Contracts Manager / Director Designate

Contracts Manager / Director Designate – Mechanical Building Services Location: Nottingham with UK travel Salary: £70-£85k + Company Vehicle/Car Allowance + Bonus + Pension F&E Recruitment is working with an ambitious and growing mechanical engineering contractor to recruit an experienced Contracts Manager / Director Designate. This is a rare opportunity offering a defined 18-month pathway to Director, making it ideal for an ambitious Contracts Manager, Senior Project Manager or Operations Manager looking to step into a board-level leadership role.

The Role

You'll lead the successful delivery of multiple commercial, industrial and healthcare mechanical projects while taking ownership of commercial performance, operational delivery and client relationships. As you develop in the role, you'll progress into full business leadership with responsibility for operational performance and strategic growth. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing multiple mechanical contracts valued between £250k–£5m+
• Leading Project Engineers, Site Managers, Supervisors and subcontractors
• Overseeing project delivery from award through to completion
• Managing commercial performance including CVRs, forecasting, variations and final accounts
• Building and maintaining key client relationships
• Driving operational excellence, mentoring teams and supporting business growth

About You

We're looking for a technically strong and commercially focused mechanical leader with:

• HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years' experience in mechanical building services or commercial mechanical contracting
• Previous experience as a Contracts Manager, Senior Project Manager or Operations Manager
• Strong knowledge of plant rooms, HVAC, heating systems, pipework and mechanical services
• Excellent commercial, leadership and client management skills Healthcare, energy centre, renewable or steam system experience would be advantageous but is not essential. Why Apply? This is far more than a Contracts Manager position. It's an opportunity to join a successful and growing engineering business with a genuine succession plan, giving you the chance to shape the future of the organisation while progressing into a Director role within approximately 18 months. If you're looking for greater responsibility, influence and a clear route into senior leadership, we'd love to hear from you. To apply or find out more, contact F&E Recruitment today for a confidential conversation