At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver impactful community services and manage contract operations.
- Company: Active Life, a charity focused on health and wellbeing in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a purpose-driven organisation with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping the future of community services.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40582 - 49600 £ per year.
Active Life is a community focused charity dedicated to improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life through accessible leisure, fitness, and community services.
We are looking for an exceptional Contract Manager to provide senior leadership across our contract, inspire our teams, and help shape the future delivery of our services.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced contract and operational leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about delivering outstanding services that have a genuine impact on people's lives.
As Contract Manager, you will be the most senior lead within the contract, providing strategic and operational leadership across services, facilities, programmes, and people.
Acting as the direct reporting line into senior teams, you will play a pivotal role in driving performance, ensuring excellent customer experiences, maintaining compliance, and supporting the long-term sustainability and growth of Active Life.
What You’ll Be Doing You will
- Lead and oversee the day-to-day operation and strategic direction of Active Life’s contract, services, facilities, and programmes.
- Develop, support, and motivate high-performing teams, creating a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture across the contract.
- Ensure the delivery of excellent customer service and community engagement.
- Manage contract budgets and contribute to the financial sustainability and commercial performance of the organisation.
- Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior teams, local authorities, partners, stakeholders, and community groups.
- Act as the senior contract reporting line, providing clear updates, insight, and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
- Monitor performance, analyse data, and implement actions that improve operational effectiveness.
We’re looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with strong contract management and operational leadership.
- You will have: Essential
- Significant experience in a senior contract management or operational leadership role.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams.
- Experience managing contract budgets and delivering services against financial, operational, and contractual targets.
- Strong knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and risk management.
- Excellent communication, senior stakeholder management, and reporting skills.
- Experience driving service improvement, contract performance, and operational effectiveness.
- Strong organisational, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
- A customer‑focused approach and commitment to high‑quality, contract‑led service delivery.
- A passion for community impact and improving health and wellbeing outcomes.
Desirable Experience within the leisure, fitness, sport, health, wellbeing, charity, or commissioned services sector.
Relevant management qualification.
Experience managing complex contracts or multi‑site operations.
Knowledge of safeguarding practices within community services.
Experience working with local authorities, commissioning bodies, senior stakeholders, or community partners.
Experience leading organisational change and growth initiatives.
At Active Life, our people are at the heart of everything we do.
You'll join a supportive and purpose‑driven organisation where your leadership of the contract will directly contribute to healthier, happier communities.
In return, we offer: A rewarding senior contract leadership role with real community impact.
Opportunities for professional development and growth.
A supportive and collaborative working environment.
Competitive salary and benefits package.
The chance to drive innovation, influence senior decision‑making, and help shape the future of Active Life.
If you're an ambitious and inspirational contract leader looking to make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.
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Contract Manager in Canterbury employer: Active Life
Active Life is an exceptional employer that prioritises community impact and employee development, making it a fantastic place for a Contract Manager to thrive. With a supportive and collaborative work culture, you will have the opportunity to lead high-performing teams while driving innovation and shaping the future of our services. We offer a competitive salary, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the health and wellbeing of our communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager in Canterbury
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Active Life.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Active Life.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Active Life.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Active Life. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Active Life. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Contract Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Active Life
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Active Life. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
