Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT vendor contracts, negotiate agreements, and ensure top-notch service delivery.
- Company: Join Gist, a dynamic logistics partner for M&S, focused on safety and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, M&S discounts, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT vendor management and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive culture for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Working in partnership with M&S, at Gist we deliver industry-leading logistics and supply chain transformation. At Gist, safety and people sit at the heart of everything we do. We value individuality and create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic self to work, contribute meaningfully, and make a real impact. We’re looking for a proactive, commercially minded, and relationship‑driven IT Vendor Contract Manager to lead the strategic and operational management of our IT supplier ecosystem. This is a pivotal role responsible for maximising value from our technology partnerships, ensuring contractual and commercial rigor, and enabling high‑performing IT service delivery across the organisation.
You’ll oversee vendor relationships, contract lifecycles, renewals, governance, and spend management—ensuring our suppliers deliver the performance, compliance, and cost effectiveness our business depends on. If you excel at negotiation, stakeholder collaboration, and bringing structure to complex commercial environments, this could be the perfect opportunity.
What’s in it for you? Gist is an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and evolving business built on our core values. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for Gist just that little bit more special:
- 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion and food
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
- Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
- Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
- Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
- Amazing perks and discounts via our App to major restaurants and retailers
- Access to a wide range of wellbeing support – including our Employee Assistance Programme
- A first‑class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to help with your learning and development
- Cycle to work scheme
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working pattern: Monday - Friday with flexibility to meet the business needs
What you’ll do:
- Contract Management
- Lead the negotiation, review, and management of MSAs, SOWs, service contracts, and renewals
- Lead commercial negotiations for Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), renewals, and service contracts to secure favourable terms and ensure alignment with organisational standards
- Ensure all contracts meet commercial, operational, and compliance requirements
- Maintain an accurate and accessible repository of all agreements, documentation, and contractual obligations
- Oversee the contract renewal schedule, ensuring timely reviews, risk assessment, and alignment with business, technology, and service delivery requirements
- Provide financial insight to support technology budget planning, renewals, and investment decisions
- Ensure all vendors meet contractual terms, SLAs, internal governance frameworks, and regulatory obligations
- Support procurement, legal, and risk teams on tenders, RFPs, audits, and due‑diligence activities
- Reporting & Insights
- Deliver regular reporting on vendor performance, spend, service levels, and commercial risk
- Provide insight and recommendations that influence technology strategy and support operational excellence
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with service delivery teams to resolve vendor issues, manage escalations, and support service continuity
- Partner with procurement, finance, legal, and technology stakeholders to drive alignment and value
- Lead and facilitate Key Account supplier review meetings, ensuring all discussions, decisions, risks, and actions are fully documented, tracked, and followed through to completion
Who you are:
- Proven experience in IT vendor, commercial, or contract management roles
- Strong understanding of contract negotiation, vendor performance management, licensing, and commercial governance
- Experience in budgeting, spend management, and financial planning
- Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
- Experience collaborating with procurement, legal, finance, and technology teams
- ITIL Foundation or similar certification (desirable)
- Detail‑Oriented: You manage contracts, documentation, and spend data meticulously
- Commercially Astute: You understand cost drivers, negotiate favourable terms, and spot value opportunities
- Analytical Thinker: You interpret financial and performance data to drive insight‑led decisions
- Negotiator: You secure value and protect the organisation’s interests with confidence and diplomacy
- Organised & Methodical: You manage multiple contracts, deadlines, and workflows efficiently
- Problem Solver: You address vendor issues, discrepancies, and process gaps proactively
- Collaborative: You build productive cross‑functional relationships
- Ethical & Trustworthy: You handle sensitive commercial information with integrity
- Resilient & Adaptable: You thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic, and evolving environment
Why Gist? At Gist we are united by our core values; with safety and people at the heart of everything we do, we are progressive, accountable, collaborative, and ethical. Our objective is to establish a performance‑focused environment that is fair and inclusive, where everyone can develop, and connect meaningfully to their manager, the Gist vision, and M&S. We are fiercely protective of everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing, and align firmly to M&S’s sustainability commitments in Plan A. Gist will play an integral part in the M&S journey as it pushes boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring era. As part of the M&S group, there’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Join us and make an immediate impact.
Gist aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment. If it’s meaningful to you, it’s important to us.
IT Contract Manager in Basingstoke employer: Gist Limited
Contact Detail:
Gist Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Contract Manager in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that IT Contract Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience in contract management and vendor relationships. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them see what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on common questions related to negotiation and stakeholder management, so you can confidently showcase your expertise when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application directly, so don’t hesitate to submit your details on our platform. It’s the best way to ensure we notice your talent and fit for the role at Gist.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Contract Manager in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the IT Contract Manager role. Highlight your contract management experience and any relevant achievements to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Gist and how your values align with ours. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since negotiation is key in this role, share specific examples of successful negotiations you've led. This will demonstrate your ability to secure favourable terms and manage vendor relationships effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gist Limited
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of contracts you'll be managing, like MSAs and SOWs. Familiarise yourself with key terms and conditions, as well as any recent changes in legislation that might affect contract management.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you secured favourable terms for your organisation. Highlight your approach to balancing stakeholder needs while ensuring compliance and value. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex commercial environments.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've interpreted vendor performance metrics or financial data to influence technology strategy and improve service delivery.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Emphasise your experience in collaborating with various teams, such as procurement, finance, and legal. Share specific instances where your relationship-building skills helped resolve vendor issues or improved service continuity, showcasing your proactive and collaborative nature.