Based on the job description, here are some potential competency and behavioral questions that you may be asked in an interview for the Contract Manager position:
**Leadership and Team Management**
1. Can you describe a time when you had to lead and motivate a team to achieve a challenging goal? How did you approach this, and what was the outcome?
2. How do you allocate resources and responsibilities within a team to deliver business results? Can you give an example from your previous experience?
3. Tell me about a time when you had to manage a team member who was underperforming. What steps did you take to address the issue, and what was the result?
**Contract Management and Negotiation**
1. Describe your experience of managing contracts that include a requirement to meet statutory compliance. Can you give an example of a particularly challenging contract you've managed, and how you ensured compliance?
2. How do you build and maintain relationships with contractors and stakeholders to continually improve the service? Can you tell me about a successful partnership you've developed in the past?
3. Can you walk me through your process for negotiating contracts and ensuring that they meet the needs of all parties involved?
**Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills**
1. Tell me about a time when you had to analyze complex data to inform a business decision. What insights did you gain, and how did you apply them?
2. Describe a situation where you identified a risk or issue with a contract or supplier. How did you assess the risk, and what steps did you take to mitigate it?
3. Can you give an example of a creative solution you've developed to address a complex problem in a contract or procurement process?
**Communication and Stakeholder Management**
1. Can you describe a time when you had to communicate complex information to a non-technical stakeholder? How did you approach this, and what strategies did you use to ensure they understood the information?
2. Tell me about a situation where you had to manage conflicting stakeholder expectations. How did you prioritize their needs, and what was the outcome?
3. How do you ensure that you are providing excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders? Can you give an example of a time when you received feedback on your customer service skills?
**Compliance and Risk Management**
1. Can you describe your understanding of relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, such as GDPR and Public Contract Regulations? How do you ensure that these requirements are met in your contract management work?
2. Tell me about a time when you identified a compliance risk or issue with a contract or supplier. How did you assess the risk, and what steps did you take to mitigate it?
3. How do you stay up-to-date with changing regulations and laws that impact your contract management work? Can you give an example of a time when you applied this knowledge to a contract or procurement process?
**Strategic Thinking and Planning**
1. Can you describe a time when you had to develop a strategic plan for a contract or procurement process? What steps did you take to ensure that the plan was successful, and what was the outcome?
2. Tell me about a situation where you had to make a commercial decision that balanced competing priorities and stakeholder needs. What factors did you consider, and what was the result?
3. How do you prioritize your work and allocate resources to meet competing demands and deadlines? Can you give an example of a time when you had to manage multiple projects or contracts simultaneously?
**Behavioral Questions**
1. Tell me about a time when you demonstrated the Guinness Behaviours in your work. How did you embody these behaviours, and what impact did it have on your team or stakeholders?
2. Can you describe a situation where you had to adapt to a changing situation or priority. How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
3. How do you handle ambiguity and uncertainty in your work? Can you give an example of a time when you had to navigate a complex or uncertain situation?
These questions are designed to assess your experience, skills, and behaviours in areas relevant to the Contract Manager role. Be prepared to provide specific examples from your past experience and to demonstrate your knowledge of contract management principles, regulations, and best practices.