Contracts Manager - Electric Vehicle Infrastructure & Transport Innovation

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting a Contracts Manager – Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Transport Innovation to join our Traffic and Transportation team at Milton Keynes City Council.

Our team plays a key role in delivering transport improvements across the city, including developing and managing our electric vehicle infrastructure network and wider transport innovation projects. You’ll help shape how people travel around Milton Keynes, supporting greener journeys and contributing to our ambition to tackle climate change and create cleaner, safer and healthier communities.

In this role, you’ll lead on managing contracts for electric vehicle infrastructure and transport innovation services. You’ll work closely with colleagues in procurement, legal and finance, as well as with external partners. Your work will directly support the growth of Milton Keynes’ electric vehicle charging network and other innovative transport initiatives.

This is a senior and rewarding role, suited to someone with strong experience in contract management within highways, infrastructure or a related field. You’ll also deputise for the Programme Manager when required, helping to lead the service and support colleagues across the team.

This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home‑based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site.

Interviews for this role will be held on 28th July 2026

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Role Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver contracts for electric vehicle infrastructure and transport innovation services, ensuring they meet council and government standards
• Work with procurement, legal and finance colleagues to negotiate and manage contracts, including concession income arrangements
• Monitor contract performance using key performance indicators and supplier reviews, making improvements where needed
• Proactively analyse contracts to ensure performance standards are being met
• Oversee budgets, invoices and financial tracking linked to contracts and programmes
• Present updates and reports to senior leaders, boards and councillors on contract performance and progress
• Support the delivery and expansion of the council’s electric vehicle network and wider sustainable transport initiatives

Ideal Candidate

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject
• Significant experience in contract management and development, ideally within highways, infrastructure or a related field
• Strong negotiation skills, including managing financial and performance elements of contracts
• Good knowledge of the electric vehicle infrastructure sector and its regulatory environment
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and external suppliers
• Organised and adaptable, able to manage multiple priorities and respond to change
• Proactive, with the confidence to suggest improvements and contribute new ideas

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.