Contract Performance Manager

Places for People; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Bonus scheme (2%)

35 days holiday incl. bank holidays

Healthcare cashback plan

Job summary

Places for People seeks a Contract Performance Manager to ensure contractor partners deliver safe, high-quality, value-for-money services across Repairs Operations. You will monitor performance, support procurement strategies, lead tenders, review KPIs and drive continuous improvement with a focus on compliance and customer outcomes.

Based remotely with occasional travel to the Preston office, you will collaborate with Procurement, Finance and Field Operations to optimise service delivery and

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing contractor performance, quality and costs within construction, repairs, housing or related environment.
• Strong experience in contract management, project management, programme management and budget control.
• Demonstrable experience supporting procurement, tender evaluations and contractor framework management.
• Knowledge of contract law, construction contracts and pricing/payment arrangements.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent extensive professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor contractor performance, challenge costs and review KPIs to maximise service delivery.
• Lead procurement activities, tenders and mini-tenders, and ensure contract management processes are applied.
• Contribute to budgeting/financial planning, identify risks and opportunities, and report performance insights.
• Support development of procurement strategies and contractor frameworks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.

Skills

Contract management

Performance monitoring

Cost control

Data-driven insights

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

More about your role

As our Contract Performance Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring our contractor partners deliver safe, high-quality and value for money services across our Repairs Operations function. Working closely with Procurement, Finance, Field Operations and wider operational teams, you'll monitor contractor performance, challenge costs, review KPIs and help maximise service delivery for our customers.

You'll support the development of procurement strategies and contractor frameworks, lead tender and mini-tender activities, and ensure contract management processes are consistently applied. You'll also contribute to budgeting and financial planning, identify risks and opportunities, scrutinise contractor charging, and provide insight through performance reporting. Working alongside the Head of Contractor Management, you'll help drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and policies while ensuring compliance with regulatory, statutory and health and safety requirements.

While this is a home based role, there will be occasional travel to our Preston office, so we're looking for someone who is based within a reasonable distance of this location.

Essential criteria

• Proven experience managing contractor performance, quality and costs within a construction, repairs, housing or related environment.
• Strong experience in contract management, project management, programme management and budget control.
• Demonstrable experience supporting procurement, tender evaluations and contractor framework management.
• Knowledge of contract law, construction contracts and associated pricing and payment arrangements.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent extensive professional experience.

More about you

You're a commercially minded contract management professional who enjoys using data, insight and performance measures to improve service delivery. You have strong experience managing contractors and can confidently balance quality, compliance and cost considerations while maintaining a customer-first approach.

You'll have a methodical and analytical approach, with the ability to identify risks, review financial performance and challenge areas that do not represent value for money. Ideally, you'll bring knowledge of contract and cost management systems, an understanding of construction-related contracts and professional membership of a relevant chartered body. You'll be comfortable working with a range of stakeholders and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across a complex operational environment.

Benefits

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.

We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays) with the option to buy or sell days
• Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs, with private GP and health support services available
• Comprehensive wellbeing support including counselling, flu jabs, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to our Wellbeing Hub, supporting your mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Access to Our Place Rewards, offering discounts and savings on groceries, travel, shopping, home products and other lifestyle purchases
• Ongoing training, professional qualifications, internal development programmes and career progression opportunities
• Recognition programmes including Star Awards and Colleague Awards, celebrating achievements and recognising great work
• Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
• Free membership to Places Gyms
• Life Assurance to provide financial security for your loved ones, alongside access to will writing services to help you plan for the future with confidence