Contracts Manager

About Us 

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education. 

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward. 

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to provide commercial, contractual and operational leadership across a portfolio of complex engineering projects within our Global Marine & Navy, Offshore and Oil & Gas business.

You will be responsible for driving project performance, protecting revenue, margin and cash flow, and ensuring successful project delivery from order acceptance through to commissioning and close-out. Acting as the senior escalation point for commercial and contractual matters, you will lead contract management, financial performance, customer relationships and project governance across the portfolio.

Working closely with Project Managers and cross-functional teams, you will support profitable project delivery, customer satisfaction and business growth, while driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

The role provides leadership across Project Management, Engineering, CAD and Document Control, while partnering with Finance, Procurement, Production, Logistics, Sales and Service teams.

What We Can Offer

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus incentive
• Single cover private medical insurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 7% matched pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee referral scheme
• High street discount programme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employee discounts on Johnson Controls products and services
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• Collaborative and inclusive culture
• Clear progression opportunities within a global business

Due to the nature of this position, applicants must already have the unrestricted legal right to live and work in the UK. Sponsorship or visa support is not available for this role.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Contract Management

• Lead contract administration across a portfolio of complex engineering projects.
• Manage contractual risk and protect the company's commercial position.
• Lead variation, change control and claims management activities.
• Manage delay claims, extensions of time, liquidated damages exposure, disputes and contractual correspondence.
• Support and lead customer and supplier negotiations, acting as an escalation point for complex commercial matters.

Financial Performance & Commercial Control

• Oversee project revenue, margin, cash flow, forecasting, budgeting and cost-to-complete activities.
• Drive accurate revenue forecasting and commercial reporting across the project portfolio.
• Ensure timely invoicing, debt recovery and resolution of disputed payments.
• Identify risks and opportunities and implement actions to improve project profitability.

Project Governance & Delivery

• Establish and maintain effective project governance, controls and review processes.
• Oversee project planning, risk management, resource allocation and delivery performance.
• Monitor project performance across scope, schedule, cost, quality and commercial metrics.
• Lead recovery plans for underperforming or high-risk projects.

Leadership & Operational Management

• Provide leadership, coaching and development to Project Management, Engineering, CAD and Document Control teams.
• Support Project Managers in delivering successful commercial and customer outcomes.
• Manage team performance, resource planning and capability development.
• Coordinate activity across Engineering, Finance, Procurement, Production, Logistics, Sales and Service functions to ensure successful project execution.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive standardisation of project controls, governance and commercial processes.
• Develop and implement tools, templates and best-practice frameworks.
• Promote the effective use of Microsoft 365, SharePoint, automation and AI-enabled working practices.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers and key stakeholders.
• Act as a senior escalation point for customer, commercial and contractual issues.
• Lead commercially balanced discussions relating to scope, schedule, claims and recovery.
• Support customer retention and long-term business growth.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Ensure compliance with company governance, quality standards and Health, Safety & Environmental requirements.
• Promote ethical business practices and robust project documentation.
• Ensure contractual and commercial records are maintained in line with company and regulatory requirements.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in Contracts Management, Commercial Management or Project Management within an engineering-led environment.
• Experience managing complex projects valued between £1m and £10m.
• Strong knowledge of contract administration, change control, claims management, delay analysis and commercial negotiation.
• Proven experience managing project budgets, forecasting, revenue, margin and cash flow.
• Experience leading complex projects and supporting commercial or operational recovery programmes.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and team development skills.
• Experience within customer-facing project delivery environments, ideally in Marine, Offshore, Oil & Gas or similar engineering sectors.
• Degree qualified in Business, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong communication, analytical and organisational skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 and project or financial control systems.

Desirable

• Advanced qualification in Business, Contract Management, Project Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP or PMI-RMP.
• Experience developing PMO, governance or project control functions.
• Experience of process improvement, automation and digital transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of SharePoint and AI-enabled ways of working.
• Experience working with international customers, suppliers and distributed teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a highly visible leadership role within a growing business. You'll have the opportunity to influence strategy, drive commercial performance, lead talented teams and work on complex projects supporting customers across the Global Marine & Navy, Offshore and Oil & Gas sectors, all while building your career with a global industry leader.

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