Contracts Director – Mechanical Services

The Client

A Company Background

My client is a specialist mechanical and electrical contractor based in Manchester.

For 15 years, the company has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality building services solutions across a wide range of sectors.

They operate across multiple market sectors, including retail, warehousing, commercial office developments, education, hospitality and healthcare.

Providing a complete service from initial concept and design through to installation, commissioning, and completion, offering tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of each project.

Their approach is built on understanding their clients’ requirements and delivering the most effective technical solution while maintaining full commercial awareness.

They focus on achieving the optimum balance between performance, sustainability and cost, ensuring that each solution delivers long-term value.

With a steady growth, they operate with a group turnover in excess of £25 million, supported by an experienced management team and skilled delivery workforce.

My Client pride ourselves on building long-term relationships with clients, main contractors, consultants, and supply chain partners. This collaborative approach enables repeat business, consistent performance and successful project outcomes across all sectors in which they operate.

Role Overview

The Contracts Director is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all mechanical contracts, ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably, on programme and to the highest quality standards. The role provides senior oversight across contract management, commercial performance, client relationships and operational delivery within the mechanical business.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Leadership

Provide senior leadership across all mechanical contracts and project delivery teams

Contribute to overall business strategy, growth planning and continuous operational improvement

Assist with bid / don’t bid decisions

Mentor, support, and develop, Project Managers, site managers and commercial staff

Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety, quality, professionalism and accountability

Assist with recruitment

Contract & Project Management

Assist review designs, supplier / sub-contractor selections

Assist with validations, tech-subs and final as fitted / O&M information

Oversee multiple mechanical projects from pre-construction handover through to completion

Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with contractual, legal, and company requirements

Review, negotiate, and manage contract terms, variations and final accounts

Monitor programme performance and implement corrective actions where required

Audit sites and report back on findings – H&S, quality, labour levels, issues to resolve, etc.

Commercial & Financial Control

Maintain overall responsibility for contract profitability and effective cost control

Review and challenge project budgets, forecasts, valuations and cash flow

Ensure robust change management processes and timely commercial reporting

Work closely with commercial teams to manage risk and maximise project returns

Assist with credit control / debt recovery

Client & Stakeholder Management

Act as a senior point of contact for key clients, consultants, supply chain partners and main contractors

Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships to support repeat business

Manage escalations, disputes, and high-level negotiations in a professional and commercial manner

Health, Safety, Quality & Compliance

Ensure compliance with all legislation / standards and company policies

Drive high standards of quality, commissioning, and project handover documentation

Ensure all works comply with regulatory requirements

Skills & Experience Required

Proven experience in a senior contracts or operations role within a Mechanical, HVAC or M&E contracting environment

Strong technical understanding of mechanical building services

Excellent commercial and contractual knowledge, with experience of JCT and NEC forms of contract

Demonstrated ability to manage and oversee multiple high-value projects concurrently

Strong leadership, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage teams and stakeholders effectively

Financially astute, with proven experience in cost control, forecasting and commercial reporting

Qualifications (Desirable)

Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering / Building Services, or a related discipline

Professional membership such as CIBSE or IMechE

SMSTS

CSCS (Management level)

First Aid certification

Asbestos Awareness

Experience

Minimum of 5 years’ experience working within the mechanical or M&E contracting industry

Proven track record of successfully delivering mechanical projects from pre-construction through to completion

Capable of undertaking the role of Project Manager as required.

Personal Attributes

Strategic thinker with a hands-on, solution focused approach

Results-driven and commercially focused

Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills

Able to lead under pressure and manage complex stakeholder environments