VodafoneThree - Senior Manager - Governance, Partner & Contract

VodafoneThree; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

VodafoneThree in Newbury is seeking a Senior Manager for Governance, Partner & Contract Management within the Networks Operations team. The role leads contract governance across Networks Partner and Contract Management, ensuring controls, reporting, obligation management and lifecycle governance are embedded across the portfolio.

This is a hybrid, full-time position with 2-3 days in the office and 2-3 days at home.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract governance and lifecycle management
• Proven people leadership in governance or commercial teams
• Understanding of telecoms Networks and Operations environments
• Strong commercial acumen: governance controls, performance regimes and risk management
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders
• Ability to interpret contract data, MI and risk registers
• Experience operating in matrixed organisations with cross-functional alignment
• Commitment to compliance, auditability and continuous improvement

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and manage the team responsible for contract governance, VSA contract management and network operations partner management.
• Own the contract governance framework for Networks Partner and Contract Management, including obligation tracking and renewals.
• Manage the Vodafone Services Agreement relationship between Vodafone Group and Networks in VodafoneThree.
• Own the Network operations L2 interface for partner management and governance matters.
• Establish governance forums, business reviews and escalation routes with key stakeholders.
• Provide leadership insight on governance health, risk and performance to guide decisions.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Legal, Finance and delivery teams for effective handover and lifecycle governance.
• Drive continual improvement of governance processes, tools and MI across the team.

Job description

Location: Newbury+ Hybrid

Salary: Excellent basic salary plus bonus and Vodafone benefits

Working hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday

Hybrid

We believe that through collaboration and connection with our colleagues we can achieve great things. Our hybrid working approach allows our people to work both in the office and at home, providing the flexibility and resources you need to succeed in your role. We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we ask people to come into the office 2-3 days each week, for at least 8 days per month. You should work with your line manager to understand what their expectations are for you, your specific role and your team.

Who We Are

We're here to build a network the UK can count on - one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online - we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future's being built - today.

We're creating more than the UK's best network. We're helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that everyone should feel they belong. Whoever you are and whatever your story, there's space for you here. We're building a workplace where different perspectives are welcomed, voices are heard, and everyone feels safe to show up as themselves.

You'll join a team that genuinely cares - about each other, about our customers, and about the future we're building. From day one, you'll be welcomed, valued and encouraged to bring your whole self to work.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you'll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We're not just expanding connectivity; we're reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With GBP11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You'll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you'll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we're building matters - and we're learning as we go. We're proud of the progress we've made, but we're just getting started.

Join our UK Networks team, where we're continually building and enhancing our network, connecting millions of people and businesses across the country. Be part of the team that makes it all happen - simplifying, automating, and bringing better connectivity than ever before, with giga-fast speed, to our customers.

What you'll do

The Senior Manager - Governance, Partner & Contract Management - Ops is a Grade 13 people leader within the Networks Partner and Contract Management team. The role leads the team responsible for contract governance across the whole Networks Partner and Contract Management function, ensuring consistent controls, standards, reporting, obligation management and lifecycle governance are embedded across the portfolio.

• Lead, coach and manage the team responsible for contract governance, VSA contract management and network operations partner management, setting clear priorities, standards and performance expectations.
• Own the contract governance framework for Networks Partner and Contract Management, including obligation tracking, change control, renewals, risk management, governance cadence, reporting and audit readiness.
• Manage the Vodafone Services Agreement relationship between Vodafone Group and Networks in VodafoneThree, ensuring contractual commitments, service expectations and partner obligations are visible, governed and delivered.
• Own the Network operations L2 business interface for partner Management for partner management, contract and governance matters across these areas.
• Establish effective governance forums, business reviews and escalation routes with Operations, Networks L2, Vodafone Group and relevant internal stakeholders.
• Provide leadership insight on contract governance health, VSA performance, risks, commercial issues, partner performance and improvement actions.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, delivery teams and business owners to ensure contract handover, lifecycle management and in-life governance operate effectively.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract governance processes, tools, MI and ways of working across the VSA & Contract Management team, including responsibility for the continued development and evolution of the partner and contract management methodology.

Who you are

• Strong experience in contract governance, contract lifecycle management, partner management, supplier relationship management or commercial governance within a complex operational environment.
• Proven people leadership capability, with experience managing, coaching and prioritising teams responsible for governance, commercial control or operational delivery.
• Good understanding of telecoms Networks and Operations environments, including the dependency between supplier agreements, network performance, service delivery and business outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, including knowledge of obligations, governance controls, performance regimes, service expectations, change control, risk management and value realisation.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across Operations, Networks L2, Vodafone Group, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance and delivery teams.
• Confident interpreting contract data, MI, risk registers and governance outputs to identify issues, recommend action and support leadership decisions.
• Experience operating in matrixed organisations, balancing competing priorities while maintaining clear accountability, control and stakeholder alignment.
• Demonstrable focus on compliance, auditability, governance discipline, continuous improvement and delivery of measurable commercial and operational outcomes.

Worried that you don't meet all the desired criteria exactly?
We know that everyone is unique, with multiple aspects to their identity and different experiences behind them. We are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

What we offer

We care about our people's success by offering great pay, bonuses, up to 28 days off plus bank holidays, and paid time for charity work. You can personalise our benefits for you and your family, like discounts, vouchers, a pension plan and loads more. We help with your career through our amazing learning tools and top-notch parental leave policies.

Need to Know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website ( ) for guidance.

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements.

During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are-your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we're looking for authenticity and can't wait to get to know the real you.