Contract Assurance Lead

Job content

UKAEA Culham and UKAEA Yorkshire, Culham and Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Full-time

Department: Procurement

Salary: £51,293 (inclusive of £5,000 if fully MCIPS qualified) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

Confirmed Grade: Level 5

Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the worlds energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow’s fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values (Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative) that capture the spirit of how we work.

Job Description

Who are we looking for?

As the Contract Assurance Lead you will deliver a contract assurance framework and be accountable for developing a best practice contract management approach across the organisation. This will include creating documents, guidance to implement best practice contract management solutions. You will be accountable in ensuring UKAEA is compliant with UK directives for contract management in the public sector.

You will deliver best practice, advice, guidance and support to Executive, Senior Managers and designated Contract Project Managers across UKAEA. Ensuring the delivery of a first-class service to the organisation.

The purpose of the role is leading the improvement of contract management capability across UKAEA. You will be involved in delivering at least one Supplier Relationship Management programme with one of UKAEAs strategic suppliers. Additionally, you will oversee the training, support and upskilling of Contract Project Managers to the appropriate contract management standards set within the public sector.

To be successful in this role you will have experience of Contract Management, Supplier Management and an understanding of Public Sector Procurement requirements. You will also have line management experience and be experienced in managing and influencing (internal & external) stakeholders. If you have strong leadership skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and are a good team player with the ability to work effectively as part of the Group Procurement Team, then we would like to hear from you.?

What will you be responsible for?

• Lead, create & implement a contract management assurance framework.
• Leading on the development and delivery of contract management capabilities, the tiering of contracts to a set standard, and delivering training/up skilling programmes (where appropriate).
• Implementing best practice contract management.
• Take ownership of activities relating to supplier performance and risk management.
• Engage in a supplier relationship manager with one of UKAEAs strategic suppliers.
• Line manage a small team, providing performance feedback, completing their APS, and supporting and advising them with their day-to-day activities.
• To provide advice to senior managers on contract management strategies and approaches with suppliers. Helping internal stakeholders overcome challenges related to contract management.
  

You will be required to deputise for the Supplier Relationship Management Lead at a variety of meetings, making decisions in line with delegated duties. Please note, you may be required to support and lead within the procurement team on other projects / programs as required.

Qualifications

Essential skills, experience and competence required

• Working towards or currently MCIPS qualified.
• Good knowledge of Supplier Management (Supplier Relationship, Performance & Risk Management).
• Awareness of Public Contracts Regulations (2015).
• Good strategic procurement knowledge and experience.
• Commercially astute, customer focused & excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good negotiation skills with some understanding of NEC form of Contract.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Be a good team player with ability to work effectively as part of the Group Procurement Team.
  

Desirable Skills, Experience And Competence

• MCIPS Qualified.
• Contract management qualification.
• Contract Management Tools expertise (eg CEMAR).
• Line management experience.
  

Additional Information

What we offer

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme (up to 7% for Levels 1 - 7, as well as 3rd and 4th year apprentices) and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK Government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.