Contract Manager

That’s why you’ll want to work as a contract manager at NS

• You play a key role in maximizing contract performance and minimizing risks within complex IT contracts.
• You’ll work closely with various internal teams and external partners, allowing you to make a real difference in collaboration and contract execution.
• You help develop contracts that can adapt to a constantly changing environment, while ensuring compliance with financial guidelines.

Sophie, Contract Manager:"At NS, you have the freedom to make a real impact. It’s a dynamic role where you not only work on optimizing contracts but also help set the course in collaboration with various teams and suppliers. Don’t be afraid to take action and share your perspective—that’s what makes the difference!"

Here's what you'll be doing as a contract manager

The Contract Manager ensures that agreements with suppliers are clear, transparent, and verifiable. Together with the contract owner, he or she is responsible for optimizing contracts, monitoring financial parameters, and minimizing contract and software risks. In addition, the Contract Manager drives renewal and innovation and ensures that contracts are adapted to a constantly changing environment. Thanks to your results-oriented approach and strong collaboration skills, you are invaluable in: 

• You will assist in drafting, implementing, and managing contracts.
• You will monitor agreements and ensure compliance and optimization.
• You evaluate supplier services and initiate improvements or terminations.
• You identify risks and drive mitigation efforts through clear analyses.
• You manage contract budgets and monitor the (software) budget.
• You manage suppliers and internal stakeholders based on results and risk.
• You ensure timely and clear communication with all parties involved.
• You identify contracts that are about to expire and keep files up to date.
• You will make suggestions for improving processes, costs, and quality.

This is where you'll be working

The Contract Expert is part of the Central Platform Organization (CPO) and works within the Contract & Vendor Management functional cluster. In this role, you will support multiple business units, platform teams, clusters, and other IT teams.

You will participate in meetings with business leads, (management team) IT leads, cluster leads, project management experts, and product owners. In addition, you will actively coordinate with suppliers, procurement, legal, and financial controllers to reach clear and actionable agreements.

At NS, we believe diversity and inclusion are important; they make working together more enjoyable and often lead to better results. So, regardless of your background or personal beliefs, we’re most interested in hearing your perspective on the role of contract manager.

These are the job requirements

• A university-level education and analytical skills, with a degree in one of the following fields: IT, law, business administration, or business economics.
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in a similar position.
• Training or certification in CATS CM and agile methodologies.
• You can translate business objectives into measurable KPIs and effectively identify and manage risks.
• You are results-oriented and decisive, stay in close contact with internal stakeholders and suppliers, and take action when necessary.
• You have excellent contract management skills and ensure that documentation is well-organized, transparent, and submitted on time.
• You have strong analytical skills, can quickly grasp the details of contracts, and come up with well-reasoned suggestions for improvement.

At NS, we operate according to the following three behavioral characteristics: speaking up, boldness, and a willingness to change. For this role within this team, the emphasis is on boldness. This means you must be able to make decisions and implement them decisively, even when the situation is uncertain. You have the courage to identify risks and propose concrete mitigating measures. You have the guts to take action based on signals or deviations and are willing to share your views, which is essential for the success of the team and the organization.

These are the terms of employment

Working at NS means you can make a difference in the dynamic world of sustainable mobility. You’ll help keep the Netherlands accessible to everyone. At NS, you’ll enjoy a great deal of freedom. There are plenty of opportunities for personal growth. We promise you that no two days will be the same. And as one of the best employers in the Netherlands, we have even more to offer. For this position, that includes:

• A salary between €4,190 and €7,015 gross per month (based on a 36-hour workweek). 
• A 36-hour workweek.  
• 144 hours of statutory leave (based on full-time employment) + additional leave depending on age (at least one week). 
• The option to exchange 3 Christian holidays for 3 non-Christian holidays. 
• A 3% year-end bonus, an 8% vacation allowance, and anexcellent pension plan.  
• Your train travel in second class is free; you can travel in first class for a small fee. 
• Your family travels for free during off-peak hours. 
• Get a discount on European train travel after you’ve worked at NS for one year.  
• Professional development opportunities. 
• A benefits plan that includes options such as a bicycle allowance, additional pension contributions, or extra vacation days. 
• Want to know more? Check out the NS collective bargaining agreementhere. 

Apply for this job

Apply now(but be sure to do so by May 21)using the application button. You’ll receive an automatic confirmation within a few minutes, and we’ll respond to your application within two weeks.  

Please send your application to Maaike van der Linden, Corporate IT Recruiter.  

Do you have any questions about the application process? Please emailKarin in our front office atrecruitment@ns.nl.

Would you prefer to contact us by phone?Please call our front office at 088-6713666. 

Good to know: 

• A background check, including a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), is part of the application process. This also includes signing an integrity statement and a confidentiality agreement.  
• We believe it’s important that everyone who works with us feels at home. This is reflected in everything we do, including our hiring policy. Read morehere. 
• We are posting this job opening to recruit our new colleague directly. This is therefore not a call for business development. This position cannot be filled on an interim basis. Please visit ourstaffing page for such opportunities.