Strategic Contract & Change Lead

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Defra Group is seeking a Contract and Change Manager to support the Head of Contracts, Change and Improvements with managing shared services contractual arrangements. You will focus on contract governance, supplier engagement, and change management while coordinating audits and assurance across the portfolio.

You will advise on contractual matters, manage risks and dependencies, and work with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure contractual obligations align with business needs and

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex contractual arrangements across multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk, and compliance in public sector contracting.
• Ability to coordinate change activity and advise on contractual implications.

Responsibilities

• Uphold and enhance contract management across Defra Group's shared services.
• Lead contractual change management including RFC processes and negotiations.
• Coordinate contract audit and assurance activities and report findings and actions.
• Provide expert guidance on contractual, governance and supplier management matters.

Skills

Contract management

Change management

Stakeholder management

Supplier engagement

Governance

Audit & assurance

Job description

Defra Group is seeking a Contract and Change Manager to support the Head of Contracts, Change and Improvements with managing shared services contractual arrangements. You will focus on contract governance, supplier engagement, and change management while coordinating audits and assurance across the portfolio.

You will advise on contractual matters, manage risks and dependencies, and work with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure contractual obligations align with business needs and