Senior Contract Manager – Fleet Services - 31374

At the Environment Agency, we’re proud to foster an inclusive workplace where equal opportunities and flexible working arrangements—including compressed hours—are encouraged and supported. Our mission is to protect and enhance the natural environment, ensuring we leave the world in a better state than we found it. As part of our journey to becoming a net zero organisation, Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) plays a critical role in leading our transition to a more sustainable fleet.

We’re offering an exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced contract professional to drive meaningful change and help deliver on our ambitious fleet strategy. You will manage a team of specialists overseeing a diverse portfolio of purchase and service contracts for the Environment Agency and our Defra partners. You’ll work collaboratively across departments to identify business requirements, shape contract strategies, and lead procurement processes through to contract award.

As part of the contract management leadership team, you will be responsible for building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, managing full contract lifecycles, and ensuring compliance with environmental, legal, and health & safety standards. Incident response forms a vital part of our work. Training and participation will be required.

The team Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) is a national team within the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate. We provide a collaborative fleet management service across the Defra Group, working closely with other teams to define contract needs, procure fleet goods and services, and oversee supplier performance to ensure seamless service delivery. This role reports directly to the Strategic Fleet Manager.

Experience/skills Required: We’re looking for an accomplished Contract Manager with a proven track record of delivering commercial value through strategic contract oversight. This role calls for a confident leader who can:

• Act as the principal advisor on fleet contract matters, offering expert guidance and developing solutions within policy frameworks and best practice standards.
• Shape and influence fleet policy at both national and local levels, while ensuring consistent contract-aligned implementation and compliance.
• Design and implement performance monitoring systems, interpreting supplier data and operational insights to provide evidence-based recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build strong partnerships with both internal stakeholders and external providers to influence outcomes, enhance service delivery, and uphold the Environment Agency’s reputation.
• Lead and manage a geographically dispersed team, ensuring efficient planning, resource allocation, and delivery against objectives in a dynamic working environment.

Contact and additional information: As part of a national team the location is flexible. You may be required to work in EA offices and attend national meetings, possibly with some overnight stays. You will understand and be comfortable with the challenges of remote working and management. The post is Full Time but requests for other work patterns will be considered.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.