Contract & Change Manager

Government Recruitment Service; West of England; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer scheme

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service is seeking a Contract & Change Manager to support Defra Group in managing its shared services contracts. The role focuses on governance, supplier engagement, change management, audits and ensuring contractual obligations are met across the portfolio.

You will collaborate with suppliers, the Framework Authority and Defra Group bodies to drive effective contract operation and evolution, manage risks, and reflect business priorities in contracts across multiple

Qualifications

• Support governance of Defra Group's shared services contracts and supplier relations.
• Coordinate change activity and ensure changes align with business requirements.
• Provide expert advice on contractual matters across multiple workstreams.
• Lead contract audit and assurance to ensure governance and compliance.
• Collaborate with internal groups to reflect business needs in contracts.

Responsibilities

• Uphold and enhance contract management across shared services by building relationships with suppliers, Framework Authority and internal stakeholders.
• Lead contractual change management, acting as the focal point for the RFC process.
• Utilise extensive knowledge of contractual arrangements to support negotiations balancing priorities and achieving outcomes.
• Lead and coordinate contract audit and assurance activity, addressing findings and recommendations.
• Work with GCS, Defra ALBs, departmental reps and Process Owners to align contracts with evolving business needs.
• Provide expert guidance on contractual, governance and supplier management matters.
• Support the Head of Contracts, Change and Improvements in identifying risks, dependencies and opportunities including the Synergy programme.
• Lead, motivate and develop team members, supporting recruitment and resilience.

Skills

Contract governance

Supplier engagement

Change management

Audit and assurance

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Governance

Team leadership

Job description

Contract & Change Manager

Defra Group receives a diverse range of shared services through the Government Shared Services Framework, delivered through outsourced providers and supporting critical business services across Defra Group. Operating within a complex landscape of contractual arrangements, stakeholders and governance structures, the Shared Services team plays a key role in ensuring contractual obligations are effectively managed and future business requirements are supported.

As Contract and Change Manager, you will support the Head of Contracts, Change and Improvements in managing key aspects of Defra Group's shared services contractual arrangements. The role has a particular focus on contract governance, supplier engagement, contractual change management, audit and assurance activities, and ensuring contractual obligations are effectively managed across the shared services portfolio.

Working closely with suppliers, the Framework Authority, Defra Group organisations and wider government stakeholders, you will lead activity that supports the effective operation and evolution of the shared services contract. You will provide expert advice on contractual matters, coordinate complex change activity, manage contractual risks and dependencies, and help ensure that business requirements, strategic priorities and transformation initiatives are appropriately reflected within contractual arrangements.

This is a varied and influential role, requiring strong stakeholder management, commercial awareness and the ability to operate confidently across multiple workstreams, bringing together contractual, governance and strategic considerations to support the successful delivery of Shared Services across Defra Group.

• Uphold and enhance effective contract management across Defra Group's shared services arrangements by establishing and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, the Framework Authority, internal stakeholders and wider government partners. Work across organisational boundaries to understand cross-cutting contractual issues, support their resolution and promote Defra Group's Shared Services strategic objectives.


• Lead the management of contractual change, acting as the focal point for the Request for Change (RFC) process. Work with stakeholders, suppliers and programme teams to assess, negotiate and implement contractual changes, ensuring proposals are effectively governed and aligned to business requirements, contractual obligations and strategic priorities.


• Utilise extensive knowledge of contractual arrangements and supplier management principles within a multi-customer environment to support effective decision-making. Take a leading role in negotiations between stakeholders, suppliers and the Framework Authority, balancing differing priorities and achieving successful contractual outcomes through the application of best practice contract management techniques.


• Lead and coordinate contract audit and assurance activity, working with stakeholders and suppliers to ensure contractual compliance, appropriate governance and effective management of audit findings, recommendations and resulting actions.


• Work collaboratively with Group Corporate Services (GCS) functions, Defra ALBs, departmental representatives and Process Owners to understand emerging business requirements, assess contractual implications and ensure contractual arrangements continue to support organisational objectives and strategic change initiatives.


• Provide expert advice and guidance on contractual, governance and supplier management matters, developing solutions to complex issues within contractual, policy and best practice frameworks.


• Support the Head of Contracts, Change and Improvements in identifying and managing contractual risks, dependencies and opportunities arising from changing business needs, government policy developments and transformation activity, including impacts associated with the Synergy programme.


• Lead, motivate and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and professional culture, supporting recruitment activity and ensuring the team has the capability and resilience required to deliver its objectives.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company: Government Recruitment Service

Salary: £58,207 to £71,178 a year

Hours: Full-time

Location: Bristol

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 2 Nov 2026

Closing date: 15 Nov 2026

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.