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.