Contract Manager

We are proud to be at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers , doing the right thing, and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands. With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Nine times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work. At EMR we want to proactively embrace diversity across our workforce and recognise that we are under-represented in terms of females and ethnic minority groups. We’re therefore taking positive steps to promote a positive and inclusive culture; we welcome applications from those that identify with these groups to better represent our communities. We have an exciting opportunity to join #TeamEMR as a Class 810 Contract Manager . We are seeking a proactive and commercially astute individual to oversee EMR’s lease and train service agreements. You will ensure full contractual compliance by all parties, safeguarding EMR’s contractual interests, identify and manage risks and opportunities, minimise redelivery exposure, and lead negotiations and performance management to secure optimal value. You will also manage leases, depot access agreements, and associated billing, delivering outcomes that align with EMR’s strategic and commercial objectives. Key responsibilities include: 1. Contract Compliance & Oversight Ensure all parties—including EMR, the Owner, and the Maintainer—adhere to lease agreements and Train Service Agreements. Monitor obligations and enforce accountability across stakeholders. 2. Commercial Performance & Value Extraction Maximise value from contractual relationships through proactive management, negotiation, and performance tracking. Identify opportunities to enhance commercial outcomes for EMR. 3. Risk & Liability Management Analyse contractual risks, liabilities, and opportunities. Ensure the business is fully informed and appropriate provisions are made to mitigate exposure, particularly Redelivery risk. 4. Performance Management Administer performance regimes in strict accordance with contractual frameworks. Defend EMR’s interests and ensure performance incentives and penalties are applied fairly and strategically. 5. Contract Variations & Change Control Lead negotiations on contract variations to ensure outcomes align with EMR’s strategic objectives and deliver measurable benefits. 6. Stakeholder Engagement Collaborate with internal teams, legal advisors, and external partners to ensure seamless contract delivery and resolution of disputes or non-compliance. 7. Depot Leases & Access Agreements Manage, negotiate, and administer the Etches Park Depot Lease and Depot Access Agreements. Ensure agreements are up to date and charges are applied correctly. What we’re looking for Qualified to degree level in Law or CIPS; engineering qualification (HNC/Degree) is advantageous. Proficient in Microsoft Office, with strong Excel skills. Exceptional negotiation and contract management expertise. Proven ability to communicate effectively across departments and with external suppliers. Strong collaborator with experience driving business outcomes. As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you: An excellent defined benefit pension scheme 32 days’ holiday per year, rising to 34 after 2 years Free First-Class duty travel on the EMR network Free standard leisure travel on the EMR network and Train Operating Companies under Transport UK & LNER 75% discount on national leisure travel (inc partner and dependants) Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network Various training opportunities Employee benefits portal with access to generous discounts, Cycle 2 Work Scheme …and many more We are open minded to applications from people who wish to have flexible working. Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking. Ready to take on this exciting opportunity? Submit your online application form and upload your CV. As we operate a blind screening process please remove all personal information including your name from your CV.