Senior Contract Manager in Milton Keynes

East West Rail is an infrastructure programme connecting communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix that, improving prosperity for people and places along the way.

East West Railway Company (that's us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.

At East West Railway Company, we're committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple: to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.

Role Summary

As a Senior Contract Manager, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping, governing and optimising the commercial and contractual frameworks that underpin East West Rail. You will lead on high-value, complex contracts, ensuring our commercial arrangements drive maximum value, performance and strategic alignment with programme objectives.

You will work closely with and provide full support to the Head of Contract Management, as well as senior stakeholders across the organisation. You will provide authoritative commercial insight, strengthen contract governance, mentor Contract Managers, and ensure that robust commercial discipline and rigour is embedded and applied across all areas of the programme.

Function

The Commercial Team function provides Commercial, Contract Management and Procurement capability across the programme lifecycle, including strategy (setting the commercial strategy and advising on risk allocation underpinning the delivery strategy), delivering procurement activities for the goods and services required to deliver the asset and run EWR, and delivering contract management services post-award for the complex network of suppliers supporting the EWR programme.

Across all three of these domains, the Commercial Team function manages governance and provides leadership and reporting to measure compliance and provide commercial assurance to the programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Commercial Team function in leading the development and implementation of advanced contract management strategies and frameworks.
• Serve as an escalation point for commercial issues and contractual interpretation.
• Mentor and develop Contract Managers and Assistant Contract Managers.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to align commercial delivery with programme strategy.
• Oversee high-value, high-risk, complex contract portfolios.
• Ensure contracts are managed in accordance with their terms and conditions.
• Drive supplier-enabled innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support the Commercial Team function with strategic negotiations and dispute avoidance/resolution.
• Ensure risks, performance and value opportunities are proactively managed.
• Make effective use of framework portfolio analysis to identify opportunities to work more closely with strategic suppliers, improve processes, or work differently to create additional value for EWR and its stakeholders.
• Act as a role model and ambassador for EWR's vision and values, behaving in ways that align with EWR Ways of Working, including encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
• Promote equality in the workplace and adopt appropriate behaviour when interacting with colleagues.
• Manage and support direct reports, including coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence, leading continuous improvement through regular performance management, and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and systems.
• Take responsibility for your own and others' health and safety by adopting and working to EWR Health and Safety principles.
• Demonstrate a cost-conscious mindset, keeping taxpayers' money at the forefront of decisions.
• Show commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• A strong background in NEC3/NEC4 contracts, with capability on large £5m+ contracts in the UK.
• A background in commercial and/or contract management.
• A track record of working on large, complex contracts.
• Working knowledge of the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, the Procurement Act 2023 and UK procurement regulations.
• Well-developed negotiation, financial and commercial skills.
• Able to lead through influence and manage senior stakeholders.
• A background in driving innovation and change.
• Knowledge of the UK rail industry and/or capital programmes.
• RICS, ICE or equivalent professional accreditation.
• A degree-level qualification in an aligned subject, or equivalent demonstrable project experience.
• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Diversity and Inclusion

At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and experiences.

If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.