Senior Contract Manager

Senior Contract Manager

Permanent

Reading - Hybrid

Drive value. Strengthen supplier partnerships. Enable commercial excellence.

The Senior Contract Manager plays a key leadership role within MBNL’s Commercial directorate, responsible for managing a portfolio of strategic suppliers and leading a team of commercial professionals. Working closely with business, project, supplier, and shareholder stakeholders, the role ensures strong commercial governance, maximises value from supplier relationships, and supports MBNL’s objective of delivering the best network experience at the lowest cost. Through effective contract management, supplier performance oversight, and commercial leadership, the role helps protect MBNL’s interests while driving efficiency and continuous improvement.

Why this role matters;

Strong commercial management is critical to MBNL’s ability to deliver value for shareholders, control costs, manage risk, and ensure supplier performance. This role provides leadership across the full supplier lifecycle, from supplier selection and contracting through to in‑life management and exit, ensuring contracts deliver the required outcomes while maintaining strong governance and compliance. This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 2 days per week in our Central Reading office.

What you’ll be here to do;

• Lead the commercial management of a defined supplier portfolio and associated supplier strategy

• Ensure all commercial activities comply with MBNL policies, governance, and approval processes

• Lead supplier sourcing, tendering, evaluation, and contract award activities

• Negotiate framework agreements, contract variations, and commercial terms

• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value creation, and commercial optimisation

• Manage supplier performance against contractual obligations and KPIs

• Develop commercial reports, business cases, negotiation strategies, and risk assessments

• Lead contract governance activities and support resolution of contractual disputes

• Work closely with project, technical, and operational teams to maximise supplier value and performance

• Influence key stakeholders, including shareholders, and present recommendations at governance forums

• Support audits and maintain accurate contract and supplier records within MBNL systems

• Lead, coach, and develop team members to build commercial capability and performance

• Promote continuous improvement and commercial best practice across MBNL

Who we’re looking for;

• Significant experience negotiating complex framework and supplier contracts

• Strong supplier and contract management experience within a commercial environment

• Good understanding of contract law and commercial risk management

• Experience managing commercial teams and developing people

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills

• Experience delivering commercial outcomes in complex, multi‑supplier environments

• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem‑solving capability

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results within tight timescales

• Commercial experience within IT, Enterprise Technology, or Corporate IT Services

If you also have the following, we’d especially like to hear from you;

• MCIPS, LLB, or other relevant professional qualifications

• Experience working within a joint venture or multi‑stakeholder organisation

• Experience supporting complex IT outsourcing or managed service environments

• Experience driving supplier transformation, efficiency, or cost‑saving programmes