Pick of the Bunch: Kris, Contract Manager at Glendale

Glendale is pleased to shine the spotlight on Kris, a Contract Manager whose work supports the smooth running of local council contracts, client relationships, operational delivery, and green space management. With a busy role that combines office-based planning with hands-on site involvement, Kris brings energy, focus, and strong leadership to every part of the job.

Balancing Office Work and Time on Site

For Kris, one of the most enjoyable parts of the role is the variety it brings. His work covers contract finances, health and safety, operational reporting, client meetings, and site audits. This balance between desk-based responsibilities and time spent out in parks and green spaces keeps each day interesting.

Seeing outdoor spaces come to life is especially rewarding. Kris values the visible impact that well-managed grounds can have on communities, and he enjoys learning something new every day.

A Busy and Varied Role

Kris describes his work life as very busy, but in a positive way. Running a local council contract means that no two days are the same. One day may involve budgets, reports, and scheduling, while the next may focus on client meetings, site inspections, operational issues, or supporting teams on the ground.

This variety is one of the reasons the role suits him so well. It requires quick thinking, strong organisation, and the ability to manage different priorities while keeping service delivery on track.

Finding Satisfaction in Team Success

For Kris, some of the best moments at work come from seeing the team solve difficult problems. Overcoming challenges together and knowing that improvements have been made gives him a real sense of achievement.

Positive feedback from clients also means a great deal, especially after a demanding job. A strong review after a tough piece of work reminds Kris that the effort, planning, and teamwork have made a difference.

Growing into Contract Management

Kris joined Glendale in March 2019 through a TUPE transfer as a Team Leader. From there, he progressed into a Supervisor role before moving naturally into contract management.

Although he had considered management before, he had not actively pushed for it at the time. He had previously studied management and marketing at university but had to stop his studies due to external circumstances. However, his skills, drive, and working style made contract management a strong fit.

Kris describes himself as energetic, hard-working, and confident in negotiation. He enjoys making decisions, keeping things moving during difficult situations, and finding fair solutions when conflicts arise.

Choosing Glendale

Kris chose to transfer to Glendale because of the company’s reputation. He wanted to work somewhere that took development seriously and gave people the chance to progress.

Since joining, he has completed several courses and programmes that have helped him build his skills and learn more about himself as a leader. Glendale’s trust in him has also played a major part in his progression. Being given the freedom to run contracts like his own business has helped him move into higher-level leadership more quickly.

Developing Skills and Confidence

Since joining Glendale, Kris has seen his problem-solving and emotional intelligence skills develop. These skills have helped him manage people more effectively, respond to challenges, and adapt to different situations.

Running contracts has also made him more resilient and strategic. The role has strengthened his ability to manage pressure, make decisions, and think carefully about the needs of clients, teams, and the wider business.

Turning Challenges into Progress

One of Kris’s proudest achievements came when he took over his current contract. At the time, client satisfaction was low and the contract was operating at a loss. Kris turned the situation around by improving processes, reorganising schedules, and strengthening client communication.

As a result, the contract returned to profitability and secured an extension with an uplift. On a previous contract, Kris also improved performance and delivered stronger commercial results than expected while maintaining high service standards for the client.

These achievements reflect his practical approach to leadership and his ability to bring structure, focus, and improvement to demanding contracts.

Managing Competing Demands

One of the biggest challenges Kris has faced is balancing the needs of clients, stakeholders, and operational teams while still maintaining strong delivery. This requires careful prioritisation, tight resource management, and a constant focus on safety and compliance.

Although this can be demanding, Kris sees it as one of the areas where he learns the most. The challenge of managing different pressures is also one of the parts of the job he enjoys.

The Skills Behind Strong Contract Management

In Kris’s view, communication is one of the most important skills for a Contract Manager. The role requires the ability to switch communication styles depending on the situation.

A Contract Manager may need to discuss finances with senior managers, negotiate with clients, and lead field teams with confidence. Being able to adapt the message, understand the audience, and keep people motivated is key to keeping contracts running well.

A Career with Visible Results

Kris believes more people should consider contract management in the grounds maintenance industry because the work creates clear, positive results. Better green spaces, happier communities, and improved biodiversity all show the value of the role.

For anyone who enjoys business management, leadership, and work with a clear environmental purpose, Kris sees this as a rewarding career path.

His story shows how hard work, trust, and development can lead to strong career progression. From Team Leader to Contract Manager, Kris has built a role that allows him to lead people, improve services, and make a real difference to the spaces that communities use every day.