Contract Performance Manager

As our Contract Performance Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring our contractor partners deliver safe, high-quality and value for money services across our Repairs Operations function. Working closely with Procurement, Finance, Field Operations and wider operational teams, you'll monitor contractor performance, challenge costs, review KPIs and help maximise service delivery for our customers. You'll support the development of procurement strategies and contractor frameworks, lead tender and mini-tender activities, and ensure contract management processes are consistently applied. You'll also contribute to budgeting and financial planning, identify risks and opportunities, scrutinise contractor charging, and provide insight through performance reporting. Working alongside the Head of Contractor Management, you'll help drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and policies while ensuring compliance with regulatory, statutory and health and safety requirements. While this is a home based role, there will be occasional travel to our Preston office, so we're looking for someone who is based within a reasonable distance of this location., As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best. If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on (see below) . We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours. If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls Safeguarding At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.

• Proven experience managing contractor performance, quality and costs within a construction, repairs, housing or related environment.
• Strong experience in contract management, project management, programme management and budget control.
• Demonstrable experience supporting procurement, tender evaluations and contractor framework management.
• Knowledge of contract law, construction contracts and associated pricing and payment arrangements.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent extensive professional experience.
More about you You're a commercially minded contract management professional who enjoys using data, insight and performance measures to improve service delivery. You have strong experience managing contractors and can confidently balance quality, compliance and cost considerations while maintaining a customer-first approach. You'll have a methodical and analytical approach, with the ability to identify risks, review financial performance and challenge areas that do not represent value for money. Ideally, you'll bring knowledge of contract and cost management systems, an understanding of construction-related contracts and professional membership of a relevant chartered body. You'll be comfortable working with a range of stakeholders and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across a complex operational environment.

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
• 35 days holiday (including bank holidays) with the option to buy or sell days
• Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs, with private GP and health support services available
• Comprehensive wellbeing support including counselling, flu jabs, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to our Wellbeing Hub, supporting your mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Access to Our Place Rewards, offering discounts and savings on groceries, travel, shopping, home products and other lifestyle purchases
• Ongoing training, professional qualifications, internal development programmes and career progression opportunities
• Recognition programmes including Star Awards and Colleague Awards, celebrating achievements and recognising great work
• Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
• Free membership to Places Gyms
• Life Assurance to provide financial security for your loved ones, alongside access to will writing services to help you plan for the future with confidence