Contract Manager

About the role

The Environment Agency works to improve conditions for people and wildlife by protecting the environment, supporting sustainable development, and helping communities adapt to climate change. A major focus of its EA2030 plan is reaching net zero as an organisation by 2030, and Defra Group Fleet Services plays an important part in that effort by leading the transition to a net zero carbon fleet.

This role offers the chance to work with fleet specialists on a team that manages a broad range of procurement and service contracts for the Environment Agency and Defra partners. It is a senior position with considerable independence, reporting to the Strategic Fleet Manager for Contracts.

What you will do

You will work with colleagues across the organisation to understand business needs, develop contract approaches, and manage the procurement journey from tender stage through to award. You will also own important supplier relationships and oversee contracts through their full lifecycle.

Your work will include defining performance measures, tracking delivery, and working with suppliers to lower environmental impact while keeping the fleet safe, compliant, and cost-effective. The role calls for strong collaboration, influencing ability, and a practical approach to delivering outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders, building productive working relationships and making sure their requirements are understood and supported.
• Offer clear, usable guidance on fleet contracts while ensuring approaches align with policy and current best practice.
• Help improve policies and working methods at both national and local levels so they stay consistent and support environmental objectives.
• Use digital systems and reporting tools to track service performance and compliance, spot risks or improvement opportunities, and escalate concerns when needed.
• Run contracts day to day, making sure suppliers deliver against service levels, quality expectations, and contractual obligations.
• Support procurement activity by identifying needs, shaping requirements, and contributing to sourcing and award decisions.
• Work across teams to deliver complex contract or programme outcomes on time and to the required standard.

Experience and skills needed

• At least two years of contract management experience, including supplier performance oversight and delivery support.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement processes; experience in Defra or a similar organisation is helpful.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Confidence in relationship management, stakeholder engagement, and influencing others.
• Ability to analyse contract or supplier data and use it to improve performance and compliance.

Working arrangement

This is a national position with an Environment Agency office base. Working arrangements are flexible and hybrid. Much of the work will be carried out remotely using digital tools, with occasional travel to EA offices and national meetings, including possible overnight stays.

You are expected to be comfortable working as part of a dispersed team and supporting colleagues from a distance. Appropriate training will be provided, and an inclusive incident management objective will be included in your development plan to help support a role suited to your needs.

Interview and selection process

A Teams drop-in session will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on 22 June 2026 for further information and questions. Interviews are planned for 28 and 29 July.

Applications will be assessed against three competencies: Efficiency, Innovation and Quality; Delivering Results Through Others; and Contracts & Relationship Management. A first-stage sift may be carried out using the lead competency if there are many applications. Feedback is usually not given at sift stage.

Applicants should answer each competency question in no more than 250 words and use real examples from their own experience. Artificial intelligence may be used only as a support tool; all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate, and taken directly from the applicant’s own experience.

Additional information

If you currently work in the Civil Service, please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and appointment would not make you a Crown Servant. As a result, continuous service would not apply. Some local government and related bodies may still qualify for continuous service for redundancy purposes, and candidates unsure of their position should check with their HR team.

The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes flexible working patterns, including job share. Candidates should state any preferred working arrangements clearly in their application. A Guaranteed Interview Policy is in place for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.

The organisation uses Central Government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment, so it cannot be approached directly by post, email, or phone as a recruitment supplier.

Candidate pack notes

More guidance on answering competency questions is available in the candidate pack.