Equine Groom Contract Manager

Do you have experience leading operational teams in a professional equine environment, with the judgement to balance service delivery, equine welfare, staff safety and client requirements? The Colleges' Partnership (TCP) is looking for a Contract Manager to lead the safe, effective and efficient delivery of the Equine Groom Support Contract. Reporting to the CEO, you'll have overall management and accountability for the contract, coordinating people, resources, operational delivery, client relationships and performance across multiple locations. Working through site leads and appropriately qualified specialists, you'll ensure equine welfare remains central to delivery while respecting established military command arrangements, veterinary authority and professional responsibilities. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the contract workforce, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations and effective management arrangements across geographically dispersed teams. Coordinating staffing, rotas, deployment and resources to meet contractual requirements and maintain service continuity, including contingency arrangements for shortages and operational disruption.
• Overseeing equine husbandry, welfare, stable and field care, exercise, schooling and remount-development support in line with contractual and operational requirements.
• Coordinating effectively with military representatives and qualified veterinary, rehabilitation and farriery professionals, ensuring specialist activities remain within appropriate professional boundaries.
• Acting as TCP's principal operational contact for the contract, building effective relationships with military representatives, site leads and Headquarters London District.
• Ensuring appropriate health and safety arrangements, staff competence, mandatory training, risk assessments and incident management are maintained across the service.
• Monitoring performance against contractual requirements and KPIs, addressing shortfalls and managing operational and contractual risks.
• Leading contract mobilisation and operational change while identifying opportunities to improve service quality, efficiency, workforce capability and consistency. What you'll bring:
• Experience leading and managing operational teams, with responsibility for performance, standards and day-to-day service delivery.
• Relevant experience within an equine environment, with sound knowledge of equine welfare and husbandry and the ability to recognise and challenge unsafe or inappropriate practice.
• Experience of workforce planning, including staffing, rotas, deployment and maintaining service continuity.
• Experience managing resources and expenditure within agreed budgets or financial controls.
• Experience managing client or stakeholder relationships and resolving operational or service-delivery issues.
• A relevant Level 4+ management qualification, equivalent professional experience, or willingness to work towards an appropriate qualification.
• Strong planning, communication and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate contractual requirements into effective operational delivery.
• Confidence using management information and digital systems to identify risks, monitor performance and support effective decision-making.
• A full driving licence and the ability and willingness to travel regularly between contract locations.
• The ability to satisfy the security, background-check and military site-access requirements applicable to the contract. A relevant equine qualification, or recognised contract management, project management or health and safety qualification, is desirable rather than essential. Experience of MOD contracts, military working horses, ceremonial equine environments, multi-site services or contract mobilisation would also be advantageous. We offer:
• £42,551.79 per annum.
• Company Car (EV - Polestar 2).
• 33 days' annual leave inclusive of bank holidays.
• Enhanced sick, maternity and paternity pay.
• Perkbox employee benefits and discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Training and ongoing professional development. If you combine equine operational knowledge with strong people and contract management skills and can lead a geographically dispersed service where welfare, safety and performance are critical, we'd like to hear from you.