Contracts Manager

CONTRACTS MANAGER – STUDENT ACCOMMODATION (HARD FM)

* Location: Newcastle (Primary base with UK travel) * Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum + vehicle or allowance + fuel card + benefits * Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time * Recruitment Consultancy: Nelson Permanent Placements About the Role An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Contracts Manager to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing facilities management companies, specialising in high-quality hard FM delivery for student accommodation, build-to-rent, and education sectors. This is a hands-on, high-visibility FM role managing a key regional patch of student accommodation sites across the Northeast and Scotland. You will take ownership of hard FM activity across 7+ modern buildings, acting as the vital link between contractors, site teams, admin, and the client. Your Patch & Travel Requirements: * Primary Location: Newcastle base * Regular Monthly Travel: Leeds, Durham, and Scotland (2 sites in Glasgow, 1 in Edinburgh) Key Responsibilities * Oversee all hard FM services, including planned preventative maintenance (PPMs), reactive works, compliance, and minor projects. * Manage the supply chain by booking and overseeing specialist contractors for HVAC, lifts, fire systems, gas, water, and more. * Act as the client-facing lead to guarantee excellent relationships and smooth operational performance. * Collaborate closely with the helpdesk and admin team who coordinate day-to-day calls and tasks. * Conduct monthly site visits while managing day-to-day delivery via Teams. * Support the successful mobilisation of newly awarded contracts. * Provide operational support to building general managers while site managers handle student-facing queries. * Ensure strict compliance with Health & Safety and contract delivery standards. Person Specification * Proven experience within Facilities Management, ideally in a mobile or multi-site FM capacity. * A strong working understanding of M&E principles and PPM schedules. * Confident managing contractors, handling reactive calls, and driving compliance. * A calm, professional, and organised demeanour with strong problem-solving capabilities. * A technical background (e.g., electrical, plumbing, or gas) is advantageous but not essential. * Previous exposure to student accommodation or high-occupancy residential environments is a strong bonus. * A full UK driving licence is required. Package & Benefits * Base salary of up to £60,000 * Choice of company vehicle (e.g., EV or petrol) or car allowance * Fuel card and expenses card provided for travel and overnight stays * Long-term 3-year contract stability * Career progression pathways into senior leadership within a collaborative, fast-growing business How to Apply: If you are a proactive, client-focused FM professional looking to take ownership of a prestigious regional patch, please submit your CV to Nelson Permanent Placements today