Contracts Manager - Habitats - North West (Keystone Environmental)

Origin Environmental

16h•Hybrid

About The Position

Keystone Environmental, an Origin Enterprises business, is part of the Environmental division focused on sustainable land use. As a growing ecological and arboricultural consultancy and contracting SME with over 24 years of experience, Keystone provides end-to-end services in the UK. Since 2022, it has operated as an Origin Enterprises company, benefiting from a global leader in sustainability. Keystone values People, Community, Partnerships, Integrity, and Innovation, which are reflected in its operations. The company works across public and private sectors, including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, specializing in conservation-driven projects focused on nature restoration and Biodiversity Net Gain. The Habitats Team at Keystone leverages specialist engineering knowledge to design and deliver first-class mitigation schemes across the UK, known for its sensitive approach to protected habitats and species. This close-knit team of 20, led by Head of Habitats Josh Willis, delivers habitat clearance, creation, restoration, and management solutions. The North West Contracts Manager is a strategic new appointment tasked with developing and leading a North West England delivery team, supported by the wider business. This role offers considerable growth opportunities as the regional hub emerges and builds on existing client relationships. The ideal candidate will be highly-organised, personable, proactive, and driven, primarily responsible for actively procuring, organising, and delivering a range of land management schemes while adhering to Keystone’s quality assurance standards and risk management procedures. A genuine alignment with Keystone’s vision and values and a demonstrable willingness to contribute to the successful growth of the Habitats team are essential. The role involves strategically balancing sourcing new opportunities with practical project delivery, including client networking, liaison, project management, budgeting, and practical implementation. Close coordination with the existing team for logistics, project planning, and resourcing is required. The manager will lead on quoting and tendering for local works and support the wider Keystone Habitats team in bidding for more complex tenders. They will also actively seek joint venture opportunities within the Origin Enterprises Group. While supported by a Habitats Administrator, self-sufficiency in administrative duties is expected. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Ecology and Head of Arboriculture & Forestry to ensure schemes are delivered with a focus on protected species and their associated habitats, in compliance with relevant legislation. The long-term aim is to offer a competitive nationwide ecological contracting & habitat management service, integrated with existing ecological consultancy and arboriculture offerings.

Requirements

Relevant industry experience in ecological contracting or practical land management, including habitat creation and restoration, conservation, forestry and arboriculture.
Exceptional communication skills, evidenced via a track record of client, subcontractor and supplier communication and management.
Experience in organising and managing a team of operatives and associated vehicles and plant on projects.
Ability to identify risks and opportunities, avoiding/minimising the former and capitalising on the latter.
A proven aptitude for understanding clients’ requirements and delivering these on time and within budget, without compromising industry standards.
Demonstrable commercial acumen, both in profitable project delivery and in seeking future opportunities.
Ability to balance and manage priorities, and maintain good working relationships with clients and colleagues whilst working under pressure.
Solutions led and having an inherent ability to problem solve under pressure and in a range of environments.
Quoting, tendering and project delivery experience.
Experience in line managing and mentoring junior team members to achieve their full potential.
Experience in writing site-specific risk assessments and method statements for jobs covering a range of sectors.
Clean driving licence.

Nice To Haves

Related qualifications or professional accreditations such as SSSTS/SMSTS, CSCS or similar industry equivalent.
Towing experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a North West England delivery team.
Actively procure, organise, and deliver a range of land management schemes, adhering to Keystone’s quality assurance standards and risk management procedures.
Strategically balance sourcing new opportunities with practical delivery of projects.
Conduct prospective client networking and client liaison.
Manage projects, including budgeting and practical implementation.
Coordinate closely with the existing team for logistics, project planning, and resourcing.
Lead on quoting and tendering for local works.
Support the wider Keystone Habitats team in bidding for more complex tenders and opportunities.
Actively seek joint venture opportunities within the wider Origin Enterprises Group.
Perform administrative duties associated with efficient project management.
Work closely with the Head of Ecology and Head of Arboriculture & Forestry to ensure schemes are delivered with a focus on protected species and their associated habitats, and in compliance with relevant legislation.
Seek and recruit new team members with the support of Origin’s HR team.
Line manage and professionally develop junior staff.
Contribute to wider business strategy.
Procure works including quoting and tendering of large scale projects.
Control finances, including budget management and delivery of revenue targets.
Help to secure repeat and referral work through nurturing of new & existing clients.
Maximise opportunities to win new work from prospective clients including scheduling introductory meetings.