Contract Manager - Critical National Infrastructure (Energy Sector)
Manchester - Hybrid, 8 days/month in office | Competitive salary + 10% car allowance + up to 20% bonus | Defined career progression path
About the Role
We're recruiting on behalf of a major organisation delivering critical national infrastructure in the energy sector - underpinning services relied on by millions of people across the country. This role sits within their Contract & Supplier Management function, which owns every third-party contract relationship from award through to end of life.
This is a genuinely high-scale, high-impact opportunity: you'll take ownership of the organisation's most critical supplier contracts - each valued at £20m+ with an average lifecycle of around 10 years and there's a clearly defined path for career progression from here.
Important: this is a post-signature role. The contracts you'll manage are already awarded, your focus is on leading changes, negotiations, disputes, and financial/risk governance throughout their life, not original tendering or procurement.
What You'll Be Doing
- Owning complex, high-value supplier contracts critical to the organisation's operations and security standards
- Managing end-to-end financial forecasting and governance across your contracts
- Leading and negotiating contract change and project requests, including extensions valued at £10m+
- Leading contract negotiations and dispute resolution throughout the contract lifecycle
- Building and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, this is a relationship-driven role, not just a transactional one
- Driving continuous efficiencies and value-for-money improvements
- Maintaining rigorous contract documentation and audit trails, including detailed obligation tracking
- Identifying, logging, and mitigating risk across your contract portfolio
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience managing multiple contracts concurrently, each valued at £1m or more
- Genuine post-signature contract management experience - change control, amendments, extensions, and dispute resolution
- Excellent stakeholder management skills - you'll be building relationships that last, not just closing out actions
- A proactive, self-starting approach - someone who spots opportunities and takes ownership rather than waiting to be asked
- Genuine personality and presence - this client wants someone with real energy and character, not just a strong CV
- Strong financial forecasting and governance experience across contracts
- Confident negotiation skills, particularly around contract changes and disputes
- Rigorous attention to documentation, compliance, and audit-trail detail
- Experience in a regulated sector (energy, utilities, telecoms, defense ect)
Why Apply
- Genuinely critical, large-scale infrastructure work with real national impact
- Career-defining contract scale - not small or peripheral agreements
- A clear, defined progression path from this role
- Strong package including a 10% car allowance and a bonus of up to 20%
- Hybrid pattern based in Manchester
To Apply
Get in touch with me for a confidential conversation -
Contract Manager employer: Arguile
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Subcontract Manager in Bristol or Barnstaple, where you will thrive in a supportive work culture that values flexibility and employee well-being. With competitive benefits including hybrid working, generous leave options, and robust training opportunities, this role offers a chance to grow your career while making a meaningful impact in the Defence sector. Experience a workplace that prioritises collaboration and professional development, ensuring you are well-equipped to manage complex supplier relationships effectively.
