Contract Manager Education PFI

• Pay Rate: £23.67 PAYE / £29.55 Umbrella. (open negotiation dependant on experience)
• Location: Tameside
• Job Type: Temporary, full-time. Initial 3 months

Tameside Council are seeking a Contract Manager to oversee the Tameside Schools PFI contracts, ensuring they support improved education attainment and provide value for money. The role involves managing quality services, project management, and stakeholder engagement within the Council’s Education PFI contracts. The ideal candidate will possess strong managerial, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to handle complex relationships and contractual processes.

Day to Day of the Role:

• Deliver quality services in line with the contract and targeted benefits through professional management of Education PFI contracts.
• Monitor and manage compliance and performance with private sector partners, implementing continuous improvement plans.
• Ensure service providers understand the Council’s requirements and schools’ needs for annual service plans.
• Liaise with schools on all matters related to Education PFI contracts, including contract performance, lifecycle maintenance, and variations.
• Conduct research, complex data analysis, and business case development to maintain high performance and support continuous improvement.
• Monitor Education PFI budgets, process unitary charge payments, and apply financial penalties based on performance.
• Support financial reviews, market testing, and benchmarking to secure savings and ensure best value.
• Manage lifecycle maintenance projects and other specific projects as allocated.
• Develop and manage relationships with partners, including the DfE, to ensure positive and professional management of PFI contracts.
• Develop contract manuals, project plans, and contribute to delivering successful change.
• Procure and manage external consultants/contractors in line with Council procedures.
• Manage the preparation of key documents, including tender specifications, reports, and business cases.
• Ensure appropriate consultation for projects and programmes.
• Contribute to the achievement of objectives and targets at various levels within the Council.
• Communicate effectively the work of the Schools PFI team to internal and external audiences.
• Provide robust advice on Education PFI contract matters as required.
• Implement the Council’s Equality and Health and Safety policies.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• First degree or equivalent qualification or relevant experience.
• Experience managing complex contracts in a political environment.
• Track record in contract and performance management within the public sector.
• Experience managing PFI contracts using contract and project management methodologies.
• Experience auditing, validating, and processing contractual payments.
• Experience monitoring, analyzing, and controlling financial budgets.
• Significant contribution to partnership working with key stakeholders.
• Expertise in PFI contract management, ideally within the education sector.
• Excellent communication skills with a variety of audiences.
• Strong planning, organization, and coordination skills.
• Financial, budget, and performance management skills.
• Awareness of relevant property legislation and industry good practice.
• Positive attitude to change and innovation, with good negotiation and persuasion skills.