Contracts Manager – Social Housing
We Build Recruitment are recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee maintenance and improvement contracts across a social housing portfolio.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective procurement, management, and performance monitoring of responsive repairs, planned works, voids, and capital projects. This role requires a strong focus on service quality, regulatory compliance, value for money, and delivering high levels of customer satisfaction for residents.
Key Responsibilities
1. Contract Management & Delivery
* Manage responsive repairs, planned maintenance, voids, and capital works contracts.
* Ensure contractors meet agreed KPIs, service standards, and financial targets.
* Monitor quality through inspections, audits, and performance reviews.
* Lead regular contract review meetings and implement performance improvement plans where required.
2. Procurement & Compliance
* Support procurement exercises in line with Public Contracts Regulations and internal policies.
* Prepare specifications, scopes of works, and tender documentation.
* Ensure all contracts comply with health & safety legislation, CDM Regulations, and relevant housing standards.
* Monitor contractor compliance with safeguarding, equality, and data protection requirements.
3. Financial Control & Budget Management
* Manage contract budgets and forecast expenditure.
* Review and approve valuations, variations, and invoices in line with delegated authority levels.
* Deliver value for money through effective cost control, financial oversight, and benchmarking.
4. Resident & Stakeholder Engagement
* Act as the key liaison between contractors, internal teams, and residents.
* Resolve escalated complaints relating to repairs and maintenance services.
* Promote high standards of customer service and clear, proactive communication.
5. Risk & Performance Management
* Identify, manage, and mitigate operational and financial risks.
* Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and governance requirements.
* Support internal and external audit processes.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
-Demonstrable experience managing maintenance or asset management contracts within social housing, local authority, or housing association environments.
-Strong knowledge of responsive repairs and planned maintenance programmes.
-Experience managing contractor performance against KPIs and SLAs.
-Proven budget management experience.
Essential Knowledge
-Public procurement regulations and processes.
-Housing health & safety compliance, including CDM Regulations.
-Social housing regulatory framework.
-Principles of contract law and contract administration.
Qualifications
HNC/HND or Degree in Construction, Building Surveying, or related discipline