Job Description

Post:

Contracts Manager

Reporting To:

Operations Manager

Responsible For: Effective delivery and performance achievement of Welfare to

Work Programme contracts (specifically Steps to Success) and other funded
contracts held or acquired by Armstrong Works (Northern Ireland) or associated
companies.
Delivery of business operations, contractual performance, partnership liaison,
business development and contract sustainability both centre based and outreach
(where applicable) and all associated staff.
Main contacts and Key Relationships
The Operations Manager, Directors, Prime Contractor staff, particularly Supply Chain
Manager and Contract Director, DEL, Job Centre and JBO contacts, external
stakeholders, employers (and employer forums) , the centre delivery teams, Head
Office and Service functions (HR, Finance, Estates, Directorate).
Job Context
The post holder will lead on the effective delivery and performance management of
contracts working with the Operations Manager and the management team. The
primary function is the management of a range of welfare to work provision primarily
Steps to Success (S2S) as well as managing performance of a number of legacy
programmes through to completion including Steps to Work (StW) and ESF
Contracts.
The S2S Programme will deliver a range of employability support for jobseekers
referred to us via Jobcentres and Jobs and Benefits Offices, initially in Bangor and
Newtownards. Provision will support jobseekers across the full range of benefit
strands in accessing timely and focused support to prepare for and move into
sustained employment. We aim to move jobseekers from benefit into sustained
employment by delivering a range of support including Employability coaching,
vacancy matching, mentoring and in work support.
Job Summary
The Contract Managers primary aim is to ensure achievement of contractual
objectives specifically in relation to the management of contract performance on job
starts, job outcomes and subsequent sustainment measurements. Ensuring the
effective and successful delivery of various centre based programmes to the
satisfaction of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Prime
Contractors, (most notably Ingeus) and any other funding partners, in line with the
companys vision and values.

The Contract Manager is responsible for ensuring achievement of performance

targets on all programmes and contracts in their area of responsibility and must be
competent at formulating plans to achieve performance, deliver best practice and
implement performance improvement strategies.
The Contract Manager is accountable for ensuring effective delivery of people and
performance management in order to ensure success in a Payment by Results
model. Ensuring contracts are adequately resourced and delivered to a high quality
standard, and be responsible for motivating and ensuring performance from staff
deployed across contracts, offering advice, guidance and development.
The Contract Manager is responsible for budgetary control, to ensure value for
money in all areas of centre and programme expenditure. Delivering the profitability
of the contracts, by careful and accurate budgeting, planning, operation and delivery
of targets. The accurate and timely submission of Management Information to Senior
Management and central office functions and services is essential.
To promote growth for the business by enhancing existing contract delivery and
seeking new opportunities for cost effective development and growth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Contract Management

The Contracts Manager is accountable for the performance of the S2S

Programme and other contracts as required, across the Companys offices
and delivery locations, to ensure that contractual outcomes and profiled
targets are met.

To provide regular and timely updates on individual contract performance and

activity levels to the Operations Manager and Senior Management Team.

To set, monitor and review contractual targets and contribute to the

development, implementation and achievement of strategic and operational
plans. To implement any required remedial action to rectify under
performance, to include timely escalation of any issues to the Operations
Manager.

To act as the primary local contact and liaison with Ingeus and where
necessary DEL. To ensure all contractual delivery objectives are being met
and, where necessary, work with Ingeus to formulate improvements plans.

To provide MI relating to individual Programmes performance and centre

performance, through submitting management reports on a timely and
accurate basis. This includes robust and accurate forecasting of performance
and subsequent income.

To identify opportunities for continuous improvement in performance

outcomes and customer satisfaction through the sharing of good practice
across the Companys offices, other delivery locations and contracts.

Environmental Scanning to ensure the business is equipped for eventualities

arising from external factors that may adversely impact our delivery.

Communication

To attend meetings with Ingeus and key stakeholders as necessary, To build

excellent working relationships with contract holders Supply Chain
Managers/Partnership Managers and other stakeholders to actively promote
the Company at all times.

To create, develop and maintain effective working relationships with

programme Delivery Managers, Senior Management and centre delivery staff.

To actively promote the Company to employers and external agencies

seeking business development opportunities for growing existing contracts or
additional contract acquisition.

Staff Coordination

To support all staff within offices to ensure that individual and team targets
are met.

To participate in the recruitment of staff and staff management including,

where necessary, conducting investigations and disciplinary hearings or
performance management appeals, in accordance with the companys
Disciplinary Policy and Performance Management and Capability policy.

To arrange conduct and record monthly performance appraisal meetings with

staff.

To offer advice, guidance and action planning using SSMARTER objective

setting, to continuously improve performance and to take further action where
appropriate for under performance, in line with the companys Performance
and Capability Policy.

To conduct and support staff with regular caseload reviews to ensure

optimised and efficient contract delivery.

Line Management responsibility for all centre staff including responsibility for
effective planning to accommodate for future staffing requirements.
Quality Assurance

Ensure that quality is considered at every step of delivery and encourage and
promote continuous improvement across all programmes.

Ensuring that all contracts are delivered to the benefit of the jobseekers whilst
complying with company, Prime Contractor and DEL requirements.

Maintain the highest level of Information Security awareness and Data

Protection compliance, ensuring adherence to Group ISMS Policies and
Procedures.

To bring to the attention of the Operations Manager any matters which are
considered to be potential risk factors to the company in areas such as
safeguarding, information and data security.

Resources

To monitor the use of the companys locations and offices to ensure

resources and spaces are used effectively, safely and offer value for money.
To liaise with our Estates Department wherever necessary.

General Duties

To carry out the duties of the post in line with the organisations policies and
procedures including equal opportunities, safeguarding and health and safety
and to ensure that staff are fully conversant with, and act within these policies
and procedures at all times

To carry out such relevant and appropriate duties commensurate with the
framework of the post and grade, that from time to time may be required by
management in consultation with the post holder.

Flexibility to work outside the normal contractual hours of the post, where
necessary for which time off in lieu will be granted.

To carry out the duties of the post, or other appropriately directed duties on
any site or external location as may be required.

This job description is subject to regular review in accordance with changing

organisational needs.

Person Specification Contract Manager

Essential
1

Presentation and marketing skills to effectively and professionally market a range of

delivery programmes

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3

Customer focused ensuring excellent level of customer service is attained

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to build good working
relationships with stakeholders, staff, jobseekers, learners, local support networks,
DEL, JCP and JBO staff

Leaderships skills in order to maintain a positive tone and ensure that individual
performance is supported and maximised, contributions are positively encouraged and
valued, giving direction and support to team members

Ability to motivate and inspire teams with confidence, to take responsibility for their
own roles within the programme and to carry out their duties to high performance
levels

Target orientated and able to multi-task effectively, organising own and others
workloads to enable deadline & target adherence

Adept in use of MS Office, Internet and email also MI reporting systems and
procedures with an attention to detail

Extensive experience with all aspects of people management to include; recruitment,

motivation, performance management, training and development of a large team of
employees.

Ability to ensure effective quality of provision and compliance with all internal and
external contract requirements.

10

Knowledge of requirements and operation of Steps to Success or other Welfare to

Work, DEL, ESF contracts including a good understanding of the relevant provision
provider guidance.
Experience of working at a senior level within in a target orientated, payment by
results (Welfare to Work) environment, ability to demonstrate setting and achieving
personal and group based targets

11

12

Knowledge of the local job market, employers, agencies and routes to employment. In
addition, familiarity with range of support services such as local voluntary
associations/partners and Jobcentres.

13

Knowledge and understanding of H&S practice and procedures including assessment

and management of risk and the application of safe working practices

14

Proven experience of budgetary control of large value Welfare to Work contracts

15

Willingness and ability to travel across a wide geographical area

Desirable
Full driving license with access to vehicle
Management qualification to NVQ 3 level (or above) or willingness to undertake this
study

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