Job Title: Contract Manager (Operations)

Location: London (Hybrid working available; base at Clerkenwell)

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly capable Contract Manager (Operations) to strengthen the management, governance, and optimisation of operational contracts within a large, values-driven organisation. This is a high-impact role offering autonomy, visibility, and influence across a diverse housing portfolio.

Reporting to the Head of Commercial Operations, you will lead the development and ongoing management of a robust contract management framework. This includes student, keyworker, market rent, co-operative, and short-life accommodation contracts. Your role will ensure contractual arrangements are effectively governed, performance-driven, and aligned with strategic objectives, while mitigating contractual, financial, legal, and reputational risks.

As a trusted subject-matter expert, you will work closely with internal teams and external partners to embed clarity, accountability, and compliance. The role focuses on assurance and insight, including performance monitoring, audits, risk management, and evidence-based reporting to senior leaders and the Board.

This position is ideal for someone comfortable operating in complex environments, leading through influence, and supporting executive-level decision-making while upholding core values of honesty, efficiency, accountability, respect, and trust.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive contract management framework for leases, management agreements, SLAs, and related contracts.
• Establish and operate governance and assurance structures for contractual performance, compliance, and risk.
• Provide expert guidance on contractual obligations to colleagues.
• Conduct audits and reviews to ensure compliance with legislation, regulation, and internal policies.
• Monitor provider performance against KPIs, service standards, and statutory requirements.
• Identify and address contractual and operational risks, leading corrective action plans.
• Manage relationships with partners, providers, local authorities, and internal stakeholders.
• Investigate and resolve contractual breaches, escalating where necessary.
• Lead contract variations, change control, and change-in-law activities, ensuring impacts are documented.
• Produce high-quality reports and insights for senior management, committees, and the Board.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract management processes, systems, and reporting.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a contract or governance professional, managing complex contractual arrangements.
• Strong assurance, compliance, and performance management capabilities.
• Ability to interpret contractual requirements and translate them into practical oversight.
• Analytical, influential, and credible, with the ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability.
• Comfortable leading without formal authority and working with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in risk management, audits, and performance reporting.
• Ability to produce clear, evidence-based reports for senior leadership.

If this sounds suitable for you, or someone you know, please send an updated copy of your CV to Sean Cloherty at Elevate Projects so we can discuss further.