Contracts Manager

Riverside-12e5e24d; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous pension

28 holidays + bank holidays

Flexible working options

Learning & development

Job summary

Riverside is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead a team of Building Surveyors/Project Surveyors in delivering a comprehensive investment programme for housing assets. The role is based in London with hybrid working and a salary of £64,871 per annum.

The post requires strong contract management, project leadership, and stakeholder engagement across multiple tenures, ensuring best-practice procurement and data governance. You will manage budgets and report on contract performance.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of contract implementation across mixed tenure properties.
• In‑depth knowledge of contract formation and types.
• Experience leading asset management procedures.
• Proven track record of using project management methodologies.
• Experience managing teams and performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop delivery of the investment programme for housing assets.
• Manage budgets and contract expenditure under financial controls.
• Oversee contract scoping, mobilisation and supplier appointments.
• Monitor performance using SLAs and KPIs and address underperformance.
• Maintain data integrity for service charge contracts and reporting.

Skills

Contract management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

RICS/CIOB membership

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

Job Title: Contracts Manager

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £64,871 per annum

Working Hours:35 hours per week

Working Pattern:Monday to Friday-Hybrid

Location: Arlington House, Camden, London

Please note that whilst we will accept applications based on any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.

The difference you will make as a Contracts Manager

You will support the Head of Asset Strategy & Delivery Housing (South & London) in the delivery of planned and reactive investment works, cyclical decorations, rationalisation identification, and supporting the overall investment for the region to achieve Decent Homes standards. Leading a team of Building Surveyors/Project Surveyors to ensure effective delivery of the required programme of works to underpin the Homes Strategy.

About you

We are looking for someone with

• A proven track record of successful contract implementation and management for a large and diverse portfolio of mixed tenure properties.
• In-depth knowledge of contract formation and contract types.
• Comprehensive knowledge of general operating procedures within an Asset Management function.
• In-depth knowledge of building regulations.
• Proven track record of using Project Management methodologies.

Why Riverside

At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.

We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay & generous pension
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.

Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.

This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview.

Role Profile

• Lead, motivate and engage with the Building Surveyors and Project Surveyors to ensure the delivery of a high-quality service, developing and implementing operational objectives, including key performance indicators and an effective communication strategy, to underpin the Homes Strategy including delivery of the required programme of works for an allocated number of Group residential properties of all tenures (excluding C&S properties).
• Develop, implement, and monitor the approach to contract management including associated policies, procedures and guidance, considering industry best practice and commercial requirements, proactively adopting new and innovative ideas and solutions to ensure continuous improvement of the service.
• Lead the scoping, specifying, mobilisation and implementation of an allocated number of new contracts, in conjunction with procurement colleagues, including assessing the competence of potential suppliers throughout the procurement process and acting as decision maker in terms of successful appointments, ensuring robust contract management arrangements are in place to effectively deliver the Asset Management Strategy.
• Undertake a review of existing contracted services, driving innovation and seeking out efficiencies and cost reduction opportunities, maintaining this approach on an ongoing basis with contractors over the contract lifecycle, identifying, implementing and monitoring improvement targets as appropriate.
• Monitor and report on contracts, developing and implementing the appropriate performance framework for each contract, including service level agreements and key performance indicators, leading contract and performance review meetings and dealing with underperformance, including escalation of issues as appropriate.
• Ensure the integrity and quality of data retained in relation to service charge contracts, to ensure compliance with procurement protocols and to enable cyclical and ad hoc analysis to be carried out and relevant reporting as required.
• Carry out cyclical and ad hoc analysis of contract data, producing associated reports including findings and recommendations for key stakeholders as required.
• Oversee the development, implementation and review of effective business procedures to support the contract management service, contributing to and influencing Group policies as appropriate.
• Provide a consultative service to management colleagues, including the Head of Asset Strategy & Delivery on sensitive and complex Asset Management contractual matters.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders effectively, including Procurement colleagues, Building Safety colleagues, Home Ownership and Housing Management colleagues and external suppliers, building constructive working relationships to deliver an effective contract management service on behalf of the Group.
• Develop and review relevant budgets, ensuring contract expenditure is robustly managed in line with the Group’s financial controls.
• Monitor payment transactions to ensure compliance with the purchasing system and associated processes, addressing and resolving issues as appropriate.
• Manage the performance and development of the Building Surveyors and Project Surveyors, providing expertise, coaching and other developmental support as required, ensuring a quality service is provided and underperformance is dealt with appropriately.
• Conduct regular reviews of the Contract Management service, collaborating with and seeking feedback from internal and external stakeholders, to identify efficiencies and continually improve the service provision. Improvement opportunities identified and realised should be in accordance with change management protocols.
• Work collaboratively with the leadership team to ensure effective delivery of the wider service.
• Ensure that all data protection requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.

Other Duties

• Line Management of the Delivery team, including the team administrator and Customer liaison officer
• Provide technical assistance, where required, to Development colleagues to ensure standards and specifications are aligned with investment standards.
• Deliver the stock condition surveying programme for the region using in-house surveyors to meet the department commitment.

Person specification

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven track record of successful contract implementation and management for a large and diverse portfolio of mixed tenure properties.
• In-depth knowledge of contract formation and contract types.
• Comprehensive knowledge of general operating procedures within an Asset Management function.
• In-depth knowledge of building regulations.
• Proven track record of using Project Management methodologies.
• Experience of successfully leading, managing and motivating teams, including managing team performance.
• Effective stakeholder management, both internally and external to the organisation, including the ability to successfully persuade and influence others.
• Results driven with strong analytical skills, including the ability to critically analyse complex information, and experience of providing meaningful management information.
• Commercially aware with a focus on continuous improvement and the ability to drive change.
• Customer focused with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work at all levels within the business.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities.
• Evidence of using sound judgement when making effective decisions.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Degree qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent
• Member of a professional body e.g. Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or equivalent.