DBS Operational Management Team Contracts - Contract Manager
Description
- Job grade: Higher Executive Officer
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: MOD - National Armaments Directorate - DBS
- Type of role: Procurement and Contracts Management
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
About the job
Job summary
Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?
Would you like to work for the Ministry of Defence?
Defence Business Services (DBS) is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry.
DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UK’s Defence and Security. Services include Human Resources, Pay, Veterans, Finance and Procurement.
The 2025 – 2030 Corporate Plan came up with a new mission and vision which are now:
Vision
To be the best shared service centre in Government
Mission
Proudly delivering excellence in shared services, through customer centric solutions to enable Defence outcomes
DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society.
We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible to you and offer a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.
Come and join the DBS community today!
https://youtu.be/gUw0ToaRGgk
DBS is part of The National Armaments Directorate (NAD) Group which is at the heart of delivering and sustaining the UK’s defence capability. Bringing together organisations responsible for developing, procuring, supporting and modernising Defence equipment, infrastructure and services, the Directorate works closely with industry, international partners and academia to ensure the Armed Forces have the capabilities they need to deter threats, protect the nation and succeed on operations. NAD drives innovation, operational readiness and value for money while supporting economic growth and strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base.
Between April & September 2027 the role you are applying for will move from Tomlinson House Norcross to the new MOD building at Station View, Talbot Gateway, Blackpool. For successful external/new candidates to DBS please note this post does not qualify for relocation allowances.
Job description
DBS plays a vital role in supporting the MOD, delivering essential business services that enable Defence to operate effectively and efficiently.
Within DBS, the Operational Management Team, Contract Management Team, is responsible for providing effective commercial oversight, governance and performance management across a diverse portfolio of contracts that support the wider Defence organisation.
Our team plays a key role in ensuring that contracts deliver value for money, meet operational requirements and achieve agreed performance standards, while maintaining compliance with contractual obligations and Government commercial policies.
Working collaboratively with suppliers, commercial colleagues and stakeholders across Defence, we proactively manage procurement activity, approvals, contractual risks, monitor supplier performance, oversee financial commitments and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
We are a forward-thinking and collaborative team, committed to strengthening contract management capability through robust governance, effective stakeholder engagement and the development of innovative tools and processes that improve transparency, accountability and decision-making.
Responsibilities:
From Requirement Definition & Business Case Approval through to Contract Completion, manage the end-to-end lifecycle of a team portfolio of circa 22 Shared Service Contracts. Ensure robust plans are in place for replacement contracts, ensuring no gaps in service provision.
- Ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, internal governance requirements and MOD Commercial Policy.
- Providing contractual advice and guidance to project teams, stakeholders and suppliers.
- Supporting procurement, contract award and mobilisation activities.
- Managing contract performance, identifying contractual risks and implementing mitigation measures.
- Reviewing and administering contract changes, ensuring appropriate governance and commercial controls are maintained.
- Supporting the resolution of contractual issues, disputes and claims in accordance with contract provisions.
- Building effective relationships with clients, contractors, suppliers and key project stakeholders.
- Driving continuous improvement and the implementation of commercial and contractual best practices across the programme.
- Line Management of 1 Contract Support Officer.
Person specification
We are looking for an organised and proactive individual with experience of managing contracts and supplier relationships. You will be able to apply sound commercial judgement, maintain effective governance and work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure contracts deliver operational requirements and value for money.
Essential criteria
- Communication and stakeholder engagement:The ability to explain matters clearly, provide practical advice and build effective relationships with suppliers, commercial colleagues and operational stakeholders.
- Planning and prioritisation: Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a portfolio of contracts, competing deadlines and dependencies, including planning timely replacement activity to maintain continuity of service.
- Performance and risk management: Experience of monitoring delivery against agreed performance standards, identifying risks and taking action to address issues or underperformance.
- Analysis and financial awareness: The ability to interpret contractual, performance and financial information, scrutinise commitments and identify issues or opportunities to improve value for money.
- Problem-solving and continuous improvement: The ability to resolve issues constructively, recognise when escalation is required and improve contract management processes, tools and reporting.
- People management: The ability to set clear priorities, delegate work and support the development of a Contract Support Officer.
Desirable criteria
- Contract management: Experience of managing contracts across the contract lifecycle, including supporting procurement, mobilisation, performance management, contract changes and expiry or replacement planning.
- Procurement controls: A sound understanding of contractual obligations, commercial controls and approval processes, with the ability to apply relevant policies and maintain accurate, auditable records.
- Commercial policy: Knowledge of MOD commercial policy and governance arrangements.
- Procurement approvals: Experience of supporting requirement definition, business cases and procurement approvals.
- Commercial Qualification: A relevant commercial, procurement or contract management qualification or accreditation, or willingness to work towards one.
Applicants should have completed, or willing to complete in first two months of taking up post, The Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP) - Foundation Level Certificate
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
- An environment with flexible working options Monday-Friday
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service (pro rata). In addition to 8 public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for His Majesty The King’s birthday
- Hybrid working where role permits
- An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition
- Family-friendly policies including - parental leave and adoption leave
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Professional and personal development of skills
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Minimum of 15 days special leave in a rolling 12 month period for volunteer reserve commitments
- Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at .
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
Please ensure that at the application and interview stages of the campaign you review the Success Profiles Framework to assist you in the demonstration of your skills and experience.
Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly, and the successful candidate will be appointed on merit.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and previous skills and experience.
Personal Statement:
Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability (750 Word Max).
At sift, candidates will be assessed against their CV and Statement of suitability and the following:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
Applications will be sifted on all Success Profile elements, but in the event of a high number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted on the following success profile elements:
Primary: Personal Statement
In the rare case where individuals have exact matching scores, the order of merit will be determined based on the behaviour scores at interview in the following order:
1 - Career - Personal Statement
2 - Behaviour - Communicating and Influencing
3 - Behaviour - Seeing the Big Picture
4 - Behaviour - Leadership
5 - Behaviour - Changing and Improving
If candidate scores are still exact, the merit order will then be determined on the sift score in the following order:
1 - Career - Job History
2 - Career - Previous Skills
3 - Career - Personal Statement
4 - Behaviour - Communicating and Influencing
5 - Behaviour - Seeing the Big Picture
6 - Behaviour - Leadership
7 - Behaviour - Changing and Improving
Sift start date: 16/11/2026
Interviews are currently taking place via the following method: Face to face
Interview start date: 30/11/2026
Further information:
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Steve Tomlisson
- Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
- Email : [email protected]
Further information
Attachments
| Candidate Information 2025 Opens in new window (docx, 31kB) |
| Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB) |
| MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1563kB) |
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