Contracts Manager Heating in Lowestoft

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work, delivering essential local services and making a real difference to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk. We currently have an opportunity to join East Suffolk Council's Regulatory Compliance Team as a Contracts Manager (Heating).

Role Overview

You will be directly responsible for operational planning, implementation and delivery of all heating system programmes relating to existing homes, including:

• Annual servicing of gas, oil and solid fuel heating system servicing
• Managing the installation of replacement systems to existing homes
• Ensuring the maintenance and repairs to heating systems is well managed
• Specification and installation of renewable heating systems
• Management of external third-party audits of servicing programmes
• Accountable for routine inspection and servicing programmes ensuring all properties receive the necessary inspections and remedial actions to ensure the highest levels of safety for residents and record keeping to evidence compliance and provide assurance
• Carry out site and post inspections to monitor contractor performance, responsible for ensuring contractors meet the expected standards
• Directly responsible for effective contract management which delivers high quality services, delivers ongoing savings, efficiencies and service improvements, through the effective planning and facilitating of regular contract reviews, ensuring standards are met and outcomes are recorded
• Acting as the designated Contract Administrator ensuring adherence to contractual requirements, approving applications for payments and valuations across multiple heating safety programmes, managing supply chain relationships, delivering on time, on budget and to the expected quality standards
• Responsible for adherence to detailed technical specifications, compliant with Building Regulations, legislation and best practice
• Accountable for developing and managing project costs against agreed budgets, monitoring spend and mitigating cost increases, ensuring the robust and effective financial management of contracts
• Directly responsible for monitoring contractor performance, developing and refining metrics which accurately track compliance with safety legislation
• Actively engaging with residents in relation to heating systems, promoting good safety behaviours, leading by example and building trusted and respected long-term relationships

What you will need:

• Current knowledge of UK building regulations and safety legislation relating to all forms of domestic heating systems
• Contract administration using JCT or similar forms of building contracts
• Experience of managing similar heating contracts
• Contract managing multiple programmes of work
• Solid understanding of building practices, contract management and programme management
• Ability to use and act on initiative and solve problems
• Relevant qualification relating to building services/mechanical/electrical systems or willingness to complete a level 5 or above qualification

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t meet all of the essential requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Why work for us?

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access:

• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays)
• Local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes
• Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services

The majority of our teams are working in an agile way, with a mixture of home and office working, depending on individual preferences and service requirements. If you wish to discuss how that might impact your working arrangements if you were the successful candidate, please contact the recruiting manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

To find out more

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Matt Patnell by emailing matt.patnell@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.

Closing date 9.00 am 17 April 2026.

Interview date Week commencing Monday 27 April 2026.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf).
Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement template (Word). Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification. Please use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).
Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted. For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our career site.