Head of Contract Management

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is leading one of the most ambitious digital transformation agendas in government. The department is responsible for modernising how public services are designed, delivered and operated, replacing legacy approaches with platforms, products and delivery models designed to work at national scale.

This role focuses on contract management across the Government Digital Service (GDS) portfolio, supporting the operation and performance of nationally critical digital services and platforms. The scope spans major live services such as GOV.UK and One Login, alongside emerging areas including digital identity, the National Data Library and AI. This work sits at the heart of how government delivers services at scale, with a focus on maintaining service continuity, performance, value for money and effective supplier delivery across complex contracts.

This role supports the management of contracts underpinning major digital programmes as they scale, evolve and transition between delivery phases. You will take responsibility for defined areas of contract management activity, contributing to strong in-life governance, performance management and risk identification, helping programmes maintain control, assurance and value while delivering at pace.

You will work closely with contract owners, delivery teams and suppliers, supporting contract management, supplier performance and in-life commercial controls within your area. The work is fast-moving and often involves complex supplier arrangements, requiring sound judgement, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively to address issues and maintain delivery confidence.

DSIT Commercial operates as a central function, bringing together experienced commercial professionals supporting a broad portfolio of live contracts. While your primary focus will be GDS, you will be part of a wider commercial community, contributing to improved contract management practices, consistent standards and better visibility of in-life commercial performance across DSIT.

This role offers the chance to shape how digital government is delivered at scale, working on programmes that genuinely change how the state operates. If you are motivated by complex transformation, enjoy working where delivery, risk and innovation collide, and want to have real influence over high-impact digital programmes, this is a role where your judgement and expertise will matter.

The role supports major digital transformation initiatives, including nationally significant platforms and services that operate at scale across government.

The role includes line management alongside a strong focus on leading contract management across complex, high-profile digital delivery programmes. You will work closely with teams delivering GDS products and platforms, shaping and overseeing in-life commercial arrangements, including contract performance, supplier delivery and commercial controls across the lifecycle.

Key stakeholders include programme and delivery leaders within GDS, senior departmental officials, finance and legal colleagues, and a wide range of technology and delivery suppliers. You will act as a trusted commercial adviser, providing clear insight, surfacing risks early and supporting senior stakeholders to make informed decisions in complex delivery environments. You will be expected to challenge constructively and manage upwards to maintain confidence in delivery, value for money and commercial control.

You will lead contract management across a defined area of the digital, data and technology portfolio, taking accountability for in-life performance, governance and value for money. This includes managing supplier performance, maintaining effective commercial controls, and ensuring contracts adapt as services scale, transition or evolve. You will play a key role in escalating issues, driving resolution and ensuring senior stakeholders have clear line of sight over performance, risk and delivery confidence.

In addition to your portfolio responsibilities, you will contribute to DSIT Commercials wider objectives, including strengthening contract management capability, improving tools and processes, and supporting a consistent, pragmatic and portfolio-level approach to in-life commercial management across an evolving departmental portfolio.

These roles sit within DSITs central Commercial team, providing commercial leadership across some of the departments most high-impact digital programmes. Initial focus will be within the Government Digital Service (GDS) portfolio, including GOV.UK One Login, digital identity, the National Data Library, and emerging areas such as AI and digital capability. These programmes operate at national scale and are at the forefront of public sector transformation.

As a senior member of the DSIT Commercial team, youll lead commercial activity for a defined part of the GDS portfolio, working closely with delivery, digital, policy and operational colleagues. Youll report to a Deputy Director and play a visible leadership role across GDS and DSITs broader commercial function.

Locations:

The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.

Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.

This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.