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Construction contracts manager

Alternative titles for this job include

Construction contracts managers oversee the contractual and legal requirements of work on building projects.

Average salary (a year)

£30,000 Starter

to

£70,000 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

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 apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, such as:

  • Construction Management
  • Design and Construction Management
  • Project Controls Professional

These can take between 3 and 4 years to complete and involve on-site training with off-the-job study. 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

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Chartered Institute of Building for professional development opportunities and to make contacts in the industry.

Further information

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

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
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • the ability to work well with others
  • business management skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

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

As a construction contracts manager, you would:

  • draft plans and estimates for building work
  • prepare and present bid documents for tenders
  • tell teams, contractors and suppliers what to do
  • gather information for invoicing at the end of the project
  • supply information to settle contract disagreements
  • identify areas for improvement
  • manage budgets and timescales

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a construction contracts manager to be a green job, you could:

  • include sustainable materials when making plans for building work
  • provide training for your team on green construction methods
  • aim to achieve green building certificates for construction projects

Find out more about green careers

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
  • work as a consultant
  • become a company director
  • 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

Apprentice Development Manager (Degree Apprenticeship)

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sanke, Warrington

Construction Contracts Manager Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £15,704 to £25,396.80 a year Annually
  • Location: NENE VALLEY BUSINESS PARK, OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH

Courses In England

HNC Construction Management

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

HNC in Construction Management

  • Provider: MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Milton Keynes

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