At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the full lifecycle of commercial contracts and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join Pennon Water Services, a leader in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus scheme, healthcare benefits, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while driving commercial excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
A leading water and wastewater retailer, Pennon Water Services (trading as Source for Business), supports over 150,000 business accounts across the UK. With a commitment to helping our customers lower their water use and save money, our team provides expert advice on water efficiency, leakage, and contingency.
We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Location: Bournemouth
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum
Pennon Water Services is looking for an experienced and commercially astute Senior Contracts Manager to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of the full contract lifecycle, ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance, and the delivery of commercial value across our customer, supplier, and service provider contracts.
As our Senior Contracts Manager, you will play a key role in supporting strategic business objectives by managing commercial contracts, driving governance excellence, mitigating risk, and building strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation.
The Role
The Contracts Manager is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of commercial contracts from award through to renewal, extension, or termination. The role will ensure contractual compliance, effective governance, commercial performance, and adherence to regulatory requirements within the UK water retail market.
You will establish and maintain robust contract governance processes, oversee renewals and change control activity, and provide meaningful contract performance insights to senior stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the full lifecycle of commercial contracts, including renewals, variations, and terminations.
- Lead contract renewals and negotiations, ensuring agreements are delivered on time and meet business needs.
- Maintain strong contract governance processes and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor contract performance, supplier and customer SLAs, risks, and contractual obligations.
- Identify opportunities to improve commercial value, reduce costs, and mitigate risks.
- Produce contract performance and governance reporting for senior stakeholders.
- Support procurement, tender activities, and contract audits as required.
- Maintain contract compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks, including Ofwat requirements, MOSL Market Codes, UK GDPR, procurement policies, and internal governance standards, ensuring risks are effectively managed and mitigated.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience in contract management, commercial management, procurement, or a similar role.
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills with experience managing complex contracts and renewals.
- Experience implementing contract governance, compliance, and risk management processes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Strong analytical, organisational, and reporting capabilities.
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements within a regulated industry (utilities or water sector experience desirable).
At Pennon Water Services, we believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Senior Contracts Manager you'll enjoy:
- Competitive Salary - Based on experience and skills
- Bonus Scheme - Rewarding your performance
- Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future
- Healthcare Benefits - Access to employee assistance programs
- Professional Development - Support for career growth with training opportunities
- Employee Discounts - On various products and services
- Generous Annual Leave - Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement
Join Pennon Water Services and help drive commercial excellence, strong governance, and long-term value across our contract portfolio.
Closing Date: Friday 16th July 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Contracts Manager, Senior Manager in Bournemouth employer: Pennon Water Services
At Pennon Water Services, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and innovation in the heart of Bournemouth. Our commitment to employee development is matched by our competitive salary packages, comprehensive benefits, and a strong focus on sustainability, making it a rewarding place to build your career while contributing to a greener future. Join us and be part of a team that values diversity, encourages individuality, and strives for excellence in the water sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager, Senior Manager in Bournemouth
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Pennon Water Services looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager, Senior Manager in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Pennon Water Services. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pennon Water Services
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Pennon Water Services’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
