At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier contracts and ensure they deliver value for money.
- Company: Department for Transport, promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce.
- Benefits: Generous pension contributions, 25 days leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Excellent career development opportunities and support for professional qualifications.
- Why this job: Make an impact in digital services while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
Location: Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, Swansea (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
Salary: £44,241 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Available Positions: 1
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.
Top Responsibilities
- 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.
Benefits
- 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).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Robust knowledge and experience of contract management, commercial principles and successfully managing complex commercial relationships.
- Extensive experience of writing procurement specifications, managing supplier days and co-ordinating evaluation of tender responses.
- Successful track record in being able to identify and deliver value for money and improved delivery through both strategic commercial management and robust contract management.
- Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships and lead engagements to influence and negotiate with a wide network of senior stakeholders, including across functions or with external providers.
- Attention to detail and high level of accuracy, and ability to maintain and manage confidential or sensitive information.
- An ability to gather and produce information, data, insight and evidence in a way that can be used to inform decisions on complex issues.
Essential Qualifications
You will already hold at least one of the following:
- CMCP Practitioner level (Government Contract Management Capability Programme)
- CIPS/MCIPS or equivalent commercial qualification/accreditation
If you do not currently hold both, you will be expected to work towards obtaining the additional accreditation once in post. You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.
How to Apply
Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Tuesday 18th August 2026.
Contract Manager in Birmingham employer: Department for Transport
Join a dynamic and supportive work environment as a Principal Surveyor, where your expertise will be valued in managing diverse property assets and providing strategic advice on major projects. Our company fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous professional development, ensuring that you have ample opportunities to grow your skills while enjoying the flexibility of part-time work. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a unique blend of professional challenge and work-life balance, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Contract Manager at Department for Transport!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Department for Transport or be willing to refer you for that Contract Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Department for Transport who’s on the lookout for their next Contract Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Contract Manager role at Department for Transport!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Department for Transport. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Department for Transport. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
