Contracts Executive - fixed term contract

Job summary

We are currently recruiting a Technical Contracts Executive to join our team. This role is offered on a 12-month, fixed-term contract, from December 2026, and works on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our Coventry HQ and the remainder working remotely from home, Monday to Friday.

As a Technical Contracts Executive, you will play a key role in supporting our research and knowledge exchange programmes by managing contracts, maintaining accurate project documentation and providing guidance on contractual processes. Working closely with project managers, contractors, procurement and legal colleagues, you will help ensure contracts are processed efficiently, risks are managed appropriately and programme activities run smoothly.

We're looking for someone who enjoys working in a structured environment, has a keen eye for detail and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality work. You'll be comfortable working with complex information, building relationships with a range of stakeholders and helping to ensure projects and contracts are managed efficiently from start to finish. Experience of contract management, project support or research administration would be advantageous.

About AHDB

We are the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British producers in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers, growers and processors, often where no one else can or will.

We share the expert, evidence-based research and reports that inform on-farm decision making. We promote British produce to the UK public through domestic marketing campaigns, and we identify and open new global export opportunities to help farm businesses grow.

We help levy payers learn more, sell more and export more to remain sustainable and profitable. Together, we deliver the insights, the influence and the impact that farmers need.

Job description

• Produce, process and maintain contracts, amendments and collaboration agreements for approved projects
• Act as the primary point of contact for contractor and contract-related queries
• Maintain accurate contract documentation, records and milestone tracking within SharePoint and other systems
• Work with procurement, legal and project teams to support contract negotiations and resolve issues
• Ensure contractual correspondence and agreed amendments are accurately recorded and maintained
• Support the coordination of research calls, tenders and project approval processes
• Maintain and improve contract management procedures, guidance and documentation
• Support colleagues across the Technical Programme Support team to deliver an efficient and effective service

Person specification

• Experience working with contracts, legal documentation or complex administrative processes
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage accurate records and documentation
• Ability to interpret detailed information and identify potential issues or risks
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships
• Experience using databases and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel

Benefits

The benefits…

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve

• 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, to include hybrid working
• 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition awards throughout the year
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications. For any queries or support with your application, you can contact us at [email removed]

At AHDB, we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.)

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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