Senior Contract Manager

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

AWE is an organisation with a unique and vital purpose: protecting the UK through world-class nuclear science and technology. By joining our team as a Senior Contract Manager, you’ll help deliver the infrastructure and facilities that enable this mission, by managing new complex utilities contracts.

As Senior Contract Manager for our utilities infrastructure, you will lead and deliver strategic contract solutions across a complex utilities capital programme, including electrical works, water and gases. The successful individual will develop and implement robust contracts,  oversee the performance of agreed contracts and frameworks, leading commercial negotiations within technically high-risk contractual environments.  

Salary: from £63,000 to £80,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience)

Location: Reading, with occasional travel to Aldermaston and Burghfield sites.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

As the Senior Contract Manager, you will be developing and implementing contracting policy, boilerplate templates, frameworks for contract management planning and keep up to date on overarching governance which you will be responsible is built into AWE process and procedures.

You will also work with stakeholders across commercial, including complex utilities contracts, providing advice and guidance on contract management. Be responsible for defining contract terms, strategic and governance planning, contract options management, KPI reviews, managing tier 1 suppliers, contract disputes/resolution, earned value management, risk management, agreeing work orders and liaising with stakeholders. This includes managing a team to administer contracts and team member development.

Who are we looking for?

We are ideally seeking individuals with experience in managing infrastructure contracts and have public procurement regulations knowledge. You will understand the end-to-end procurement process, including pre and post contract, and be an experienced NEC practitioner utilising CEMAR or similar Contract Administration software to manage contracts.  You will need to have had experience of working on large, complex, high-risk projects, ideally within utilities or critical infrastructure programmes.

To ensure success as a Senior Contract Manager, you should have previous experience defining NEC 4 contract terms, although experience with JCT and FIDIC will be considered. You will have an in-depth understanding of business requirements for the assigned areas and will be motivated to drive value for money, applying industry leading contract management techniques to mitigate commercial risk.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• NEC accreditation or experience.

• RICS accreditation or experience in Quantity Surveying

• Utilities or critical infrastructure background.

• Experience in business governance and public sector governance.

• Experience on working on Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP).

• Experience in managing Claims arising under NEC Infrastructure contracts.

• Experience in scoping deliverables.

• Experience in contract variation management.

• Experience in budgetary control.

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically 2-3 days onsite per week.

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Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.