Contracts Manager - Transport Services
Location: Rayleigh, Essex
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £29,000 - £35,000 per annum
Reports to: Transport Operations Manager

Are you a skilled Contracts Manager with a passion for delivering public service contracts to the highest standard? We’re looking for a commercially minded and people-focused professional to take charge of managing key transport service contracts across a defined region.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on building strong relationships, improving service performance, and ensuring that contractual obligations are delivered with precision, care, and compliance—particularly within sectors that support vulnerable communities, such as Home-to-School (SEND) and Adult Social Care transport.

About the Role

As Contracts Manager, you’ll be the regional lead responsible for the full contract lifecycle—from tendering and mobilisation to ongoing delivery and performance management. Working closely with local authorities, procurement teams, and internal stakeholders, you’ll ensure that contracts are delivered in line with service agreements, KPIs, and regulatory standards.

This is not just about operations—it’s about strategic contract oversight, risk mitigation, stakeholder confidence, and continuous improvement. You’ll also contribute to business development through intelligent bidding, identifying service gaps, and supporting the growth of our public sector portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Ownership: Lead on the delivery and performance management of regional service contracts, ensuring full compliance with contract terms and service specifications.
• Stakeholder Management: Build strong, professional relationships with commissioning bodies, schools, and care providers to ensure high levels of satisfaction and collaboration.
• Performance & Reporting: Monitor KPIs, contractual outputs, and user feedback, providing data-led insights to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Tender & Bid Support: Play a key role in tender submissions, including written contributions, local intelligence gathering, and pricing support.
• Mobilisation & Implementation: Oversee the rollout of new contracts, including stakeholder engagement, staff onboarding, and compliance readiness.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify inefficiencies or gaps in delivery, implement corrective actions, and drive long-term enhancements across services.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Maintain up-to-date contract documentation, prepare for audits, and ensure all safeguarding, regulatory and legal obligations are met.
• Team Support & Leadership: Line manage and support regional staff, fostering a culture of accountability, development, and pride in public service.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Experience in contract management within public services, social care, education, or logistics.
• Proven track record of managing contract performance, stakeholder relationships, and service delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to interpret contract terms, KPIs, and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Organised, resilient, and confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Competent with Microsoft Office and contract/performance management systems.

Desirable:

• Experience in managing contracts related to SEND, adult social care, or other regulated service environments.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS).
• Familiarity with service mobilisation and regional delivery planning.

What’s in It for You?

• Competitive salary and benefits including pension contributions and bonus potential.
• A values-led environment where integrity, quality and impact come first.
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative team culture.
• Career development opportunities aligned with your personal growth.
• The chance to make a real difference in how essential services are delivered to vulnerable people in your community.

Take the lead in delivering contracts that matter.
If you're a detail-oriented, relationship-driven professional with a passion for contract success and public service, we’d love to hear from you.