Head of Contracts - Enabling

The Head of Contract Enabling plays a pivotal role in driving NAAFI’s corporate strategy for contract development, overseeing the creation of new business opportunities and monitoring contract portals to identify viable prospects. This role leads on assessing commercial potential and shaping high quality contract proposals that align with our strategic priorities. You’ll ensure that every opportunity progresses through a rigorous, well governed process, from initial bid through to operational readiness, maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, stability, risk assurance, and performance. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in Facilities Management, Bid Management, or Contract Management at a senior leadership level, ideally with an affinity or connection to the Armed Forces.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a high performing team of contract enablers and project specialists ensuring all contracts transition seamlessly through the bidding and award process.
• Serve as the senior advisor to the Executive Team on mobilisation risk, delivery readiness, and contract integrity.
• Deliver new business proposals to the Executive review panel to ensure high‑quality sign‑off.
• Ensure the robust delivery of the full bid lifecycle, including opportunity assessment, kick‑off meetings, drafting, reviews, and submission.
• Validate pricing assumptions, contractual KPIs, service levels, and compliance standards.
• Lead internal due diligence across finance, HR, procurement, technology, and operations and collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure all new business is sound and deliverable.
• Ensure all commitments made during bidding are deliverable under the NAAFI 5 Pillars and translated into the relevant SLA’s and operational plans.
• Oversee a mobilisation roadmap of delivery requirements for Head of Contracts Delivery (HoDC) and operations ensuring robust understanding of service delivery requirements and complete readiness for service commencement.
• Ensure controls for regulatory, legal, and contractual compliance are understood, documented and communicated from mobilisation onwards.
• Support the HoCD in the transition from bid award to delivery readiness by sharing mobilisation documents.
• Collaborate with the HoDC and operations to align resources, processes, and timelines for contract go‑live, ensuring all contractual requirements are understood, documented, and communicated clearly.
• Develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate knowledge sharing and bid efficiency.
• Engage with the relevant MOD partners as required to clarify tender requirements or support joint bids.
• Support the wider Senior Management and Executive Team as required.

Person specification:

We’re looking for a highly capable senior professional with the credibility and experience to lead complex contract development and mobilisation activities. As this is a newly created role within our expanding organisation, we are seeking someone who is agile, adaptable, and comfortable shaping processes in a fast moving environment. The successful candidate will understand that the remit of this position will continue to evolve and grow over time as our business scales and our strategic priorities develop.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A strong understanding of commercial bidding, contract structures, KPIs, and regulatory requirements.
• Extensive experience in large‑scale contract mobilisation or multi‑site service delivery.
• Proven senior leadership experience with the ability to influence effectively across multiple functions.
• Deep expertise in risk management, financial validation, and performance governance.
• Relevant professional accreditation such as PRINCE2, MSP, or APMP.
• Experience operating within regulated or complex environments (e.g., public services, health, facilities, or infrastructure).
• A track record of delivering transformation or organisational change programmes.
• Willingness to travel globally on a regular basis.

Key Information & Benefits:

• Full‑time (39hpw), permanent position.
• Hybrid working based from our UK Support Office (Whiteley & Portsmouth), with three days per week in the office.
• Competitive annual bonus scheme of up to 35%.
• Company car.
• Private Medical Insurance and Cash Health Plan.
• Enhanced holiday entitlement, starting at 33 days per year and increasing with service.
• Company pension scheme.
• 15% staff discount and access to Blue Light Discounts.
• An opportunity to be part of an expanding not‑for‑profit organisation that proudly supports and gives back to the Armed Forces community.