Contracts Manager - Civils (Tailings Storage Facility & Civil Works)

Kulture Labs Consulting has been appointed to conduct this search on behalf of our client, an established civil engineering contractor delivering tailings storage facility dams and associated civil works on a mine site in North-Western Province, Zambia.

We are a third-party search firm. We are not the employer. Our client's identity is confidential at this stage and will be given to you before any of your details are shared with them.

THE ROLE

Manage the contract from start to successful completion — commercially, contractually and operationally. The Contracts Manager reports to the Operations Manager and carries full accountability for the contract's outcome. The Construction Manager reports to this position.

This is a commercially and contractually demanding project on a remote site, with a mining client whose standards are exacting. It is a role for someone who wants ownership of a contract rather than supervision of a task list.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Commercial ownership — accurate turnover forecasts, profit forecasting against the pre-contract objective, monthly cost reports and certificates, maximising cash flow and following the payment process through with the client, monitoring buying against allowable, controlling contractors' extras and day works
• Contractual command — identifying contractual risk and implementing controls, expert knowledge of the specification and pay items, contractual correspondence and claims applied properly and on time, a maintained claims register, appointing and paying subcontractors
• Programme — contractual programme submitted as the contract requires, plant and labour requirements within 14 days of award, critical orders 30 days ahead of need, monthly programme updates and a weekly working programme
• Safety, health and environment — SHE risk controls, safety appointments including subcontractors, audit close-out, adherence to the contract environmental management plan, site targets aligned to company objectives
• Plant — plant programme and productivity controls, diesel administration, cost controls, operator maintenance regimes
• Administration — contract filing and document control, asset registers, delivery note and invoice control, safety, plant and labour returns on time, site records maintained
• People — performance management, building an accountable project team, training and upskilling the managers below you, fair and equitable discipline, managing cultural and language diversity across a mixed workforce
• Quality and client relationships — method statements and quality control plans before work starts, prompt action on audit findings, monitoring the cost of non-conformance, building the relationship with the engineer and the client's representatives

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• National Diploma preferred, in Civil Engineering. Professional registration a distinct advantage
• 3–5 years as a Senior Site Agent, and 15+ years in civil construction
• Technically advanced in roads, earthworks, structures and services. Tailings storage facility or dam experience strongly preferred
• Advanced construction and project planning knowledge, and deep contractual knowledge — forms of contract, notices, claims and their proper application
• CCS, BuildSmart and MS Office. Proficiency in CCS is a genuine differentiator for this role
• Proven ability to draft memoranda, contractual letters, notices, claims and reports
• EIZ or SACPCMP registration a distinct advantage
• Valid driving licence. A vehicle able to handle site conditions is an advantage

THE PERSON

This role carries real autonomy a long way from head office. We are looking for someone who sets objectives and attains them, who develops the managers below them, who is decisive under pressure, and who can hold a mixed-nationality site team together when the programme is tight.

BEING STRAIGHT WITH YOU ABOUT THE CONDITIONS

This is a remote site. The hours are long, the weather is not always kind, and the posting means extended periods away from family and friends. It suits someone who has done site work before and knows exactly what that costs. We would rather you knew this now than found out in week two.

CAREER PATH

The role sits directly below Senior Contracts Manager, with a defined progression to Operations Manager. Development areas supported in the position include business development, skills development and people leadership.

REMUNERATION

Reflects the seniority of the role and the demands of a remote site posting. The package will be discussed openly with shortlisted candidates before any interview with our client.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete our short application form:

https://app.hellobonsai.com/f/0ada13b4e06c5aa

Or send your CV to info.kulturelabs@gmail.com with CONTRACTS MANAGER in the subject line. Include project values, the forms of contract you have worked under, and the claims you have run.

Closing date: end of September 2026.

For a confidential conversation before applying, call Musa Unene on +260 967 748 858.

OUR COMMITMENTS TO YOU

• We never charge candidates a fee, at any stage. If anyone asks you to pay for a role through us, please tell us.
• We reply to every applicant, including those we cannot take forward — and we tell you why.
• Nothing goes to our client without your permission for that specific role, and we tell you the client's name first.
• We verify qualifications directly with the issuing body. An honest gap is never a problem; an unverifiable certificate always is.
• You can ask us to delete your details at any time, without explanation.