Highways Contract Manager

Highways Contract Manager (NEC4) – 6-Month Contract Location: Oxfordshire (2–3 days per week in the office, Tuesdays mandatory, other days subject to business needs) Rate: £65 per hour (Umbrella) Contract: 6 Months (Potential Extension) We are seeking an experienced Highways Contract Manager to join on an initial 6-month contract. This is a senior opportunity to take responsibility for the NEC Service Manager function across major highways maintenance contracts valued between £30m–£50m per annum. This role is ideal for a highways professional with strong NEC4 contract management experience who can drive performance, value for money, and continuous improvement while working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external contractors. Key Responsibilities • Act as the delegated NEC Service Manager for Highways Maintenance contracts. • Oversee the delivery and performance of highways contracts, ensuring compliance with NEC4 contract requirements. • Manage contract performance, service delivery, payment mechanisms, and contract extensions. • Ensure contracts deliver value for money while balancing commercial and operational risk. • Monitor contractor performance against agreed KPIs and service standards. • Work closely with the Head of Highway Maintenance and Operational Managers to improve contract delivery and business processes. • Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiencies, and cost savings across the service. • Support continuous improvement initiatives across the Highways Operations team. • Manage budgets effectively and ensure financial targets are achieved. • Build strong relationships with contractors, senior stakeholders, elected members, and supply chain partners. • Provide expert operational and contractual advice to senior leadership to support strategic decision-making. Essential Requirements • Extensive experience managing Highways Maintenance contracts. • Strong working knowledge of NEC4 contracts, ideally having undertaken the NEC Service Manager role. If you have a strong background in NEC4 highways contract management and are looking for your next contract opportunity, we'd like to hear from you. Apply today with your latest CV. To find out more information please contact Lily at Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. We are an equal opportunity agency.