Property Professional in Clerkenwell

Our client is looking for an experienced Contract Manager Operations. Hybrid working dependant on experience and performance. An experienced Contract Manager who thrives in a service-led, operational environment—someone who can turn contractual commitments into real, day-to-day delivery. This role is less about technical or construction-focused contract management and more about driving performance, ensuring compliance, and delivering high-quality services across a live housing portfolio.

You’ll work closely with a wide range of internal teams and external partners, building strong relationships, influencing outcomes, and ensuring everyone is clear on what “good” looks like. A key part of the role is being able to interpret agreements and translate them into practical, operational delivery—ensuring contractual obligations aren’t just understood, but consistently delivered.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who bring strong stakeholder management, a focus on service performance, and the ability to lead in complex, fast-paced environments. Experience in housing, student accommodation, healthcare, or other service-led sectors would be valuable—but equally, we welcome those with transferable operational management skills who can demonstrate impact.

This is one of many roles we are recruiting for. An experienced contract or governance professional, confident working with complex contractual arrangements and multiple stakeholders. Strong assurance, compliance and performance management capability, with the ability to interpret contractual requirements and translate them into practical, operational oversight. Credible, analytical and influential, comfortable challenging constructively, leading without formal authority, and driving accountability and value for money.

A highly capable Contract Manager (Operations) to play a pivotal role in strengthening how we manage, govern and optimise our operational contracts. This is a high-impact role offering real autonomy, visibility and influence across a diverse housing portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Commercial Operations, you’ll lead the development and ongoing management of a robust contract management framework across student, keyworker, market rent, co-operative and short-life accommodation.

You’ll ensure contractual arrangements are effectively governed, performance-driven and aligned with our strategic objectives and risk appetite helping to mitigate contractual, financial, legal and reputational risk. You’ll act as a trusted subject-matter expert, working closely with internal teams and external partners to embed clarity, accountability and compliance. The role has a strong focus on assurance and insight: monitoring performance, leading audits and reviews, managing risk and breaches, and providing clear, evidence-based reporting to senior leaders, committees and the Board. You’ll also help shape KPIs, SLAs and performance frameworks to ensure strong delivery and value for money.

Hybrid working is available, with a base at Fleet House, Clerkenwell, London.

• Developing, implementing and maintaining a comprehensive contract management framework covering leases, management agreements, SLAs and related contracts
• Establishing and operating effective governance and assurance structures for contractual performance, compliance and risk
• Acting as the organisational subject-matter expert on contractual obligations, providing clear guidance and support to colleagues
• Conducting audits and reviews to ensure compliance with legislation, regulation and internal policy
• Monitoring provider performance against KPIs, service standards and statutory requirements
• Proactively identifying contractual and operational risks and leading corrective action plans
• Managing key relationships with partners, providers, local authorities and internal stakeholders
• Investigating, documenting and resolving contractual breaches and poor performance, escalating where required
• Leading on contract variations, change control and change-in-law activities, ensuring impacts are clearly understood and formally recorded
• Producing high-quality reports and insight for senior management, committees and the Board
• Driving continuous improvement in contract management processes, systems and reporting

Who we’re looking for: You’ll be an experienced contract or governance professional, confident working with complex contractual arrangements and multiple stakeholders. You’ll bring strong assurance, compliance and performance management capability, with the ability to interpret contractual requirements and translate them into practical, operational oversight. Credible, analytical and influential, you’ll be comfortable challenging constructively, leading without formal authority, and driving accountability and value for money.

Why join us: This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with genuine authority, visibility and strategic reach. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, shaping how the organisation manages contractual risk and performance across a diverse and high-value portfolio. For a high-potential professional seeking a role that combines autonomy, complexity and purpose while offering clear exposure to executive-level decision-making.

The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV. Should you be shortlisted, Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or we may contact you about other job opportunities. Colbern Limited along with our clients are an equal opportunities employer.