larger construction project management by completing a degree apprenticeship in project control
    • work in support services, like health and safety inspection
    • move into a related industry, such as civil engineering

    Current opportunities

    Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

    Current opportunities

    Apprenticeships In England

    Construction Site Manager Apprentice

    • Wage: Competitive Annually
    • Location: Cambridge
    Find apprenticeships near you

    Courses In England

    HNC Construction Management

    • Provider: NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
    • Start date: 15 September 2025
    • Location: Durham

    BSc (Hons) Construction Management

    • Provider: LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY
    • Start date: 01 September 2025
    • Location: Liverpool
    Find courses near you

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