Senior Contract and Procurement Manager presso Rail Delivery Group

Closing date: 11 September 2025
Salary Scale: £59,031 - £70,000 per annum

What is the purpose of this job?

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Senior Procurement and Contract Manager to lead the delivery of high-value, complex procurement and contract management activities across a broad range of categories. This is a strategic leadership role, key to ensuring RDG achieves value for money, compliance with public sector regulations, and strong supplier performance across all contracts.

As Senior Procurement and Contract Manager, you will play a pivotal role in supporting RDG’s work with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the wider rail industry during the transition to Great British Railways. Part of the role will be to lead on the procurement and management of complex, industry-wide contracts that underpin critical shared services such as ticketing, settlement systems, data platforms, and customer information. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Rail sector that will enable GBR to deliver a more integrated, efficient, and customer-focused railway.

The role will involve leading full end-to-end procurement processes ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act) and taking ownership of post-award contract and supplier relationship management. The role will also include managing and delivering a variety of procurement and contract related activities such as variations, contract change notes, extensions, statement of works, NDAs for example.

You will be expected to work closely with internal stakeholders to encourage a proactive culture towards procurement to drive best practice in sourcing, contract governance, risk management, and supplier performance monitoring.

You will play a key role in fostering long-term, collaborative supplier relationships that deliver commercial, operational, and social value benefits in line with the government’s procurement and sustainability goals.

The role will formally report to the Head of Procurement

What can I expect to do in this job?

Whilst not an exhaustive list below provides some of the activities for the role

·       Lead the End-to-End Procurement Process:

Plan, manage, and execute procurement activities across the full spectrum of contract values, including high-value tenders that exceed the relevant Public Contracts Regulations thresholds. Ensure full compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, associated statutory guidance, and internal governance frameworks.

·       Contract Lifecycle Management:

Oversee and deliver a wide range of contract and procurement support functions, including (but not limited to) contract extensions, variations, Statements of Work (SoWs), contract change control, and confidentiality agreements (NDAs). Ensure all contractual documents are aligned with organisational policy and legal requirements.

·       Promote a Proactive Procurement Culture:

Act as a champion for procurement best practice across the organisation. Influence internal stakeholders to adopt a forward-thinking, value-driven approach to procurement and contract management that supports corporate objectives and drives continuous improvement.

·       Provide Expert Procurement Advice and Guidance:

Advise project leads, contract owners, and wider operational teams on their obligations under RDG’s internal procurement policies and the wider regulatory framework (e.g. PA23, procurement thresholds, transparency, sustainability, and fair work practices). Ensure stakeholders are equipped to fulfil their procurement responsibilities effectively.

·       Support Robust Contract Management Practices:

Support the contract owners with the delivery of effective contract management, including the definition of key performance indicators (KPIs), service level agreements (SLAs), and regular supplier performance monitoring. Facilitate scheduled contract reviews to ensure delivery against agreed objectives and value for money. Ensure contract end dates for all Suppliers assigned to your responsibility are known and that a procurement strategy is agreed with the business where possible.

·       Lead Strategic Procurement and Supplier Negotiations:

Take ownership or provide support on complex, high-risk, or high-value procurement exercises. Negotiate contract terms and commercial conditions that align with organisational goals and ensure the procurement of services on optimal terms.

·       Ensure Compliance with Internal Procedures and Governance:

Maintain full adherence to RDG’s internal procurement procedures, governance checkpoints, and audit requirements. Ensure timely and accurate completion of all procurement documentation, approvals, and records in line with organisational and regulatory standards.

·       Category and Cross-Functional Procurement Support:

While not restricted to a specific category, the role is likely to have a primary focus on supporting marketing-related procurement activities, including media, communications, and creative services. Additionally, the role will require cross functional procurement and contract management support as required by the business across a range of areas such as Ticketing & retail systems, Rail settlement systems, National railcards & schemes, Information Services, Industry-wide technology & IT services etc.

Who will my key contacts be?

Internal

o   The Legal and Procurement Division

o   The Finance team

o   Core Services as a whole

o   Across the Rail Delivery Group organisation with project managers, team leaders and a wide range of other colleagues

External

o   Department for Transport, Great British Railways Transition Team and Network Rail

o   Train Operating Companies

o   Suppliers and advisors

Requirements

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Educated to Degree Level or have relevant Contract & Procurement management experience

MCIPS qualified or working towards qualification

Technical Competencies (Experience and Knowledge) This section contains the level of competency required to carry out the role.

Experience

A minimum of five years’ experience in a Procurement Role within the Public Sector

Public Procurement Legislation & Compliance

In-depth knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and UCR2016 Public Contracts Regulations and associated statutory guidance.

Understanding of the thresholds, procedures, and transparency requirements applicable to public sector procurements.

Ability to ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and audit requirements throughout the procurement lifecycle.

Procurement Planning & Tendering

Experience planning and running above and below-threshold competitive tender exercises, including open, restricted, and negotiated procedures.

Competence in drafting and finalising tender documentation (e.g. CoP, CFP, RfP, RfQ, specifications, award criteria, evaluation methodology etc).

Procurement and Contract work

Experience in delivering a wide range of contract and procurement support functions, including (but not limited to) contract extensions, variations, Statements of Work (SoWs), contract change control, and confidentiality agreements (NDAs)

Contract Law & Commercial Awareness

Strong working knowledge of UK contract law as it applies to public sector procurement.

Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contract terms and conditions.

Ability to assess commercial risk and apply appropriate mitigation strategies.

Contract Management & Supplier Performance

Competent in delivering contract management, KPIs, and SLAs etc.

Ability to lead performance reviews, manage contract changes, and ensure continuous improvement.

Understanding of supplier relationship management and dispute resolution processes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

Skilled in engaging cross-functional stakeholders, including legal, finance, project teams, and senior leadership.

Ability to provide clear, practical procurement advice tailored to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Able to use Microsoft Office products proficiently, in particular MS Word and Excel.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave
• 75% reduction on UK rail travel (for work and leisure) - more below
• Reduced international rail travel
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Contributory defined benefit pension scheme
• Give As You Earn scheme
• Subsidised private medical care
• Healthcare cash plan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme scheme
• Flexible working
• 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (subject to eligibility)
• Personal Development Days
• Employees may sell up to a maximum of five days’ leave.  Employees can buy up to a maximum of five days’ leave. These figures will be pro rata for part-time employees