Contract Manager in Leeds

Have you successfully managed complex contracts and supplier relationships to deliver value for money? Can you lead end-to-end procurement activity, including writing Invitation to Tenders and evaluating tender responses? Do you have the skills to influence senior stakeholders and negotiate successful commercial outcomes? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is an exciting time to join the Digital, Information and Security Directorate within the Department for Transport as we restructure our directorate to ensure we are ready for future challenges, building a more sustainable, skilled and in-house capability. You’ll be joining a supportive and collaborative team at the heart of our digital function, where you’ll have a unique opportunity to lead high-profile commercial contracts, influence senior decision-makers, and deliver tangible improvements in service quality and value for money.

Working in a fast-paced and evolving environment, you’ll shape commercial strategies, manage key supplier relationships, and play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of digital services across the Department for Transport.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

As a Contract Manager, you will be responsible for managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements across the Digital, Information and Security (DIS) directorate, ensuring they deliver value for money and meet business needs. Reporting to the Senior Business Manager, you will maintain effective supplier relationships, monitor contract performance, manage commercial risks and ensure compliance with relevant policies and governance requirements.

You will play a key role in supporting procurement activity, financial oversight and business planning, using data and insight to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement. Working with colleagues across DIS and external suppliers, you will help ensure commercial arrangements support the successful delivery of digital services and organisational objectives.

Strong communication, stakeholder management and analytical skills are essential, alongside the ability to manage competing priorities and provide sound commercial advice.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Managing a complex/high-value caseload of supplier contracts across the Digital Information and Security directorate, ensuring compliance with commercial and procurement policies.
• Monitoring contract performance, service delivery, and financial spend against agreed terms and conditions.
• Tracking and managing supplier performance, KPIs and deliverables each month.
• Lead monthly performance and delivery reviews with the supplier and contract owners to ensure the contracts are effective.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for suppliers on contract-related matters, building effective working relationships.
• Supporting the Senior Business Manager in ensuring supplier payments, contract variations, and financial commitments are accurately managed.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process.