ICT Contract & Vendor Manager

Manchester City Council; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave up to 31 days

Extra leave up to 2 weeks

Volunteering leave 3 days

35-hour work week

Job summary

Manchester City Council is seeking an ICT Contract & Vendor Manager to lead management of ICT contracts, suppliers and commercial relationships. The role focuses on value for money, risk management and delivering high-quality digital services across the Council’s technology estate.

You will monitor supplier performance, provide commercial advice on procurement and work with ICT teams, Procurement, Finance, Legal Services and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience in contract management, procurement, or public sector governance.
• ITIL certification and understanding of how ITIL functions interface with IT and the business.
• Satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks where applicable.
• Experience in complex organisations handling contracts and vendor relationships.
• Budget management, financial planning or expenditure control.
• Building effective relationships with stakeholders and influencing outcomes.
• Leading or managing people and demonstrating the Our Manchester Behaviours to deliver successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Manage ICT contracts, supplier relationships and commercial activities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Monitor supplier performance, contractual compliance and commercial risk, driving continuous improvement where required.
• Provide commercial advice and support on technology procurement, licensing, subscriptions, renewals and strategic supplier decisions.
• Work with ICT teams, Procurement, Finance, Legal Services, suppliers and business stakeholders.
• Support the delivery and continuous improvement of ICT services, contracts and supplier relationships.

Skills

Contract management

Supplier management

Procurement

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent experience in contract management, procurement, or public sector governance

Tools

ITIL

Job description

Working hours: 35 hours per week, full time

Contract type: Permanent

Working style: Hybrid

Closing date: 11.59pm, 23 November 2026

Interview method: in person

You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role.

As an ICT Contract & Vendor Manager, you'll lead the management of a portfolio of ICT contracts, suppliers and commercial relationships to ensure the Council receives value for money, manages risk and delivers high-quality digital services.

You’ll help the ICT Service to deliver effective contract and supplier management across the Council's technology estate, ensuring suppliers perform effectively, contracts remain compliant and commercial risks are managed proactively. Your work will contribute to reliable, secure and sustainable digital services that support colleagues, residents and communities across Manchester.

In This Role You Will

• Manage ICT contracts, supplier relationships and commercial activities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Monitor supplier performance, contractual compliance and commercial risk, driving continuous improvement where required.
• Provide commercial advice and support on technology procurement, licensing, subscriptions, renewals and strategic supplier decisions.
• Work with ICT teams, Procurement, Finance, Legal Services, suppliers and business stakeholders.
• Support the delivery and continuous improvement of ICT services, contracts and supplier relationships.

For queries about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Leon Sullivan, at [e-mail] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for vacancy related enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications.

Pre-employment checks

If You Are Successful, Your Appointment Will Be Subject To Completing The Relevant Pre-employment Checks. These Checks Will Be Carried Out As Part Of Our Recruitment Process And Includes

• Qualification - Degree-level education or equivalent experience in contract management, procurement, or public sector governance.
• Qualified to ITIL, with a strong practical understanding of how the core ITIL functions interface and interact to collectively support IT and the Business.
• Satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks where applicable
• For more information on these checks, please visit checks page.

We're looking for an experienced ICT commercial professional who enjoys building strong supplier relationships, solving problems and helping organisations get the best value from their technology investments. You'll be confident working with colleagues, suppliers and partners, balancing commercial, financial and operational priorities, and helping ensure technology contracts and services deliver positive outcomes for Manchester.

We'll Use The Following Essential Criteria To Decide Which Candidates To Invite To Interview. Use Your Personal Statement To Provide Evidence Of How You Meet Each One, Supported By Relevant Examples

• Relevant qualifications, professional certifications or equivalent experience.
• Contract, supplier, commercial, procurement or vendor management within a complex organisation.
• Budget management, financial planning or expenditure control.
• Building effective relationships with stakeholders, suppliers, partners or customers and influencing positive outcomes.
• Supporting, leading or managing people and demonstrating the Our Manchester Behaviours to deliver successful outcomes.

If you're invited to assessment, we'll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.

Use of AI

You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Applicants who meet the essential shortlisting criteria and are eligible under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme will be progressed to the assessment stage.

Support and Adjustments

If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role. Find out more about our inclusion and wellbeing.

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You'll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service
• Buy up to two extra weeks' leave
• Up to 3 days' volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles