Contract Manager

Job Introduction

About us

Providing services to over 750,000 residents, supporting them at the most vulnerable times in their lives, and working across rural and urban communities with some of the most fantastic heritage and landscapes in the country. It is a significant responsibility, and the Commercial & Procurement Service sits at the heart of the organisation.

We are transforming our approach, moving away from a traditional procurement service to driving a more commercial mindset across the Council. This means finding new and innovative ways of delivering value from savings to service improvements, from innovation in delivery to shaping the environment, economy, and communities that we partner with. As part of this transformation, we’re expanding our new Commercial & Procurement Service and structuring ourselves around 4 pillars:

Strategic Commercial Partnering – senior commercial experts working closely with senior stakeholders to identify and explore long-term opportunities, scan the horizon for opportunities and risks, and bringing new commercial delivery models to the table (such as joint ventures, Local Authority Trading Companies, and a range of investment options).

Commercial Service Delivery – the engine room of the service delivering the day-to-day projects from insourcing, outsourcing, and re-procurements, utilising the new freedoms under the Procurement Act 2023 to craft the most effective commercial processes to achieve the outcomes we want to achieve for our residents.

Contract & Supplier Management – setting the standard for ‘excellent’ contract management across the Council, working with our decentralised contract manager community to professionalise our capability, and leading the contract & supplier management activity for our most complex and strategically critical agreements.

Commercial Excellence – from providing analytics, developing our commercial system roadmap, curating a commercial curriculum, to setting our policies, developing templates and tools, and supporting driving the efficacy of our service as a whole, the Excellence team underpin our efforts to drive more commerciality across the Council.

As a service we’re committed to recruiting on potential. The details below set out the specifics of the role we’re recruiting for, and we want to encourage anyone with relevant experience to apply who is motivated by the Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) mission to support our residents and wants to be part of a transformation of a commercial & procurement service.

At OCC, you’ll be part of a team that’s not only passionate about what we do - but also about how we do it. We foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and continuous improvement, and we’re proud to offer flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a strong sense of purpose in everything we do.

Our core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Always learning
• Be kind and care
• Equality and integrity in all we do
• Taking responsibility
• Daring to do it differently

If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference and lead through values, we’d love to hear from you.

About the role

As a Contract Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, you will play a leading role in ensuring the Council delivers the vital services that residents rely upon. You’ll manage a designated portfolio of contracts, ensuring suppliers deliver against their obligations and incremental value is achieved throughout the life of each agreement. This is a proactive, cross-functional role where you’ll manage risks and opportunities, working across service boundaries to maximise impact. That means a broad definition of value from service quality, to cost improvements, implementing innovation, and delivering social value and sustainability initiatives.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrate best practice in the implementation of the organisation’s contract management standards.
• Lead contract management activities on designated contracts, ensuring compliance with all contractual obligations.
• Help build and maintain a clear picture of the subcontract relationships that OCC relies upon, mapping risks and dependencies to build mitigation strategies.
• Work with various departments to ensure contract management processes are aligned with organisational goals.
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of contracts to identify and mitigate risks, maximise opportunities, and deliver incremental value throughout the contract life.
• Ensure a smooth mobilisation and transition process for all new contracts, smooth exits for all expiring or terminated contracts, and effective business continuity provisions are in place for unexpected circumstances.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the wider Commercial & Procurement Service to ensure contract management requirements are factored in throughout the commercial lifecycle.
• Monitor contract performance and implement corrective actions as necessary to address any issues.
• Provide advice and support to senior management on contract management matters related to your contract portfolio.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and stakeholders.
• Ensure that all contract management activities are conducted in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

About You

• Experience managing a portfolio of complex and/or operationally critical contracts.
• Experience delivering improvements and innovation for active contracts.
• Local Government experience (desirable, not essential).
• Good communication skills, able to articulate complex concepts in a coaching and supportive way.
• Excellent persuasion and negotiating skills, able to influence outcomes and provide constructive challenge to senior managers.
• Proactive problem-solving skills, able to look for opportunities and manage risk.
• Commercial awareness, with an ability to understand cost drivers, value for money, and identify opportunities for delivering greater value.
• Ability to join the dots across commercial activity, identify the implications of proposals, and develop options to maximise value.
• MCIPS, IACCM/WCC, NEC qualified or equivalent commercial/contract management qualification, or willingness to work towards if not already held.

Before applying, we recommend reviewing the attached job summary. It has further information and clear guidance on what we’re looking for.
Could this be you?

Rewards and benefits

• Hybrid working – with flexibility to suit your role and lifestyle
• Culture of flexible working
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your growth
• Technology to support agile working, including unlimited access to Copilot for smarter productivity
• Employee Assistance Programme – including health and wellbeing support
• Generous annual leave – 30 days plus bank holidays, and an option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local Government Pension Scheme – with employer contributions up to 19.9%
• Discounts – local and national offers for shopping and travel

Application process

• If you are interested in this role, please submit your application by 20th March 2026.
• When applying, please upload a current CV and a personal statement:
  CV: Include your employment history and relevant experience.
  Personal Statement: Describe how your skills and experience align with the role, referring to the essential criteria and person specification.
• The job description sets out our ideal, but we value diverse strengths and potential. If your experience aligns with much of what we’re looking for, please consider applying.
• Shortlisting is expected to take place week commencing 23rd March 2026.
• Interviews are expected to take place soon after. Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
• For informal enquiries or further information about the role, please contact Kirsty Bridewell, Kirsty.Bridewell@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
 
Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
  
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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk