Contract Manager

Role: Contract Manager (Service Mobilisation & Contract Delivery)

Contract: 12 months (inside IR35)

Location: Primarily remote, with occasional travel to London for meetings and onboarding/training requirements.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Contract Manager to lead the mobilisation of a nationally delivered service as it transitions from a grant-funded model to a fully contracted service. This is a critical role focused on supplier mobilisation, commercial oversight, governance, risk management, and ensuring operational readiness for service go-live.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Mobilisation & Delivery
  • Lead and manage supplier mobilisation activities against contractual milestones and delivery plans.
  • Monitor critical paths, dependencies, risks, and readiness activities.
  • Hold suppliers accountable for delivery performance and contractual obligations.
  • Drive resolution of issues and recovery plans where required.
• Commercial Oversight & Assurance
  • Provide robust commercial management and contract assurance.
  • Ensure compliance, value for money, and alignment with contractual requirements.
  • Identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies.
  • Deliver evidence-based assessments of supplier readiness and support go/no-go decisions.
• Governance & Stakeholder Management
  • Establish governance frameworks, escalation routes, and performance management processes.
  • Work closely with commercial, legal, policy, operational, and supplier stakeholders.
  • Build strong working relationships to ensure delivery confidence and alignment.
• Transition to Live Service
  • Ensure the service is fully operational and compliant ahead of launch.
  • Manage transition from mobilisation into business-as-usual contract management.
  • Oversee effective handover of operational, contractual, and performance arrangements.
  • Capture lessons learned and continuous improvement opportunities.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• CMCP (Practitioner) or CIPFA Diploma in Contract Management.
• Strong governance, assurance, and risk management expertise.
• Significant experience managing large-scale service contracts.
• Experience leading contract mobilisation and transition activities.
• Proven ability to manage complex supplier relationships and hold suppliers accountable for delivery.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate independently in complex and evolving environments.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in delivery-focused environments with multiple competing priorities.
• Experience supporting services or programmes focused on vulnerable individuals or victim-centred outcomes.