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- Tasks: Lead contract management and governance for diverse housing projects.
- Company: Southern Housing, committed to creating safe communities.
- Benefits: £27.95 per hour, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a values-led organisation with a focus on community and accountability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in housing while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55800 - 55800 £ per year.
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.
Contract Manager (operations) in London employer: Wax Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Wax Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager (operations) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the housing and contract management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Southern Housing’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of creating safe communities. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers. Focus on demonstrating your expertise in contract management and your ability to handle complex situations. Confidence is key, so let your skills shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Southern Housing. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager (operations) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Contract Manager role. Highlight your experience with contract management frameworks and governance structures, as these are key to what we're looking for at Southern Housing.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past roles that show how you've successfully managed contracts, led audits, or improved performance. We want to see how you can bring value to our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, showing us why you're the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received properly and allows us to process it more efficiently. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wax Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the types of contracts you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with leases, management agreements, and SLAs relevant to the role. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise in contract management.
✨Showcase Your Governance Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with governance structures and how you've ensured compliance in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've monitored performance against KPIs and managed risks effectively. This will highlight your ability to operate in complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
Since the role requires strong analytical skills, come ready to share specific instances where you've used data to drive decisions or improvements. Discuss how you've conducted audits or reviews and the impact of your findings on operational performance.
✨Emphasise Your People Skills
As a Contract Manager, you'll need to build relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare to talk about how you've successfully collaborated with internal teams and external partners. Highlight your ability to influence without authority and how you've driven accountability in past projects.