Contract Manager

Position: Contracts & Compliance Manager

Team: Finance & Operations

Reporting to: Finance Director

Location: Office (Guildford, Surrey)

About Damia Group

Established in 1995, Damia Group is an employee-owned business providing talent solutions in the Government, Security, Defence, Data, Finance, Retail, Insurance, Software & IT Services Sectors.

We provide client solutions tailored to your needs, that are cost effective and process efficient, which allow us to maintain consistently high client retention rates. We strive to create long-term professional relationships, enabling rewarding careers for our candidates and delivering significant business benefits for our clients. Given the privilege of working with you, we will operate as an intrinsic part of your team.

We pride ourselves on our collective ability to connect the right combination of people and cultural fit to enable candidates and companies to thrive. Our service and solutions range across permanent hiring, interim and fixed term placements, outcome-based solutions, Managed Services and Consultancy.

Main Purpose of the Job

The Contracts and Compliance Manager will be responsible for managing the lifecycle of all contracts: clients, contractors and suppliers, ensuring that all contracts are compliant with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. This role will manage the initial negotiations through to regular ongoing management through the lifecycle. The business is heavily weighted to contractor / interim business with clients, and therefore this role will have a heavy emphasis on contractor engagement, IR35 compliant contracts, tax implications, and employment law. You will play a key role in ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting the recruitment teams by providing effective contract management solutions in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. You will work closely with clients, contractors, and internal teams to ensure smooth and efficient contracting processes.

This is a part-time role up to 25 hours per week, preferably 5-days a week, to ensure full cover every day, with hybrid office (Guildford, Surrey) and remote working available. You will have the support of two employees who will manage the day-to-day operations on all contractor care and management, including, onboarding, weekly timesheet management, payroll and extensions and renewals.

Salary will be circa £ 45,000 pro-rata for hours/days worked. There will be additional company benefits commensurate with this position.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Contract Creation and Review: Draft, review, and finalise all new contract agreements: Client, Contractor, Suppliers, ensuring compliance with company policies, legal requirements, and client specifications. This will include all forms of contract Permanent, Contractor, SOW with flow-down Supplier Agreements, and in time, the creation of RPO, MSP and Government Framework Agreements. Most contracts work with Damia own contract templates and terms, and occasionally with client own terms and conditions.

Risk Management and Contract Negotiation: Identify potential risks in all contract negotiations and agreements; provide advice to mitigate legal or financial risks for both the company and contractors.

Issue Resolution: Act as a point of contact for both clients and contractors to address and resolve any contractual disputes or issues that may arise during the assignment period.

Compliance Management: Ensure that all contractor agreements comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including tax implications, and industry standards; and in particular, conduct IR35 assessments and ensure that contractor placements are accurately classified in line with HMRC guidelines and industry best practices.

Contract Renewals and Extensions: Manage the contract renewal process, ensuring timely renewals, amendments, and extensions in line with client and contractor requirements.

Regulatory Updates: Stay informed about changes in employment law, tax regulations, and other relevant legislation, ensuring the company remains compliant with current requirements.

Stakeholder Communication: Liaise with clients and internal teams (recruitment, legal, finance) to ensure smooth contract execution and manage expectations regarding terms and timelines.

Reporting: Prepare regular reports on contract status, renewals, compliance, and any relevant metrics for senior management; manage regulatory reporting, eg: the quarterly HMRC ITEPA report.

Record Keeping and Documentation: Maintain accurate records of all contracts, amendments, and correspondence related to agreements. Maintain “the Contract Terms Register”.

Internal Training and Guidance: Provide training and support to internal teams on compliance issues, contract requirements, and best practices for contractor placements.

Skills and Experience

Proven experience in contract management and compliance, within the recruitment or staffing industry, with a focus on high-volume contractor placements.

Strong knowledge of contract and employment law , IR35 regulations , tax compliance, and recruitment industry standards.

Excellent contract drafting and review skills, with the ability to ensure clarity and compliance with legal requirements.

Analytical skills with the ability to assess risk and provide solutions in relation to contract and compliance issues.

Excellent negotiation skills , with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, in a collaborative environment.

Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex compliance issues to non-experts, including clients, contractors, and recruitment teams.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and recruitment or contract management software (experience with platforms such as Vincere is a plus).