Senior Contract Manager


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£44,285 to £44,285 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Lowestoft
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	21 Oct 2026
Closing date:	8 Nov 2026

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Summary

Contract management is a varied and dynamic profession, and it is not possible to characterise a standard day, meaning this role would be varied and exciting for the successful candidate. The Contract Manager will be required to be responsive, adaptable and flexible to meet the demands of a job which is part of a dynamic industry subject to change.

As a Senior Contract Manager, the successful candidate performing this role will need to be proactive, a capable communicator and an enthusiastic team-member, and be able to prioritise tasks and manage workload to reflect organisational needs.

Working as part of a small and responsive team of contract management professionals, the role will support (and where appropriate, lead) the management of Cefas’ most strategic and/or critical (i.e. Silver / Gold tier as defined by the Cabinet Office Contract Tiering Tool) contracts and suppliers, for example:

Cefas’ Research Vessel (RV) Management Services contract for RV Cefas Endeavour (see here for further details);
the future contract associated with the build of a replacement for RV Cefas Endeavour (see here for further details); and
Cefas’ Travel Management Services contract.

Workdays are likely to include periods of unsupervised working on contract administration, periods in which you will support and engage with senior members of the team, periods of direct engagement with suppliers / customers, and attendance at facilities aligned with the contract delivery (e.g. operational / delivery sites).

This would be a fantastic opportunity to support further learning and development, with opportunities for increased responsibility and challenges to those who demonstrate improved competence and capability.

This role is an exciting and demanding position and is aimed at those seeking to develop in the realm of contract and commercial management.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Sourcing

Supporting / Leading contract document production.
Contract file maintenance and administration.
Assisting with development of contract sourcing and commercial strategies that reflect the needs of the business.
Support pre-sourcing market analysis and engagement.
Support development of business cases.
Preparation of contract amendments in line with level of delegation.
Supporting the development of strategies for transition from sourcing / procurement to contract management.

Contract and Supplier Management

Leading and assisting the development and implementation of contract management plans, compliance and obligations matrices.
Leading and assisting with commercial contract management, customer / supplier management and negotiation (including performance monitoring and management) for Silver / Gold tier contracts to deliver enduring through-life value-for-money solutions.
Providing timely feedback on supplier performance issues and successes to Project and Commercial colleagues.
Maintaining effective contract management information systems.
Leading and supporting contract enforcement through:
- identifying considerations.
- identifying performance trends
- evaluating non-conformance.
- identifying enforcement tools and remedies.
- performing first-line dispute resolution, with escalation to senior commercial colleagues where unresolved in line with the Contract.
Supporting and mentoring Operational Contract Managers within Cefas.
Supporting allocated project team engagement with suppliers when commercial aspects might be affected; and carrying out Contract Management, filing and contract administration activities.

For the avoidance of doubt, this role will require domestic and international travel to allow for effective customer / supplier management, stakeholder engagement, etc., with the extent of travel dependent on individual contract or organisational requirements.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

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