Contract Manager (operations) - Interims

At Southern Housing, our vision is to create communities where everyone has a safe home in a place they’re proud to live. We’re a large, values-led organisation with a strong local presence, using our scale to deliver positive outcomes for residents and communities. Strong governance, accountability and clear contractual control are central to how we do this.

We’re now seeking a highly capable Contract Manager (Operations) to play a pivotal role in strengthening how we manage, govern and optimise our operational contracts. This is a high-impact role offering real autonomy, visibility and influence across a diverse housing portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Commercial Operations, you’ll lead the development and ongoing management of a robust contract management framework across student, keyworker, market rent, co-operative and short-life accommodation.

You’ll ensure contractual arrangements are effectively governed, performance-driven and aligned with our strategic objectives and risk appetite, helping to mitigate contractual, financial, legal and reputational risk. You’ll act as a trusted subject-matter expert, working closely with internal teams and external partners to embed clarity, accountability and compliance. The role has a strong focus on assurance and insight: monitoring performance, leading audits and reviews, managing risk and breaches, and providing clear, evidence-based reporting to senior leaders, committees and the Board.

You’ll also help shape KPIs, SLAs and performance frameworks to ensure strong delivery and value for money. This role will suit someone comfortable operating in complex environments, leading through influence and supporting executive-level decision-making while consistently demonstrating our HEART values of being Honest, Efficient, Accountable, Respectful and Trusted. Hybrid working is available, with a base at Fleet House, Clerkenwell, London.

What you’ll be doing:

• Developing, implementing and maintaining a comprehensive contract management framework covering leases, management agreements, SLAs and related contracts
• Establishing and operating effective governance and assurance structures for contractual performance, compliance and risk
• Acting as the organisational subject-matter expert on contractual obligations, providing clear guidance and support to colleagues
• Conducting audits and reviews to ensure compliance with legislation, regulation and internal policy
• Monitoring provider performance against KPIs, service standards and statutory requirements
• Proactively identifying contractual and operational risks and leading corrective action plans
• Managing key relationships with partners, providers, local authorities and internal stakeholders
• Investigating, documenting and resolving contractual breaches and poor performance, escalating where required
• Leading on contract variations, change control and change-in-law activities, ensuring impacts are clearly understood and formally recorded
• Producing high-quality reports and insight for senior management, committees and the Board
• Driving continuous improvement in contract management processes, systems and reporting

Who we’re looking for:

You’ll be an experienced contract or governance professional, confident working with complex contractual arrangements and multiple stakeholders. You’ll bring strong assurance, compliance and performance management capability, with the ability to interpret contractual requirements and translate them into practical, operational oversight. Credible, analytical and influential, you’ll be comfortable challenging constructively, leading without formal authority, and driving accountability and value for money.

Why join us:

This is a rare opportunity to step into a role with genuine authority, visibility and strategic reach. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, shaping how the organisation manages contractual risk and performance across a diverse and high-value portfolio. For a high-potential professional seeking a role that combines autonomy, complexity and purpose while offering clear exposure to executive-level decision-making, Southern Housing provides a compelling and meaningful next step.