Contracts Manager

Job Title: Contracts Manager
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £64,871 per annum
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday-Hybrid
Location: Arlington House, Camden, London
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
Please note that whilst we will accept applications based on any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.

The difference you will make as a Contracts Manager

You will support the Head of Asset Strategy & Delivery Housing (South & London) in the delivery of planned and reactive investment works, cyclical decorations, rationalisation identification, and supporting the overall investment for the region to achieve Decent Homes standards. Leading a team of Building Surveyors/Project Surveyors to ensure effective delivery of the required programme of works to underpin the Homes Strategy.

About you
We are looking for someone with
•  A proven track record of successful contract implementation and management for a large and 
diverse portfolio of mixed tenure properties. 
• In-depth knowledge of contract formation and contract types. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of general operating procedures within an Asset Management 
function. 
• In-depth knowledge of building regulations. 
• Proven track record of using Project Management methodologies. .

Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. 
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
•    Competitive pay & generous pension 
•    28 days holidays plus bank holidays
•    Flexible working options available
•    Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
•    A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside: 
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. 
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.

This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview. 
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Role Profile
• Lead, motivate and engage with the Building Surveyors and Project Surveyors to ensure the 
delivery of a high-quality service, developing and implementing operational objectives, 
including key performance indicators and an effective communication strategy, to underpin the 
Homes Strategy including delivery of the required programme of works for an allocated number 
of Group residential properties of all tenures (excluding C&S properties). 
• Develop, implement, and monitor the approach to contract management including associated 
policies, procedures and guidance, considering industry best practice and commercial 
requirements, proactively adopting new and innovative ideas and solutions to ensure 
continuous improvement of the service. 
• Lead the scoping, specifying, mobilisation and implementation of an allocated number of new 
contracts, in conjunction with procurement colleagues, including assessing the competence of 
potential suppliers throughout the procurement process and acting as decision maker in terms 
of successful appointments, ensuring robust contract management arrangements are in place 
to effectively deliver the Asset Management Strategy.
•Undertake a review of existing contracted services, driving innovation and seeking out 
efficiencies and cost reduction opportunities, maintaining this approach on an ongoing basis 
with contractors over the contract lifecycle, identifying, implementing and monitoring 
improvement targets as appropriate. 
• Monitor and report on contracts, developing and implementing the appropriate performance 
framework for each contract, including service level agreements and key performance 
indicators, leading contract and performance review meetings and dealing with 
underperformance, including escalation of issues as appropriate. 
• Ensure the integrity and quality of data retained in relation to service charge contracts, to 
ensure compliance with procurement protocols and to enable cyclical and ad hoc analysis to 
be carried out and relevant reporting as required. 
• Carry out cyclical and ad hoc analysis of contract data, producing associated reports including 
findings and recommendations for key stakeholders as required. 
• Oversee the development, implementation and review of effective business procedures to 
support the contract management service, contributing to and influencing Group policies as 
appropriate. 
• Provide a consultative service to management colleagues, including the Head of Asset 
Strategy & Delivery on sensitive and complex Asset Management contractual matters. 
• Manage internal and external stakeholders effectively, including Procurement colleagues, 
Building Safety colleagues, Home Ownership and Housing Management colleagues and 
external suppliers, building constructive working relationships to deliver an effective contract 
management service on behalf of the Group. 
• Develop and review relevant budgets, ensuring contract expenditure is robustly managed in 
line with the Group’s financial controls. 
• Monitor payment transactions to ensure compliance with the purchasing system and 
associated processes, addressing and resolving issues as appropriate. 
• Manage the performance and development of the Building Surveyors and Project Surveyors, 
providing expertise, coaching and other developmental support as required, ensuring a quality 
service is provided and underperformance is dealt with appropriately. 
• Conduct regular reviews of the Contract Management service, collaborating with and seeking 
feedback from internal and external stakeholders, to identify efficiencies and continually 
improve the service provision. Improvement opportunities identified and realised should be in 
accordance with change management protocols. 
• Work collaboratively with the leadership team to ensure effective delivery of the wider service. 
• Ensure that all data protection requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, 
procedures and statutory requirements. 
• Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, 
procedures and statutory requirements. 
Other Duties 
• Line Management of the Delivery team, including the team administrator and Customer liaison 
officer 
• Provide technical assistance, where required, to Development colleagues to ensure standards 
and specifications are aligned with investment standards. 
• Deliver the stock condition surveying programme for the region using in-house surveyors to 
meet the department commitment.

Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential

• Proven track record of successful contract implementation and management for a large and 
diverse portfolio of mixed tenure properties. 
• In-depth knowledge of contract formation and contract types. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of general operating procedures within an Asset Management 
function. 
• In-depth knowledge of building regulations. 
• Proven track record of using Project Management methodologies. 
• Experience of successfully leading, managing and motivating teams, including managing team 
performance.
 Effective stakeholder management, both internally and external to the organisation, including 
the ability to successfully persuade and influence others. 
• Results driven with strong analytical skills, including the ability to critically analyse complex 
information, and experience of providing meaningful management information. 
• Commercially aware with a focus on continuous improvement and the ability to drive change. 
• Customer focused with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability 
to work at all levels within the business. 
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines 
and manage conflicting priorities. 
• Evidence of using sound judgement when making effective decisions. 
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office. 
• Degree qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent 
• Member of a professional body e.g. Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or 
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or equivalent.