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This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary
£78,587 - £86,446
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Brough, Cardiff, Doncaster, Durham, Hull, Kirkham, Lancaster, Leeds, Leyland, Liverpool, Manchester, Millom, Peterborough, Preston, Rochdale, Stockton-on-Tees, Swansea, Usk, Wakefield, Warrington, Wetherby, Wigan, Wrexham, Yarm, York
Region
East of England, North East, North West, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber
Closing Date
04-Nov-2025
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 6
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11123

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job 

The Senior Contract Manager (SCM) is accountable for overseeing the delivery and development of nominated contracts within their area of control.

This can include and is not limited to accountability for service providers’ contract management and oversight of related interfaces with other providers in their designated area and for related stakeholder engagement, service planning, development and commissioning activity.

This is a senior leadership position within a Custodial Contracts Senior Management team and reports to Head of Group within the Custodial Contracts Directorate (CCD). The Senior Contract Manager is accountable for all contract delivery, performance, development, contract management standards, assurance and governance of contracts within their designated areas of responsibility. The post holder is accountable for managing these complex, innovative contracts and for delivery of services through the contract, that carry high levels of operational and reputational risk.

The post holder will have accountability for one of the following areas:

  • Operational Contracts
  • Privately Managed Prisons
  • Prison Education
  • Prisoner Escort and Custody Services

The geographical base for the SCM post can be flexible and may require some work in London and other locations. This is a non-operational HQ rotational role with line management responsibilities.

Summary

The SCM is a CCD senior management team role, accountable for CCD Contract delivery.

The SCM is responsible for managing, planning and delivering the contract management service in line with organisational objectives. This includes engaging, managing relationships and co-ordinating activity with other Groups, Directorates and Agencies.

The SCM will have effective and detailed knowledge and understanding of all aspects of services relevant to the management of prisoners within custody and the skills to apply this to make sound local commissioning and contract management decisions and inform the development of strategic commissioning priorities.

The SCM is accountable for reporting on each of the contracts’ individual performance and the service overall and is accountable for monitoring and evaluating financial performance of providers under contract.

The SCM is responsible for authorising payments in line with contract provisions (contract values up to £80 million per annum).

The SCM is required to represent CCD and HMPPS with multiple stakeholders in a complex commissioning and delivery environment and is accountable for the delivery of operational and performance management at a senior level.

The SCM oversees all aspects of contracts, operational delivery and relationship management. Providing strategic leadership over cross-functional delivery of national, regional, and local contract delivery activities, including contract compliance and assuring service delivery meets the objectives of Reducing Reoffending, Protecting the Public, Providing a Safe, Decent and Secure Estate and Delivering Value for Money.

The SCM will have the skills to negotiate with Chief Executives, Directors, Senior Leaders and a broad range of subject matter experts and policy groups to influence development of activities and ensure they inform and meet commissioning intentions.

The SCM will lead and promote effective supplier relationship management and build effective working relationships with and between providers and with key stakeholders and partners.

The post holder will have sufficient seniority and authority to represent and deputise for the Head of Group and Executive Director and deal effectively with strategic commissioning partners and with providers at Chief Executive, Director, Deputy Director and senior manager levels.

At the discretion of the Head of Group the SCM will be accountable for the direct line management, performance, and development of a team of operational/non?operational staff.

The SCM will be accountable for a high level of personal and organisational reputational risk and for significant commissioning and Contract Management decisions.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties 

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Responsible for strategically managing, planning and delivering the contract management service in line with organisational objectives. This includes engaging, managing relationships and co-ordinating activity with other Groups, Directorates and Agencies. Establishing effective strategic relationship management with the contract supplier and internal and external stakeholders to maximise value delivered through the contract.
  • Ensuring appropriate levels of assurance in relation to designated contracts, including as required, on-site presence within the service provider’s/supplier’s organisation in order to observe and monitor operations, processes and practice. Such assurance may include managing and undertaking a range of compliance testing including the regular undertaking of shadowing visits which may be outside of core hours to test the consistency of provider delivery and supporting staff whilst undertaking such activity.
  • The post holder may have contact with sentenced and unsentenced prisoners in order to inform assessment of service delivery, which could expose the post holder to challenging or confrontational behaviour.
  • The SCM will lead on management of the contract management governance processes with suppliers, including dispute resolution and risk management and ensuring escalation processes are in place and operating effectively.
  • The post holder is accountable for ensuring that financial payments are made in line with contract performance and that service credits are applied appropriately. They are accountable for monitoring/evaluating the overall financial performance of providers and are accountable for identifying, negotiating and agreeing efficiency savings to contracts.
  • Strategic or subject matter expert lead for allocated areas of Directorate business which may be at regional or national level. Negotiating with Chief Executives, Directors, Senior Managers and a broad range of subject matter experts and policy groups to influence development of activities and ensure they inform and meet corporate strategy.
  • Is responsible for identifying service quality, contract compliance and supplier performance issues and priorities and dependant on contract liaison with internal and external scrutiny bodies in order to inform the programme of assurance activity.
  • Liaising with Commercial Contract Management, System Development, and other HMPPS/MoJ functions to ensure that the necessary advice and support is obtained to inform effective management of the designated contracts.
  • If appropriate manage operational incidents and implement contingency plans to ensure continuity of service, when necessary, briefing Press Office and escalating within HMPPS as required.
  • Responsible for the line management of Contract Management Team and for deciding the effective allocation of contract management resources within their designated team. The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive.

The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Additional Information

Senior Leadership role with responsibility for the PECS service improvement based in Peterborough and the North PECS contract covering the North and Wales. This will require regular attendance at the Peterborough Office and regional visits across the North and Wales.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information
MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11123

HMPPS:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11123

Candidates can contact Roy Stevenson via email: Roy.Stevenson@justice.gov.uk for further information / discussion of this role in advance of applying.

Allowance

This post does attract RHA.

This role requires regularly working unpredictable and unsocial hours and be on call to attend their place of work at anytime. A  20% payment will be paid in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evening, nights, weekends and Bank / Public holidays.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Seeing the Big Picture

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Face to Face Interviews will take place at Unit 6, Forder Way, The Office Village, Cygnet Park, Hampton, Peterborough, PE7 8GX
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Seeing the Big Picture
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.