Contracts Manager - Water Infrastructure (Freelance)
Location: Tipton and/or Walsall offices, with travel across the Severn Trent region
Contract Type: Freelance / Contract
Rate: £500+ per day
Duration: Minimum 12 months with strong extension potential throughout AMP8
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Payment: Ltd Company accepted
Additional Benefits: Mileage/business travel costs subsidised
The Opportunity
We are working with a leading specialist infrastructure, water and civil engineering contractor delivering a significant programme of works across the Severn Trent Water AMP8 framework. The business has an established reputation for delivering complex water, wastewater, pipeline, drainage, trenchless technology, rehabilitation, maintenance and environmental projects throughout the UK.
Due to a substantial secured workload and continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead the successful delivery of a portfolio of AMP8 projects across the Midlands region.
The Role
This is a senior operational leadership position with responsibility for a diverse portfolio of water infrastructure projects ranging from £500k to £10 million.
You will provide strategic and operational oversight across multiple live schemes while managing a team of experienced Project Managers, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, profitably and in line with client expectations.
Projects are likely to include:
- Clean water and wastewater infrastructure schemes.
- Pipeline installation, repair, rehabilitation and renewal works.
- Drainage and sewer network improvement projects.
- Trenchless technology and no-dig solutions.
- Civil engineering and asset maintenance programmes.
- Environmental and watercourse-related infrastructure works.
- Regulatory and capital delivery projects for Severn Trent Water.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of multiple projects across the Severn Trent Water AMP8 framework.
- Manage, mentor and support a team of Project Managers and operational teams.
- Ensure schemes are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
- Monitor project performance, risk and programme delivery.
- Drive commercial performance and maximise contract profitability.
- Maintain strong relationships with Severn Trent Water and key stakeholders.
- Support planning, resource management and framework governance.
- Ensure compliance with NEC contract requirements and company procedures.
- Promote best practice in Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental performance.
About You
To be considered, you will ideally possess:
- Proven experience as a Contracts Manager within the water, utilities or civil engineering sectors.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent projects and delivery teams.
- Previous responsibility for overseeing Project Managers.
- Strong commercial and contractual understanding, ideally under NEC contracts.
- Demonstrable experience delivering infrastructure schemes valued between £500k and £10m+.
- Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing capabilities.
- A proactive leadership style with the ability to drive performance across a portfolio of projects.
Highly Desirable
- Previous experience working with Severn Trent Water.
- AMP7 or AMP8 framework experience.
- Background in pipelines, water infrastructure, drainage, wastewater or utility frameworks.
What's On Offer?
✅ £500+ per day (DOE)
✅ Outside IR35 engagement
✅ Ltd Company payments available
✅ Minimum 12-month contract with a strong future workload pipeline
✅ Office base in Tipton and/or Walsall
✅ Mileage subsidised for business travel
✅ Opportunity to play a key role in a major AMP8 framework programme
✅ Join a recognised industry leader delivering specialist water, wastewater, pipeline, drainage and trenchless infrastructure projects throughout the UK
