Senior Contracts Manager

Ford & Stanley are seeking experienced Senior Contracts Managers to support the commercial management and administration of a portfolio of major infrastructure and corporate contracts within a large-scale, publicly funded programme.

This is an excellent opportunity for commercially focused contract professionals with extensive NEC contract experience, strong stakeholder management skills, and a proven track record of delivering value, governance, and risk management across complex contract environments.

Working within an established Procurement and Commercial function, you will be responsible for leading contract administration activities, managing contractual change, supporting governance processes, and ensuring the successful delivery of contract outcomes throughout the contract lifecycle.

The Senior Contracts Manager will provide leadership and commercial assurance across a portfolio of contracts, supporting project teams, senior stakeholders, and commercial colleagues in the effective administration and management of contractual obligations.

The role will focus on contract governance, change management, commercial risk mitigation, and value-for-money delivery, whilst ensuring compliance with contractual and organisational requirements.

• Lead the commercial and contract administration of NEC forms of contract across major infrastructure projects.
• Provide commercial assurance and governance support to senior stakeholders, project teams, and contract management professionals.
• Coach, mentor, and support Contract Managers and Assistant Contract Managers to ensure consistent contract management practices.
• Identify, manage, and resolve contractual issues, risks, and disputes throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Lead contract change management activities, including the drafting and administration of change instructions and associated governance processes.
• Assess and negotiate compensation events, quotations, and commercial submissions.
• Support the development of business cases and ensure commercial implications are appropriately considered within decision-making processes.
• Monitor supplier and consultant performance, spend, and contractual compliance.
• Ensure contract risks are actively managed and mitigation measures are implemented.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with Procurement, Engineering, Construction, Legal, Programme Controls, and Risk functions.
• Drive best practice contract management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure value for money is achieved throughout contract delivery.
• Support organisational objectives relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

• Significant experience in contract management and administration within complex infrastructure, engineering, construction, transportation, or major project environments.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts (NEC3 and/or NEC4).
• Demonstrable experience managing contractual change, compensation events, and contract risk.
• Experience operating within heavily regulated or publicly funded environments.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience providing commercial governance and assurance across multiple contracts.
• Ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing Professional Services Contracts through the full contract lifecycle.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience working on large-scale infrastructure, transportation, rail, utilities, construction, or public sector programmes.
• Experience within government, local authority, or publicly funded organisations.
• Familiarity with procurement regulations and public sector commercial governance frameworks.
• Previous experience mentoring or leading contract management teams.

• Hybrid working model.
• Approximately 3 days per week onsite.
• Office locations available in Birmingham or London.

• Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain BPSS clearance.

If you are an experienced Senior Contracts Manager with strong NEC contract expertise and a background in complex infrastructure or public sector programmes, please apply via this job board or contact the consultant listed on this advert for further information.

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer committed to equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are those of an employment consultancy business.