Job Description

Based at either Manchester Airport, London Stansted Airport, East Midlands Airport or our London office
Permanent role
Flexible/Hybrid working for a better work/life balance
We are proud to be a diverse employer, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds

About MAG
At MAG we provide the airport facilities and travel services that people need to connect with the world. As the largest UK owned airport operator, we serve over 66 million passengers a year from Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports. With over 270 destinations across the globe, our businesses not only bring people together but also support the prosperity of the regions in which we operate. Sustainability is one of our core values, and it shapes everything we do. We're committed to protecting the environment and supporting our local communities. Our programmes include airport and airline decarbonisation, comprehensive education, skills and employment support and community engagement initiatives including volunteering opportunities. At MAG, we recognise creating a first-class journey for our customers starts by creating a first-class career journey for our colleagues and we are committed to building inclusive environments in which our people can thrive. You’ll also have access to some great benefits including:
• Bonus scheme
• 10% company contribution pension
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Free parking
• Subsidised public transport
• Huge range of company discounts
• 2 volunteering days per year
• Free Virtual GP service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Care Concierge service

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up. As our new Contracts Centre of Excellence Manager, you'll establish and embed MAG's first Group-wide Contract Management Centre of Excellence, creating the frameworks, standards and governance that will shape how contracts are managed across Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands Airports and CAVU. Reporting to the Head of Procurement Strategy & Enablement, you'll work across a portfolio of more than £500m of third-party spend, helping ensure contracts consistently deliver commercial value, manage risk effectively and support safe, resilient and sustainable operations. Rather than inheriting an existing function, you'll have the opportunity to design the policies, templates, guidance and best practice that colleagues across Procurement and the wider business will rely upon for years to come. Working closely with Procurement, Legal, Finance, Risk, Sustainability and operational stakeholders, you'll influence senior decision-makers, build capability across the organisation and drive continuous improvement without direct line management responsibility. Initially an individual contributor role, this position offers the opportunity to shape a brand-new capability, with future leadership potential as the function matures. Key responsibilities include...

• Design, implement and continuously improve MAG's Contract Management Centre of Excellence, establishing policies, standards, templates and toolkits that support consistent contract management across the Group.
• Provide expert commercial support on complex and high-value contracts, ensuring alignment with MAG's governance, risk, sustainability and commercial objectives.
• Develop and embed best practice contract management processes that maximise value, improve compliance and reduce commercial risk.
• Build capability across Procurement and the wider business through coaching, guidance, training and practical support.
• Produce reporting and insight on contract governance, compliance and maturity, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders across Procurement, Legal, Finance, Risk, Sustainability and Operations to influence strategic commercial decisions.
• Champion robust contract management practices that support operational resilience and long-term business performance.
• Help shape the future direction of contract governance across MAG by driving consistency, innovation and commercial excellence.

What Will Make You Successful

• You'll have significant experience within procurement, commercial management or contract management, ideally gained within a complex organisation where governance, stakeholder management and commercial performance are critical.
• You'll enjoy creating structure, influencing change and improving the way organisations manage strategic supplier relationships.
• You'll bring strong knowledge of contract governance, commercial risk and performance management, alongside the confidence to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• You'll be an excellent communicator who can simplify complex commercial challenges, build trusted relationships and help colleagues adopt new ways of working.
• Experience working within a regulated, infrastructure or safety-critical environment would be advantageous, as would previous experience establishing a Contract Management Centre of Excellence, commercial governance framework or contract lifecycle management capability.
• Professional procurement or commercial qualifications are welcomed but equivalent experience is equally valued.

Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments

We’re building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We’re on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. With so many exciting roles across our airports and businesses, there’s space for your unique strengths to shine.

Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you – even if you don’t think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We’re committed to helping you perform at your best.

At MAG, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that: Women’s Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.