At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage high-value contracts, ensuring performance and compliance.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on property and facilities management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop a specialist team and influence industry standards.
- Why this job: Shape the future of contract management and drive value for money.
- Qualifications: Experience in property management and complex contract oversight required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
The Head of Contracts Centre of Expertise role will be responsible for the governance, performance, and delivery of all Group Property contracts exceeding £800m including the flagship 'gold' integrated FM contract with ISS and business critical travel contract CTM. The role will ensure operational continuity, financial control, and service excellence by holding suppliers accountable to agreed KPIs, driving value for money, and proactively managing risk and compliance obligations.
Through effective oversight and strategic supplier management, the postholder will mitigate operational disruption, prevent cost leakage, and will enable the property function to support organisational priorities, including efficiency, sustainability, and workplace experience. The role demands a unique combination of commercial acumen, technical knowledge, and you will ideally have experience in property and facilities management services, alongside a proven track record in managing complex, high-value outsourced contracts.
As the key interface between Defra Group Property and external service providers, you will be expected to operate credibly at all levels - translating business needs into contractual outcomes and ensuring delivery through robust governance. The Head of Contracts – Centre of Expertise (CoE) provides strategic leadership and professional authority for contract management across the Defra Group Property function.
The role establishes and embeds industry leading contract management standards, governance, and assurance to ensure that all property related contracts are effectively managed, compliant, and delivering value for money. This is an existing role with the opportunity to be reshaped and developed as we refine our business needs and requirements, helping to further define its scope in alignment with industry standards and Government Functional Standards.
As the role matures, there is scope for it to expand in breadth and leadership responsibility, including the development of a supporting specialist team. The long‐term vision is for the role holder, and any future team, to operate as a central centre of expertise and capability hub for contract management for Defra Group Property.
The role will lead specialist contract management capability and support wider Property and Workplace teams to operate confidently and consistently within agreed contractual, commercial, and assurance frameworks. The role holds financial responsibility for contract performance, procurement activity on behalf of Defra Group Property, and advises senior leaders on contractual risk, performance improvement, efficiency, and service change.
The role will shape and influence the adoption of digital solutions to improve contract lifecycle management, insight, and reporting, but will not be accountable for technical system delivery.
Head of Contracts Centre of Expertise in West Bridgford employer: Government Recruitment Service
As the Head of Contracts Centre of Expertise at Defra Group, you will join a forward-thinking organisation committed to sustainability and operational excellence. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and professional growth, providing you with the opportunity to shape industry-leading contract management standards while working in a dynamic environment that values your expertise. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to delivering value for money, Defra Group is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers in property and facilities management.
Contact Detail:
Government Recruitment Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Contracts Centre of Expertise in West Bridgford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past successes in contract management and supplier oversight to the table. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their impact on operational continuity and financial control.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re excited to see how you can contribute to our mission of delivering value for money and service excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Contracts Centre of Expertise in West Bridgford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Contracts role. Highlight your experience in managing high-value contracts and any relevant property or facilities management expertise. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven value for money and managed supplier relationships effectively. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically about contract management. Discuss how you've implemented governance and compliance measures in past roles. We’re looking for someone who can lead and innovate!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Recruitment Service
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the key aspects of contract management, especially in relation to high-value contracts. Familiarise yourself with the specific KPIs and compliance obligations that are relevant to the role, as well as any recent trends in property and facilities management.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you would approach governance and performance delivery for complex contracts. Think about examples from your past experience where you've successfully driven value for money and mitigated risks, and be ready to share these insights during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this role involves leading a team and influencing senior leaders, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share specific instances where you've led teams to success or shaped strategic initiatives, particularly in contract management or related fields.
✨Engage with Digital Solutions
Since the role involves shaping the adoption of digital solutions for contract lifecycle management, brush up on the latest technologies in this area. Be ready to discuss how you can leverage digital tools to enhance reporting and insight, and how this aligns with the organisation's goals.
