Contracts Manager
Closing date: 09 May 2026
Band 7 – £49,387–£56,515 per annum, 37.5 hours per week, Pride House
We are seeking an experienced Estates and Facilities Contracts Manager (B7) to take a lead role in the commercial and contractual management of Hard and Soft FM services across the Trust.
You will be responsible for the full contract lifecycle, from complex specification and procurement through mobilisation, governance and day‑to‑day supplier performance management, covering areas such as M&E/statutory maintenance, reactive and planned works, cleaning, waste, catering, security and portering. You will ensure that all contracts deliver safe, compliant, cost‑effective services.
You will hold leadership responsibility for contract budgets, cost capture and recharges, ensuring accurate billing and robust financial control. You will manage challenging supplier relationships where necessary, applying contractual remedies, leading service improvement plans and supporting re‑procurement or exit strategies while protecting continuity of patient‑facing services.
Main duties of the job
The Estates & Facilities Contracts Manager is responsible for the full commercial lifecycle of estates and facilities contracts across the organisation. You will lead on complex specification development, procurement, mobilisation, contract governance and supplier performance management for hard and soft FM services. The role requires strong commercial and contract management expertise, an in‑depth understanding of statutory estates and M&E compliance, sound financial control and the ability to work collaboratively with clinical, procurement, H&S and operational stakeholders to ensure safe, continuous, cost‑effective service delivery.
Your leadership will ensure that FM services are aligned with the Trust's strategic objectives, including statutory compliance, infection control, environmental standards, patient safety, and service user satisfaction. You will facilitate procurement activities, review service contracts, support strategic service development, and implement performance improvement initiatives, actively contributing to a cohesive, customer‑focused estates and facilities function.
You will also work in partnership with the Finance Manager to ensure that all FM services are accurately costed, billed, and recovered from internal/external clients, including contractual recharges and SLA compliance. The role includes identifying new service opportunities, tendering for future contracts, and developing innovative solutions to meet evolving Trust needs.
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
* Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
* Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
* If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
* 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
* Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
* Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
* £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
* Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
* Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Job responsibilities
You will provide line management to the E&F Finance Support and Driver/Stores functions, setting clear standards for cost capture, recharging, inventory and logistics, and driving continuous improvement in customer service and operational efficiency. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded FM professional to shape how the Trust specifies, procures and manages its estates and facilities contracts, contributing directly to safety, quality, value for money and long‑term service resilience.
* Contract Lifecycle Management & Procurement
* Performance & Compliance Oversight
* Financial Management, Cost Capture and Recharges
* Systems Support, Customer Service & Stock Management
* Development of New Services & Tendering
* Quality Assurance, Compliance & Continual Improvement
* Teamwork
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
* Educated to degree level or equivalent in Facilities Management, Estates Management, Engineering, Business Administration or a related subject.
* Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to facilities or estate management
Knowledge
* Understanding of NHS procurement rules, public sector contracting, and best practice in contract management and performance monitoring
* Knowledge of ISO standards, environmental sustainability practices, and energy management in healthcare settings
Skills / Experience
* Significant experience of managing estates or facilities management contracts within a public sector or healthcare setting, including procurement, performance management, and service continuous improvement
* Experience of managing large‑scale estates or FM contracts across multiple hospital sites or regional estates portfolios
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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