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Contract owner

Ultimately accountable for the contract.

  • The Contract Owner is the senior responsible person for the contract.
  • They have overall accountability for outcomes, value, and risk.
  • Typically responsible for:
    • Approving key decisions and changes
    • Ensuring the contract aligns with business objectives
    • Stepping in when issues escalate beyond day-to-day management
  • Usually a senior manager or budget holder, not someone involved in routine admin.

Choose someone who: has authority, accountability, and oversight—not someone doing daily admin work.

Contract manager

Runs the contract day-to-day.

  • The Contract Manager is responsible for operational management of the contract.
  • They ensure the contract is working as intended on a daily basis.
  • Typical responsibilities:
    • Managing supplier performance and relationships
    • Monitoring deliverables, milestones, and KPIs
    • Handling issues, variations, and routine decisions
    • Keeping contract records up to date
  • This is the primary working role for managing the contract.

Choose someone who: understands the contract in detail and is actively managing its delivery.

Contract sponsor

Champions the contract at a strategic level.

  • The Contract Sponsor provides executive support and strategic direction, especially
    at contract-formulation stage.
  • They are not involved in day-to-day work but:
    • Ensure the contract remains aligned with organisational strategy
    • Advocate for the contract internally
    • Help unblock major issues or secure resources
  • Often acts as a stakeholder bridge between senior leadership and the contract team.

Choose someone who: has influence and interest in outcomes, but not operational responsibility.

Contract representative

Handles the day-to-day admin and coordination.

  • The Contract Representative supports the Contract Manager by doing hands-on
    administrative and operational tasks.
  • This role exists to keep things moving when the Manager cannot or should not do
    detailed admin.
  • Typical responsibilities:
    • Updating contract records, documents, and data
    • Coordinating communications and meetings
    • Tracking actions, deadlines, and compliance tasks
    • Uploading and organising files
  • They do the work, while the Manager oversees and decides.

Choose someone who: is detail-oriented, organised, and actively involved in contract administration.

Contract view (read-only)

Can see everything, change nothing.

  • This role provides visibility without the ability to edit.
  • Users can:
    • View contract details
    • Access associated documents and files
    • Track status and progress
  • They cannot:
    • Make changes
    • Upload or edit documents
    • Modify contract information

Choose this role for: stakeholders, auditors, governance teams, or anyone who needs insight without responsibility.

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