Contracts & Projects Manager
| Posting date: | 13 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £39,152 to £44,075 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 March 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Are you ready to make a real impact on how vital services are delivered across Reading? We’re looking for a highly organised, proactive and collaborative Contracts & Projects Manager to support the Council’s procurement, contract management and project delivery functions. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to deepen their procurement expertise, strengthen contract management skills, and play a key role in improving value for money across the organisation.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About The Role:
In this varied and rewarding role, you’ll help ensure our procurement activity is efficient, compliant, and delivers high‑quality outcomes. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the Council as well as suppliers, contributing to the smooth running of procurement and contract administration processes.
You’ll support the development and delivery of procurement documentation, maintain accurate contract records, help manage supplier performance, and assist with project reporting and governance. You’ll also contribute to monitoring key projects, tracking milestones, managing change, and maintaining robust audit trails.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a busy environment, enjoys problem‑solving, and wants to grow their career in procurement, commercial administration or project coordination.
Duties will include:
Supporting day‑to‑day procurement activity and maintaining key documentation
Assisting with the development of specifications, evaluation templates and sourcing packs
Managing and updating the contract register and procurement pipeline
Publishing procurement notices and ensuring compliance with regulations
Coordinating supplier engagement and tracking routine contract management tasks
Supporting financial processes such as purchase orders, invoice handling and basic budget monitoring
Helping track project performance, risks, milestones and benefits
Providing administrative support across the directorate to ensure smooth project and programme delivery
About You:
We’re looking for someone with excellent organisational skills, great attention to detail, and the ability to communicate confidently with colleagues and suppliers.
You’ll bring:
Experience in procurement, contract administration or a related administrative role
Strong IT skills, including spreadsheets and document preparation
The ability to work to deadlines, follow processes, and manage multiple tasks
Have completed a relevant qualification e.g. Level 4 CIPS Diploma
Whether you already work in the public sector or are looking to transition into it, we’ll support your growth with training, development opportunities, and a clear pathway for progression.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Flora Challis - Contracts and Technical Support Manager – flora.challis@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 29th March 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 13th April 2026
Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About The Role:
In this varied and rewarding role, you’ll help ensure our procurement activity is efficient, compliant, and delivers high‑quality outcomes. You’ll work closely with colleagues across the Council as well as suppliers, contributing to the smooth running of procurement and contract administration processes.
You’ll support the development and delivery of procurement documentation, maintain accurate contract records, help manage supplier performance, and assist with project reporting and governance. You’ll also contribute to monitoring key projects, tracking milestones, managing change, and maintaining robust audit trails.
This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a busy environment, enjoys problem‑solving, and wants to grow their career in procurement, commercial administration or project coordination.
Duties will include:
Supporting day‑to‑day procurement activity and maintaining key documentation
Assisting with the development of specifications, evaluation templates and sourcing packs
Managing and updating the contract register and procurement pipeline
Publishing procurement notices and ensuring compliance with regulations
Coordinating supplier engagement and tracking routine contract management tasks
Supporting financial processes such as purchase orders, invoice handling and basic budget monitoring
Helping track project performance, risks, milestones and benefits
Providing administrative support across the directorate to ensure smooth project and programme delivery
About You:
We’re looking for someone with excellent organisational skills, great attention to detail, and the ability to communicate confidently with colleagues and suppliers.
You’ll bring:
Experience in procurement, contract administration or a related administrative role
Strong IT skills, including spreadsheets and document preparation
The ability to work to deadlines, follow processes, and manage multiple tasks
Have completed a relevant qualification e.g. Level 4 CIPS Diploma
Whether you already work in the public sector or are looking to transition into it, we’ll support your growth with training, development opportunities, and a clear pathway for progression.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Flora Challis - Contracts and Technical Support Manager – flora.challis@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 29th March 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 13th April 2026
Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.