Special Projects Contract Manager- Building Safety & Compliance

Special Projects Contract Manager (Building Safety & Compliance)

Location: London

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2 days per week in the office

Rate: £450-£500 per day Inside IR35

Role Overview

A large London local authority is seeking an experienced Special Projects Contract Manager to join its Housing, Building Safety & Compliance function.

This is a specialist contract management role focused on the delivery of high-risk, safety-critical works across a large residential property portfolio. The successful candidate will oversee contracts relating to external wall systems, fire safety and investigative works, ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly, within budget and to agreed performance standards.

The role requires a strong Contracts Manager with proven experience procuring and managing contracts within a social housing environment, ideally including fire safety and building safety contracts.

Key Responsibilities

Contract & Project Management

Manage safety-critical contracts delivering investigative and exploratory works across a significant residential portfolio

Oversee surveys, inspections and technical investigations relating to external wall systems and building safety

Manage the delivery of Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs), including assessments aligned with PAS 9980

Coordinate spandrel panel investigations, render and façade assessments and Fire Risk Assessments

Monitor contractors against agreed KPIs, specifications, programme milestones, quality standards and contractual obligations

Ensure works are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance and internal governance requirements

Identify delivery risks and take appropriate action to mitigate delays, performance issues and compliance concerns

Procurement & Commercial Management

Lead end-to-end procurement exercises for new building safety and exploratory works contracts

Develop procurement documentation, specifications, scopes of work and internal approval reports

Manage tendering, evaluation, contract award and mobilisation processes

Administer existing contracts and ensure suppliers deliver against agreed contractual requirements

Drive value for money while maintaining appropriate quality and safety standards

Maintain strong commercial oversight across contract delivery

Performance & Budget Management

Lead contractor performance management across quality, cost, programme and service delivery

Manage budgets associated with investigative, enabling and building safety works

Monitor expenditure, forecasting and financial commitments

Identify financial risks and implement appropriate controls

Produce clear financial and performance reporting for internal stakeholders

Legal & Risk Management

Work closely with legal teams where defects or contractual failures may result in claims against contractors or developers

Support the preparation of technical and contractual evidence for potential legal proceedings

Manage contractual disputes and ensure issues are escalated and resolved appropriately

Maintain clear audit trails and contract documentation to support governance and legal requirements

Funding & Compliance

Support and lead applications to relevant remediation funding programmes, including the Cladding Safety Scheme

Ensure compliance with funding conditions and reporting requirements

Coordinate technical evidence and documentation required to support funding applications

Maintain awareness of relevant building safety, fire safety and remediation requirements

Stakeholder Engagement

Build effective relationships with contractors, consultants, legal teams, residents and internal stakeholders

Provide clear updates on project delivery, risks, financial position and key decisions

Work collaboratively with housing, building safety, procurement, finance and legal colleagues

Support briefings for senior leadership and elected members where required

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

Significant experience as a Contracts Manager within social housing, construction, property or building safety

Proven experience procuring contracts within a social housing environment

Strong experience managing contracts from procurement through mobilisation and delivery

Experience procuring and managing fire safety and/or building safety contracts

Strong knowledge of contractor performance management and commercial contract administration

Experience managing complex, high-risk programmes or projects across multiple properties

Strong understanding of fire safety, building safety and external wall systems

Knowledge of FRAEWs, PAS 9980, Fire Risk Assessments and façade investigations

Experience developing specifications, scopes of work and tender documentation

Strong budget management, forecasting and financial control skills

Experience managing contractual disputes, risks and performance issues

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Desirable Experience

Previous experience within local government or a large social housing provider

Knowledge of the Cladding Safety Scheme and Building Safety Fund

Experience supporting legal claims relating to defective construction or external wall systems

Experience working across large and complex residential property portfolios

Important Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Applicants should have demonstrable experience procuring and managing contracts within a social housing environment

Relevant fire safety and building safety contract management experience will be particularly important for this position

*Rates depend on experience and client requirements