Job Description
Contracts Manager
Job Type: Full-time, Temporary contract (initial 3 months)
Location: Reading, RG2
Salary: Competitive, to be discussed
We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to provide temporary cover within a busy Housing Repairs and Property Services team. This Contracts Manager position will lead a high-volume reactive repairs service, managing operational teams, contractors and subcontractors to ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with agreed performance standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a Contracts Manager who can quickly establish themselves in a fast-paced operational environment and maintain service continuity.
Day to day of the role
- Lead the delivery of a customer-focused reactive repairs and maintenance service across housing stock.
- Manage supervisors, trade operatives, agency workers, office staff and subcontractors to ensure high performance.
- Oversee contractor and subcontractor relationships, including quality assurance inspections and service standards.
- Monitor KPIs, analyse service performance data and implement improvements to drive efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Take responsibility for budget monitoring, forecasting and reporting on expenditure and income variances.
- Ensure all works are delivered in compliance with health and safety legislation, CDM requirements and other relevant regulations.
- Prepare work specifications for internal teams and external contractors where required.
- Handle complaints, member enquiries, FOI requests and briefing reports for senior stakeholders.
- Support service planning, continuous improvement initiatives and cross-cover for other operational managers.
- Participate in an out-of-hours managerial rota for non-standard site escalations.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Substantial experience managing responsive or reactive repairs services within social housing, local authority or contractor settings.
- Strong background in housing repairs and maintenance, including contractor and subcontractor management.
- Proven experience leading operational teams, including supervisors, trades and support staff.
- Good understanding of relevant repairs and maintenance legislation, including health and safety and CDM compliance.
- Experience managing budgets, monitoring costs and forecasting expenditure.
- Strong working knowledge of KPI reporting, service performance management and continuous improvement.
- Ability to manage employee relations matters, including appraisals, performance management, recruitment and disciplinary processes.
- Confident using IT systems, mobile working technology and performance monitoring tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce reports and respond to senior stakeholder queries.
Benefits
- Initial 3-month temporary assignment
- Opportunity to lead a high-profile reactive repairs service
- Key management role with immediate operational impact
- Varied position covering leadership, performance, compliance and budget management
- Depot-based role with regular on-site presence
- Collaborative working environment within a busy property services team
How to apply
To apply for this Contracts Manager position, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience in housing repairs, contractor management and operational leadership.