Contract Manager

About the role

The Environment Agency is focused on improving and protecting the natural environment, enabling sustainable growth, and helping communities adapt to climate change. In line with the EA2030 strategy and the commitment to reach net zero by 2030, Defra Group Fleet Services plays an important part in moving the fleet toward lower carbon operations.

This opportunity is for a contract specialist to join a team supporting procurement and service agreements across the Environment Agency and Defra partner organisations. The role combines strategic contract work, supplier management, and sustainability-focused delivery, with real scope to influence fleet services and operational outcomes.

You will work with colleagues across the organisation to identify requirements, design contract approaches, and manage the full procurement cycle through to award. After award, you will own key supplier relationships and oversee contracts across their lifecycle, balancing performance, compliance, value for money, safety, and environmental improvement.

The position sits within Defra Group Fleet Services, a team responsible for coordinated fleet provision across the Defra group. The Contracts team supports procurement, requirement shaping, and supplier management to deliver efficient and effective services. This is a senior post with considerable independence and the chance to help shape important decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to understand needs and ensure contract activity supports Environment Agency priorities.
• Offer clear, practical guidance on fleet contracts in line with policy requirements and recognised industry standards.
• Support the development and ongoing improvement of national and local policies and processes, keeping them consistent and aligned with environmental objectives.
• Use tools and systems to track service delivery, review performance and compliance, and identify risks or improvement opportunities, escalating issues when needed.
• Manage contracts day to day so suppliers meet agreed service levels, quality expectations, and contractual obligations.
• Lead procurement activity from tender stage through to contract award.
• Work with suppliers to help lower environmental impact while maintaining a safe, compliant, and cost-effective fleet.

Experience and skills required

• At least two years of experience in contract management, including oversight of supplier performance and delivery.
• Understanding of public sector procurement processes; experience in Defra or a comparable organisation would be an advantage.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building ability, with confidence influencing outcomes.
• Organised and proactive working style, with the initiative to manage workload effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and through dispersed working arrangements.

Working arrangements and additional information

This is a national position with an EA office base. The working model is flexible and hybrid, and much of the work will be carried out remotely using digital collaboration tools. Occasional travel to EA offices and national meetings will be expected, including overnight stays at times.

You will be part of a dispersed team and should be comfortable leading and supporting others in that setting. Training will be provided where appropriate, and an inclusive incident management objective will be included in your development plan to help support a role that meets your needs. Please refer to the candidate pack for further details.

A Teams drop-in session is scheduled for 1–2pm on 22 June 2026 for questions and further information. To attend, email [email protected].

Interviews are planned for 28 and 29 July.

Selection process

Applicants will be assessed against the following competencies, with answers limited to 250 words per question:

• Efficiency, innovation and quality — describe a time you spotted an inefficiency in contract delivery or supplier performance.
• Delivering results through others — explain how you delivered a complex contract or programme through cross-functional teams.
• Contracts and relationship management — outline your experience managing contracts throughout their full lifecycle.

If a large volume of applications is received, an initial sift may be carried out using the first competency above. Candidates who pass may then move on to a full sift or straight to interview. Feedback is usually not provided at sift stage.

Eligibility, employment terms and equal opportunities

If you are moving from the Civil Service, please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service, so appointment to this role would not give you Crown Servant status and continuous service would not apply. If you currently work for local government or another body covered by the relevant continuity of employment order, you may still qualify for continuous service for redundancy calculations. If you are unsure, speak to your HR team.

The organisation welcomes flexible working patterns, including job share, and asks applicants to make their preferred working arrangement clear in the application. A guaranteed interview policy is in place for disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria.

As a non-departmental public body, the Environment Agency uses central government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment and cannot be contacted directly by post, email, or phone regarding supplier opportunities. The source also notes that applicants may use artificial intelligence as a support tool, but all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate, and based on their own experience. Applications may be withdrawn if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

About the team

Defra Group Fleet Services provides a coordinated fleet service across the Defra group, supporting consistency, efficiency, and innovation within the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate. The Contracts team is responsible for procurement, requirement shaping, and supplier management to ensure services remain value driven and effective.