Commercial Contracts Manager in High Wycombe

Join to apply for the Commercial Contracts Manager role at Red Kite Community Housing.

Pay range: This range is provided by Red Kite Community Housing. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Overview: The post holder will play a central role in a commercial, customer-focused environment during a period of significant change. They will influence the future of property asset management services for Red Kite residents, setting new standards for performance, accountability, and customer experience. This role calls for someone who is commercially astute, data-driven, people-focused, and above all, dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of residents. Strong commercial leadership will be essential to ensure procurement, mobilisation, and contract management are delivered to the highest standards. Equally, the post holder will be expected to shape the organisational culture, guiding teams away from short-term, transactional arrangements toward collaborative, value-driven partnerships. The role demands both commercial acumen and a deep understanding of what effective, resident-focused service looks like at scale. It requires a proven leader with experience in dynamic environments, resilience under scrutiny, and the ability to balance immediate delivery needs with long-term transformation goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• This post carries responsibility for contract and supply chain management of all outsourced delivery across repairs, compliance, improvement and estate services. The priority will be to ensure all our suppliers are performing in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Procurement, mobilisation and contract management
• Embrace and live our values of Partnership, Respect and Pride.
• Safety: Ensuring a safe environment for all stakeholders, including colleagues, customers, and contractors, by adhering to safety standards, regulations, and best practices. Safety is integral to decision-making processes, with proactive measures taken to prevent accidents and mitigate risks.
• Customer Engagement: Building strong relationships with customers by understanding their needs, expectations, and feedback. Engaging with customers to co-create solutions and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• Colleague Engagement: Creating a collaborative and inclusive work environment where colleagues are encouraged to contribute, share ideas, and feel valued. Effective engagement leads to higher morale, productivity, and retention.
• Leadership and Management: Leading and managing teams effectively to achieve organisational goals. This includes setting expectations, managing the team’s performance, providing guidance, and supporting professional development.
• Business Performance Management: Tracking and analysing business performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and achieve strategic goals. This involves setting KPIs, monitoring progress, and implementing corrective actions.
• IT & Data Literacy: Competency in using information technology and data to enhance business operations, decision-making, and service delivery. This includes understanding how to analyse and apply data insights effectively.
• Risk & Issue Management: Identifying, assessing, and managing risks and issues that could impact project delivery or business operations. Effective management minimises negative impacts and ensures continuity.
• Budget & Cost Management: Effectively managing budgets and controlling costs to ensure financial sustainability and project success. This involves planning, forecasting, and monitoring expenses to stay within budget.
• Policy, Process and controls: Managing and maintaining procedures, processes, controls, and quality assurance measures across the organisation to ensure compliance, efficiency, consistency, and high standards of quality.
• Professionalism: Being honest, transparent, and accountable, and acting in the organisation's best interest. Consistently delivering on promises, meeting deadlines. Demonstrates a "can-do" attitude and contributes to a positive work environment. Respecting the privacy of sensitive information and handling confidential matters appropriately.
• Continuous Improvement: The ability to quickly respond to feedback, new information, or evolving circumstances. Staying up to date with best practices, new methodologies, and industry trends. Generating new ideas and thinking outside the box to find better ways of doing things. Setting clear, achievable improvement goals and using metrics to track progress.
• Accountability: Taking personal responsibility for tasks, projects, and outcomes. Consistently meeting deadlines, fulfilling promises, and delivering quality work as well.
• Transparency: Being open and honest about progress, challenges, or mistakes. Involves communicating clearly with stakeholders about the status of work and any potential issues.
• Contract Management: Managing contracts effectively to ensure that services and goods are delivered as agreed, within budget, and to the required standard. This includes overseeing compliance, performance, and any necessary negotiations.
• Project Management: Planning, executing, and closing projects successfully within scope, time, and budget. This competency involves coordinating resources, managing stakeholders, and ensuring project objectives are met.
• Commercial and Procurement Skills: In collaboration with our Procurement and Property team, manage procurement processes and commercial relationships to secure the best value for the organisation. This involves negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers. This involves regular communication, performance monitoring, and ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Partnership Working: Collaborating effectively with external partners, such as other organisations, communities, or government bodies, to achieve shared objectives and deliver better outcomes.
• Effective Cost Control: Develop and implement effective cost control strategies for the effective delivery of our services to tenants, ensuring our services and responsibilities are delivered within budget. Monitor budgets and financial controls. Assist with financial reporting and regular forecasting. Identify areas for efficiency and cost savings where feasible. Ensure compliance with financial regulations and Red Kite policies.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in a similar role in the housing sector or construction industry.
• Strong understanding of cost control principles and practices.
• Excellent analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Proficient in financial reporting.
• Strong negotiation skills and contract management experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Hold a minimum level 6 qualification, preferably in estimating or quantity surveying, supplemented with appropriate membership of either CIOB or RICS.
• Looking for a genuine step up into a Commercial Manager role.