Contracts Manager. Introduction. Also known as. Work Activities. Personal Qualities and Skills

Transcription

1 Contracts Manager Introduction As a Contracts Manager, your job will be to oversee projects from start to finish, making sure that the work is completed on time and within budget. You will have particular responsibility for drafting, evaluating, negotiating and delivering business agreements with either clients, contractors or sub-contractors Also known as Commercial Contracts Manager Work Activities As a Contracts Manager, your job will be to oversee projects from start to finish, making sure that the work is completed on time and within budget. You will have particular responsibility for drafting, evaluating, negotiating and delivering business agreements with either clients, contractors or sub-contractors. Contract Managers are used in many different industries, including: construction building retail NHS universities You might be working directly for a client, identifying what work needs to be done and then getting in contact with people who might be able to do that work for you - contractors. It will then be up to you to work with the contractors negotiating a contract which includes fees to be paid, the work to be done, the timescale etc. Or you might be working for a contractor and negotiating with clients and sub-contractors. You priorities will still be to make sure that the work you have been contracted to carry-out, is completed within the agreed time and budget. You duties as a Contract Manager could also include: tender management quality control - make sure that work is being carried according to the expected standards carry out health and safety audits - making sure health and safety regulations are being correctly followed maintaining good, positive working relations with clients, contractors and sub-contractors chairing meetings between clients, contractors and sub-contractors Personal Qualities and Skills As a Contracts Manager you'll need: IT skills the ability to work to strict deadlines project management skills the ability to organise people to be aware of any legal requirements and legislation associated with your industry a driving licence - often you will be travelling around the country, working at different sites Personal skills - are you: CASCAID

2 creative? Do you enjoy using your imagination to overcome problems? a great communicator? Are you able to explain technical and complex ideas clearly, so that non-technical people can understand? a motivator? You might have responsibility for a team, and so the ability to motivate and encourage others will be an advantage. an organised person? You may need to co-ordinate several different tasks at the same time, and so you will need to be able to prioritise. a great team player? You will need to work carefully with other staff, in order to fully understand the process and devise the best system. If any of these personal skills sound like you, then why not think about becoming a Contracts Manager. Pay and Opportunities Pay As a Contracts Manager, you could earn in the range: Starting: 25,000-30,000 With experience: 40,000-60,000 High flyers: around 60,000+ Hours of work You will most likely work around hours a week, Monday to Friday. Occasional late finishes and weekend work may be required. Where could I work? Employers include employers in the following industries: construction retail NHS education Being a Contracts Manager can lead to you working anywhere in the world. Where are vacancies advertised? Vacancies are advertised on Worktrack, in local/national newspapers, trade industry publications, at Jobcentre Plus and on the Universal Jobmatch website. Entry Routes and Training Entry routes So, how do you become a Contracts Manager? Most employers will expect you to have an HNC/ HND or a degree before entering this career, however alternative routes are available. Choose your point of entry below: School Leaver CASCAID

3 It is very unlikely that you could get a job as a Contracts Manager without GCSEs However, you could consider getting a trainee position within the industry you intend to specialise in. You might be able to get onto an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship in a relevant engineering area, and work your way up. It'll be up to you to learn new skills, and to show that you can progress to more senior roles. Then, once you have gained relevant industry skills and experience, you might be able to apply for Contracts Manager positions. You will need to start to look for suitable job vacancies. If you are under 18 you will need to find a job that includes training, part-time study, or apply for an apprenticeship. GCSEs It is very unlikely that you could get a job as a Contracts Manager with just GCSEs. However, you could consider getting a lower level job and training within the industry you intend to specialise in. You might be able to get onto an Intermediate or Advanced Level Apprenticeship in a relevant engineering area, and work your way up. It'll be up to you to learn new skills, and to show that you can progress to more senior roles. Then, once you have gained relevant industry skills and experience, you might be able to apply for Contracts Manager positions. Or you could decide to stay on at college and study A levels? You will need to start to look for suitable job vacancies, or thinking about which A levels you might like to study. If you are under 18 you will need to find a job that includes training, part-time study, or apply for an apprenticeship A levels Normally, employers will expect you to have an HND, HNC or a degree in order to go straight into this career. However, if you are thinking about leaving school after finishing your A levels, you could consider getting a lower level job and training within the industry you intend to specialise in. you might be able to get onto a Higher Level or Degree Apprenticeship in a relevant area. Then, once you have gained relevant industry skills and experience, you might be able to apply for Contracts Manager positions. Or you could choose to go onto university, to study a relevant degree or HND, HNC (these are also available to study at Further Education Colleges). You will learn some of the skills, techniques and technologies, that employers need. You will need to start carefully planning which A levels you are going to study. Take a look at the Subjects section to see which A levels will help you to get onto a relevant HND,HNC or degree course, or help you get onto a Higher Level Apprenticeship. Then once you are studying for your A levels, you will need to start looking for suitable job vacancies, or applying to Further Education Colleges, or universities through UCAS. University Many employers require you to have an HND,HNC or a degree before you become an Contracts Manager. HNDs, HNCs and Degrees in relevant subjects are available at many universities. In order to get onto one of these courses, you will usually need at least two A levels. After completing your A levels, you might be able to get onto a Higher Level or Degree Apprenticeship in a relevant area. So now is a great time to start planning your route through to university. Take a look at the Subjects section to see a list of relevant A level and GCSE subjects, which can help you get onto the right university course. Qualifications To enter a relevant degree course, the usual requirements are: 2/3 A levels GCSEs in your A level subjects at grade C or above A further 2/3 GCSEs at grade C or above English, Maths and a science subject are usually required at GCSE at grade C or above. CASCAID

4 To get onto an Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Maths, or to have completed an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship. To get onto a Higher Level Apprenticeship, you will need at least two A Levels, or an Advanced Level Apprenticeship. To get onto a Degree Apprenticeship, you will usually need at least 2 A levels. Other qualifications, such as a relevant Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National or the International Baccalaureate Diploma are often accepted. Check prospectuses carefully. Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level. Adult Opportunities Age limits It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. Skills/experience Many people enter this career after gaining relevant skills, and perhaps qualifications, in their specialist industry. Experience is highly valued in this career. Further Information Contacts Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Website: Skills Development Scotland - Modern Apprenticeships Tel: info@skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk Website: Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships Tel: Website: ams.careerswales.com/ Related Careers Human Resources Manager Chartered Secretary Recruitment Consultant Ergonomist Health and Safety Inspector Safety Adviser Management Consultant Management Services Specialist Employee Relations Adviser Manager Project Manager Entrepreneur Business Analyst Service Delivery Manager SEO Manager Operations Manager BIM Manager Business Development Manager Supply Chain Manager CASCAID

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