Corporate Contracts Manager

Lead Strategic Contract Management at Royal Greenwich

Are you an experienced contracts professional ready to take on a pivotal leadership role in a progressive council? Royal Greenwich is seeking a Corporate Contracts Manager to provide expert contract management and supplier relationship management advice that aligns with our corporate objectives and drives positive change.

As the Corporate Contracts Manager, you will serve as a key strategic adviser, working closely with departments to elevate the profile of contract management and empower officers with the necessary skills and knowledge. This is your opportunity to shape contract management practices that deliver maximum value and social benefits to our community.

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial contract of 2 years. Secondment opportunities will be considered for this role, offering a chance for candidates to broaden their experience.

About the Role
Reporting to the Procurement Strategy Lead, you will lead contract management strategies and training initiatives, ensuring robust procurement plans that support the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy. Your expertise will guide senior managers and teams through all stages of the procurement cycle, fostering strong relationships with third-party partners to mitigate risks and enhance service delivery.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborating with the Procurement Strategy Lead to develop and implement effective contract management strategies and forward procurement plans.
• Providing expert advice on contract and supplier relationship management to senior managers across the Council.
• Designing and delivering comprehensive training on contract management and the use of the Council’s eContract Management system to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Advising internal customers on contract management processes, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023 and NHS Provider Selection Regime 2023.
• Developing supplier relationship plans for key strategic suppliers, ensuring stakeholder engagement throughout.
• Integrating Social Value aspirations into contract management plans and Key Performance Indicators, while promoting broader policy contexts like the Transparency Agenda, London Living Wage, and Fair Tax.
• Promoting a culture of performance management to maximize contract value and social benefits.
• Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, including the publication of Key Performance Indicators and keeping officers informed of best practice changes.
• Preparing annual Chief Officer Performance Reports for Contract Management and Social Value.
• Leading multi-disciplinary teams to achieve shared objectives and providing guidance to the Contracts Support Officer(s).
• Representing the Council in external meetings with contractors, consultants, and other local authorities.
• Maintaining professional networks to benchmark and bring best practices to the Council.
• Providing mentoring opportunities to junior staff, including graduates and apprentices.

What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a Corporate Contracts Manager with the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

Knowledge and Experience

• A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive work history in a medium to large public or private sector organisation at a Senior Contract Manager level or equivalent.
• Awareness of all relevant public sector procurement legislation impacting contract management, specifically including the Procurement Act 2023 and NHS Provider Selection Regime 2023.
• (Desirable) Awareness of the wider policy context for public procurement, including the Transparency Agenda, Social Value, London Living Wage, Modern Slavery, Fair Tax, equality & diversity, and Community Wealth Building.

Skills and Abilities

• Expert skills in contract and supplier relationship management across significant contracts and a range of services.
• Ability to manage staff directly and through project and matrix working.
• Strong organisational and planning skills at both strategic and operational levels, combined with supplier and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to develop, plan, and deliver training to a wide range of stakeholders.

Experience

• Experience in providing staff and project leadership within a dynamic and changing environment.
• Proven experience delivering contract management advice and support across various services and disciplines.
• Experience managing and supporting staff to ensure a culture of continuous improvement through performance, learning, and development.
• Ability to make informed decisions based on relevant information and risk assessments.

Equal Opportunities

• Understanding of and commitment to the Council’s equal opportunities policies and ability to put them into practice in this role.
• Understanding of and commitment to achieving the Council’s staff values and ability to demonstrate these in your work.

Why Work for Royal Greenwich?

At Royal Greenwich, you’ll be part of an innovative and supportive team committed to delivering real impact for our residents. As aCorporate Contracts Manager, you’ll enjoy:

• Anexcellent working environment and culturewith experienced, professional management and colleagues.
• Agenerous 29 days’ annual leave, plusBank Holidays. (increasing to 31 days’ after 5 years continuous service)
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements with comprehensive IT support.
• Continuous professional development opportunities, including coaching, mentoring and training.
• The chance to work in a vibrant borough with excellent transport links, including theElizabeth LineandUber Boat.
• ACycle to Work scheme,reduced-rate gym membershipand a range of local benefits and discounts.
• Not to mention agenerous Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS),which is a Defined Benefit pension scheme giving a guaranteed income when you retire with no individual risk.

How to Apply
Are you ready to lead strategic contract management initiatives and drive meaningful change at Royal Greenwich? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Please read the attached job documents and include a supporting statement detailing how your experience aligns with the Person Specification. We look forward to your application!

Interview Dates: W/C Monday 6th January and W/C Monday 13th January

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Stefanie Seff; Stefanie.Seff@royalgreenwich.gov.uk 0208 921 2134

To apply please click theApply Nowlink below.