Operational Contract Support Manager

FCDO Services; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government logistics organization in the UK is seeking a Contract Manager to oversee international deliveries and manage supplier relationships. The ideal candidate should possess solid contract management skills and experience in international freight forwarding. This role offers a competitive salary, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Civil Service Pension

Training and development opportunities

On-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant

Interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the contract management lifecycle.
• Experience with contract negotiations, SLAs, and KPIs.
• Strong focus on high quality, value for money commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day contract management function.
• Manage relationships with logistics suppliers.
• Ensure contractual compliance and track operational risks.

Skills

Contract management

Stakeholder communication

Operational compliance

Strategic planning

International freight forwarding

Education

Level 5 CILT or equivalent qualification

Tools

Power BI

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Job summary

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

The success of a government project can depend on secure, timely shipments and our Logistics team always deliver the goods. From dedicated drivers to King\'s Messengers, they\'ve delivered to over 250 destinations worldwide, moving over a million kilograms of freight annually across land, air, and sea. Now, you\'ve got the opportunity to join them.

Delivering globally.

Dispatching each shipment with care.

Seeing your impact go further.

It all matters.

Manage the delivery of a world class service for our international customers.

Wherever Diplomatic Bags are needed around the world, Global Logistics is there to support their delivery, and when you join us in this vital role, you’ll lead the relevant day-to-day contract management function. Working with a wide range of key logistics suppliers, you’ll manage senior relationships, ensure contractual compliance, and make sure they deliver great value for money. We’ll also expect you to help your Procurement colleagues resolve any commercial issues that arise, and develop processes that track, manage and report on operational risks.

Committed to guaranteeing the correct sign-off processes are used for spend controls, business cases, requests for change and impact assessments, you’ll keep up to speed on the impact of governmental commercial policies and initiatives. Other key tasks will involve defining, managing, and monitoring commercial savings and sustainability outcomes. You’ll also develop positive relationships with our Post Bag Room and Protocol teams to assist with the provision of clearance documentation and other ‘local’ problems, for example those that might arise relating to customs.

Use all your contract management skills as you support our global organisation.

To be a success in this busy, fast-moving role, you’ll have well developed knowledge of the contract management lifecycle, pipeline management, contract negotiations, SLAs, KPIs and contractual levers. A superb communicator with the ability to work alongside a diverse range of stakeholders, you’ll be capable of resolving any operational non-compliance issues that arise, and have a strong focus on achieving high quality, value for money commercial outcomes.

Always ready to identify opportunities and reprioritise actions based on customer demands, you should have plenty of experience in the development and implementation of strategic plans, and a good understanding of the international freight forwarding sector. It would be highly desirable if you hold or are working towards expert accreditation via the Government Commercial Organisation’s Contract Management Capability Programme. In addition, Level 5 CILT or an equivalent qualification would be a bonus, as would intermediate knowledge of Power BI, MS Project, and Excel.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further.

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It\'s a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help.

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world.

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures, and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Closing date: 28 September 2025.