External Contracts Manager

Abri; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Abri is seeking an experienced External Contracts Manager to oversee passenger lift servicing, maintenance and compliance across our communal housing stock. You will manage contracts, lead delivery of inspection and maintenance programmes, and drive improvements with contractors and internal stakeholders.

You will travel regularly across our operating area to sites, engage with customers, and ensure safety, compliance and value for money.

Qualifications

• HNC level in a building-related discipline or equivalent housing association/contract role experience.
• Knowledge of CDM and Asbestos regulations.
• Experience creating, procuring, and managing contracts for building works and related services.
• Ability to plan, project manage and execute works efficiently.
• Proficiency with office software and maintenance management software.
• Commercially astute with best-value decision making.
• Full driving licence with access to a car and willingness to travel across Abri geographies.
• Demonstrable analytical and strong financial capabilities.
• Personal drive and alignment with Abri values and behaviours.

Responsibilities

• Managing passenger lift contracts and contractor performance across housing portfolio.
• Planning, specifying and delivering inspection, servicing and maintenance programmes.
• Procuring works in line with regulations and budget approvals.
• Identifying and managing remedial and maintenance works for compliance.
• Monitoring contractor performance, service delivery and value for money.
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety and CDM requirements.
• Leading customer engagement throughout projects, including Section 20 consultations where required.
• Driving continuous improvement to safety, reliability and satisfaction.
• Travel across operating area to site visits and contractor meetings.

Skills

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Procurement contracts

Project management

CDM & Asbestos

Driving licence

Financial analysis

Maintenance software

Travel readiness

Housing association experience

Values & behaviours

Commercial awareness

Education

HNC in building discipline

Tools

Maintenance management software

Job description

Are you an experienced Contracts Manager with a passion for delivering safe, high-quality services and driving continuous improvement? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for an External Contracts Manager to join our Property Care - Customer Safety Team, taking responsibility for the management and performance of our passenger lift servicing, maintenance and compliance contracts across our communal housing stock. This is a pivotal role that directly supports Abri's commitment to providing safe, reliable homes and excellent services to our customers.

Working alongside specialist contractors and key internal stakeholders, you'll lead the delivery of inspection, servicing, maintenance and improvement programmes, ensuring contractual, financial and performance expectations are consistently achieved. You'll build strong, productive relationships with our supply partners, while providing the challenge, scrutiny and leadership needed to drive innovation, accountability and service excellence.

Using your contract and supplier management expertise, you'll be responsible for:

Managing passenger lift contracts and contractor performance across our housing portfolio.

Planning, specifying and delivering inspection, servicing and maintenance programmes.

Procuring works in line with procurement regulations, contractual requirements and budget approvals.

Identifying and managing remedial and maintenance works to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.

Monitoring contractor performance, service delivery and value for money outcomes.

Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety legislation and CDM (Construction Design and Management) requirements.

Leading customer engagement throughout projects, including consultation activities where required under Section 20 legislation.

Driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, reliability and customer satisfaction.

To succeed in this role, you'll ideally have experience within a housing association, local authority, property services or building compliance environment, together with strong contract management, stakeholder engagement and problem‑solving skills. You'll be confident influencing contractors, challenging poor performance and leading positive change.

This is a field‑based role and flexibility is essential. You'll regularly travel across our operating area to visit sites, meet contractors and collaborate with colleagues.

You should live within Abri's operating geography and be able to travel to one of our main offices in:

London (W10 5BN)

If you're looking for an opportunity where you can make a tangible difference to customer safety, influence service performance, and shape the future delivery of lift services across a large housing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

• Qualified to HNC level in a building related discipline and / or demonstrable experience of working in a similar role within a housing association or contractor.
• Knowledge of relevant statutory obligations related to the construction industry and housing sector e.g., CDM & Asbestos regulations.
• Experience of creating, procuring, and managing contracts for building works and related services.
• Ability to organise, plan, project manage and execute works efficiently.
• Understanding of office software packages and an appreciation of the opportunities presented by software designed specifically for maintenance management.
• Commercially astute with the ability to demonstrate best value in decision making.
• Must hold a full driving licence with access to a car. Will require business insurance for use in connection with the role and a willingness to travel across all geographical areas covered by Abri. Demonstrable analytical skills encompassing strong financial capabilities.
• Having personal drive and ambition to make a difference.
• Demonstrate our Values and Behaviours.