Contracts Manager Review

My role as a Contracts Manager is to ensure projects are delivered in adherence to the contract terms. On a daily basis, this involves assessing applications for payments alongside the Project Manager and preparing payment certificates, reviewing Early Warnings and Compensation Events, and attending project review meetings, giving NEC3 contractual guidance where necessary. Essentially I assist the project manager in sticking to the timelines stipulated in the contract, so that a successful project can be delivered to the best possible price for the customer.

I have transferred from a similar role within a different industry, so use many existing skills on a daily basis such as communication (from formal writing to spoken interactions), analysis and assessment of contractors applications or claims and use of software to assist contract management and reporting. I have gained a much more thorough knowledge of NEC forms of contract in my current role and have much more procurement focus.

I thoroughly enjoy learning the many different topics covered by the quantity surveying discipline and it gives me much more confidence at work being familiar with all the background / supporting knowledge. I do find the programme workload difficult, as it requires many hours of study, many more of research and more again in assignment report preparation and writing. This is difficult to balance alongside a full time job and a young family.

The programme is very well structured and organised. There is an excellent support network provided and an Apprenticeship Support Officer in touch with me on a very regular basis. The programme covers a good range of topics with a logical progression and increasing depth of focus. One criticism is that modules are taken in pairs and regularly have assignment due dates very close together - this means a huge amount of work all needing to be delivered at the same time.

I feel well supported by my employer; I am given sufficient freedom to organise my own time and suitable hours to complete my college learning. They are always present for the regular apprenticeship review meetings and interested in my successful progression. Apprenticeships would benefit from greater company involvement - bringing together groups of people that are in the same position, or by facilitating wider opportunities to gain experience of the professional competencies needed for RICS accreditation.

My training provider wants me to succeed in my programme and I feel fully supported by them. There is a 'Student Central' query logging system for any serious issues and they respond very quickly and supportively. I have an apprenticeship outcomes officer assigned to me who is in regular contact. They also help with any issues and contact the wider university administration on my behalf - they all talk to each other to make sure any problems can be overcome.

The qualification journey has been eye opening for me, I have transformed in terms of confidence, largely due to gaining knowledge and being able to apply it immediately to my work day role. It also allows you to see the "how things should be done" theory and compare it to "how things are done" in industry, so you can identify better ways of working, or really see the issues with practical application of theory.

There are sporting activities for those who enjoy them. There are monthly book clubs, many learning events and other online groups for people with similar interests. In all honesty I am fairly new to the company and have family commitments that do not allow much time for extra-curricular work activities, so I have not sought these out.

Yes

It is a collaborative, supportive working environment that looks to employ great people. The salary is very competitive, the benefits are very good and the overall atmosphere is of a professional, respectful workplace. Progression and development are supported and encouraged, and the industry plays a vital part of everyone's life. This importance will only increase in the future, so I feel the company makes a positive impact.

They respect honesty, knowledge and experience rather than loud, unfounded claims to greatness. Willingness to get involved with the projects and people and see a job well done. You have to be very self motivated at SSE to make sure you get involved, rather than relying on others to fully integrate you.