Trainee Contract Manager

Job Title: Trainee Contract Manager

Location: SG1 4QX - Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Working Hours:40 Hours Per Week, Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00

About us:

Garrard Building and Construction Ltd is a family run construction company established in 1946. The Company specialises in building repair and renovation to domestic and commercial properties within an approximate 50-mile radius of our offices in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

We are a specialist construction and property repair company delivering insured building repairs on behalf of insurers, loss adjusters, housing providers, and private clients. Our projects range from minor reinstatement works to major property repairs following subsidence, fire, flood, escape of water, impact, and other insured events. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality repairs, excellent customer service, and efficient project management.

About the Role:

The Assistant Contract Manager will provide administrative, operational, and project support to multiple Contract Managers and repair teams across a portfolio of insured building repair projects. The role is ideal for an organised and proactive individual looking to develop a career in construction management, insurance reinstatement, and project delivery.

The successful candidate will assist in coordinating projects from instruction through to completion, ensuring works are delivered safely, efficiently, within budget, and to the required quality standards while maintaining excellent communication with clients, customers, subcontractors and suppliers.

Career Development

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop within a growing construction business, with progression opportunities into Contract Management, Project Management, Surveying, or Operations Management roles.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Contract & Project Support

• Provide day-to-day support to Contract Managers across multiple live projects
• Assist with planning, scheduling, and coordinating repair works
• Monitor project progress and update internal management systems
• Support the preparation of work programmes and project documentation
• Assist in managing project costs and monitoring budgets
• Help ensure projects are completed within agreed timescales and service level agreements

Client & Stakeholder Communication

• Act as a point of contact for clients, customers, loss adjusters, and subcontractors
• Provide regular updates regarding project progress
• Respond to customer queries and assist in resolving issues promptly
• Support the management of customer expectations throughout the repair process

Commercial & Administrative Duties

• Raise purchase orders and subcontractor instructions
• Assist with valuations, variations, and invoicing processes
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation
• Support the preparation of reports and performance data
• Ensure all project files are up to date and compliant

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Assist in ensuring projects comply with company health and safety procedures
• Maintain records relating to risk assessments, method statements, and site documentation
• Support compliance with company policies, insurance requirements, and industry regulations
• Promote safe working practices across all projects

Operational Support

• Assist with general project administration
• Assist with material ordering and delivery schedules
• Support site inspections and quality control processes where required
• Work collaboratively with all other team members

About you:

Essential

• Previous experience in an administrative, coordinator, assistant project management, or construction support role
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and customer service abilities
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable

• Experience within construction, property maintenance, facilities management, or insurance reinstatement
• Knowledge of insured building repairs and claims processes
• Understanding of construction contracts and project management principles
• Experience using job management or construction software systems

Personal Attributes

• Professional and customer-focused
• Proactive and willing to learn
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Adaptable and capable of working in a fast-paced environment
• Positive attitude with a commitment to delivering excellent service

Benefits:

The benefits package includes a standard entitlement of 20 days paid holiday per year (in addition to the 8 UK Bank and Public holidays) and access to a pension scheme following a qualifying period.

Please click the APPLY button to send your CVand Cover Letter for this role.

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment and harassment on the grounds of all the 'protected characteristics' as identified by the Equality Act 2010.

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Project Coordinator, Site Administrator, Construction Planner, Insurance Reinstatement, Property Maintenance Coordinator, Assistant Contracts Manager, Building Repair Coordination, Works Scheduler, Subcontractor Management, Claims Handling, Construction Admin, Facilities Coordinator, Project Support Assistant, RAMS (Risk Assessments & Method Statements), and Building Services Coordinator may also be considered for this role.