Contract Manager in Fairford

Contract Manager in Fairford

Fairford Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
VIVO Defence

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead contract delivery and ensure top-notch service across multiple sites.
  • Company: VIVO, a forward-thinking facilities management provider for the UK military.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days leave, company car, and private medical cover.
  • Other info: Hybrid work structure with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.

Location: RAF Fairford, hybrid role to cover Menwith Hill, RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth and RAF Croughton

Permanent, Full time

Salary: Competitive + Benefits

We are looking for an experienced and driven Contract Manager to take ownership of operational delivery across a key VIVO Defence contract. This is a senior role responsible for ensuring excellent service delivery, strong customer relationships, effective contract performance and continuous improvement across multiple sites.

As Contract Manager, you will act as the senior VIVO representative for key stakeholders, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Heads of Establishment and customer representatives, ensuring that contractual requirements are consistently met and that service standards remain high. You will lead the successful delivery of estate management activities, ensuring maintenance, compliance, resources and operational outputs are effectively managed against agreed targets and financial objectives.

You will oversee day‑to‑day contract performance, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with statutory requirements, JSP standards and VIVO processes. This will include managing operational teams, Authorised Persons and supply chain partners, ensuring the right resources, skills and controls are in place to deliver high‑quality outcomes.

A key part of the role will be building strong collaborative relationships with customers, stakeholders and supply chain partners. You will act as a trusted point of contact, resolving issues, managing expectations and driving improvements in service delivery. You will support the development of Relationship Improvement Plans and work closely with stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and enhance customer experience.

You will provide leadership across operational teams, creating a positive culture focused on safety, accountability and continuous improvement. You will support the development of colleagues, ensuring teams have the skills, guidance and support needed to perform effectively and deliver against contract objectives.

The role also carries responsibility for commercial and technical performance, including budget management, supply chain performance, KPI reporting and risk management. You will monitor contract performance, identify improvement opportunities and implement solutions that improve efficiency, value for money and service quality.

You will ensure strong governance across the contract, supporting compliance with health and safety legislation, environmental requirements and operational standards. This includes overseeing safe systems of work, supporting audits, maintaining assurance processes and ensuring risks are identified and effectively managed.

About You

You will have proven experience managing contracts, operations or service delivery within construction, facilities management, property maintenance or a similar environment. You will be confident leading teams, managing performance and delivering services within commercial and operational targets.

You will have experience overseeing multi‑site operations, working with supply chains and managing stakeholders at a senior level. Strong knowledge of estate management, maintenance delivery, safe systems of work and compliance requirements is essential, with experience in a regulated or complex environment highly desirable.

You will be commercially aware, with experience managing budgets, reviewing financial performance and making decisions that balance quality, cost and customer requirements. You will be confident analysing performance data, identifying risks and implementing improvements to drive better outcomes.

Strong leadership and communication skills are essential, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective relationships across all levels. You will be proactive, organised and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a focus on safety, quality and customer satisfaction.

Relevant health and safety training, JSP 375 awareness and experience within an MOD environment would be advantageous. You will also need strong IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications, and the ability to achieve and maintain SC Clearance.

What We Offer

  • 6% employee matched pension contribution
  • 25 days annual leave
  • Company car/Car allowance
  • Bonus
  • 1x professional subscription
  • Private medical cover for self and partner

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

Contract Manager in Fairford employer: VIVO Defence

VIVO is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while delivering top-notch facilities management services to the UK military. With a strong commitment to open communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement, VIVO fosters a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and development. Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous benefits including a matched pension contribution, and the opportunity to work in a hybrid role across multiple RAF locations, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

VIVO Defence

Contact Details:

VIVO Defence Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Contract Manager in Fairford

Join Construction Networks

Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!

Show Off Your Skills on Site

If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.

Utilise Construction Job Sites

Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like VIVO Defence, to express your interest!

Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles

Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Contract Manager at VIVO Defence.

We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager in Fairford

Contract Management
Operational Delivery
Customer Relationship Management
Performance Management
Continuous Improvement
Estate Management
Compliance Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.

Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.

Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.

How to prepare for a job interview at VIVO Defence

Brush Up on Technical Knowledge

For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.

Showcase Your Projects

Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.

Understand the Team Dynamics

Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.

Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving

Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!