Senior Contract Manager - Expression of Interest

Sopra Steria Limited; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public-sector consultancy in Westminster is seeking an experienced Senior Contract Manager. The ideal candidate will have substantial NEC4 contract management experience and a strong background in NHS or public-sector environments. Responsibilities include leading contract negotiations, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with financial and regulatory standards. The role offers competitive benefits, including a car allowance and private medical cover.

Benefits

£5,400 car allowance

25 days annual leave

Private medical

Life assurance

Pension

Flexible benefits fund

Qualifications

• Substantial NEC4-based contract management experience.
• Experience in NHS or public-sector consulting environments.
• Proven track record managing multi-million-pound, regulated contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the drafting and negotiation of NEC4 contracts.
• Supervise contract delivery under NEC arrangements.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and drive improvements.

Skills

NEC4 contract management experience

Negotiation skills

Financial oversight

Conflict resolution skills

Partner management

Flexibility and adaptability

Tools

CEMAR

Oracle Primavera P6

Job description

Are you an expert contract manager with a passion for excellence? Are you savvy in commercial operations and have a sound grasp of NHS governance? This is an "expression of interest" advert. Although we do not currently have live roles, they are upcoming, and we want to get ahead of the game!

NHS SBS is looking to expand its Contract Management offering within the Commercial Consultancy side of the business. As a Senior Contract Manager, you'll lead negotiation, performance governance, and compliance for NEC4-based, high-value contracts across projects. You will act as NEC4 Service Manager (equivalent to NEC Project Manager) for core programmes under NHS SBS, ensuring delivery within scope, schedule, budget, and to regulatory standards.

As part of the Commercial Consulting team, you will tailor recommendations to client needs, facilitate decision-making through collaborative approaches, and promote expertise in specific markets or consulting areas. A strong dedication to knowledge sharing and skill development within the team is essential.

If you're interested in learning more about the team and their work, we would be keen to discuss the future opportunities in this space and the next steps to register your interest.

What you'll be doing:

1. Leading the drafting, negotiation, and finalisation of NEC4 contracts, ensuring alignment with frameworks, procurement protocols, and legislation.
2. Supervising contract delivery under NEC arrangements, facilitating partner coordination, and driving project milestones.
3. Monitoring supplier performance metrics, driving improvements, and leading issue resolution and collaborator engagement.
4. Implementing cost controls, verifying spend against forecasts, and providing financial reporting and forecasting.
5. Managing commercial risks, recommending decisions aligned with SBS priorities, and maintaining contractual health.
6. Communicating effectively across NHS SBS customers, NHS Trusts, and government entities to ensure consistency and alignment.
7. Utilizing CEMAR for contract event management, e-tender systems, and procurement platforms; understanding NEC contract processes.
8. Managing project timelines, resource dependencies, and deliverable tracking in Oracle Primavera P6.

Minimum requirements:

• Substantial NEC4-based contract management experience
• Experience within NHS or public-sector consulting environments
• Proven track record managing multi-million-pound, regulated contracts and frameworks
• High-level expertise in NEC4 contract structures and digital contract management tools (e.g., CEMAR)
• Skilled in financial oversight and cost verification
• Excellent negotiation, partner management, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to handle flexibility and ambiguity while providing structure to teams

Benefits:

£5,400 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with options to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and a flexible benefits fund.

Interested in learning more about us? NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), created by the Department of Health and Social Care, delivers corporate services to the NHS. As a joint venture with Sopra Steria, we provide finance & accounting, digital, procurement, and workforce services to over half the NHS in England, underpinned by cutting-edge technology and expertise.

We share the NHS values, are committed to being a force for good, and are dedicated to responsible and sustainable actions at all levels.

Would you like to join us on our journey? Sopra Steria