PNT Office Contract Manager

Job summary

DSIT

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

Find Out More

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/

Job description

The Positioning, Navigation and Timing Office (PNTO) within DSIT delivers a portfolio of programmes designed to improve the UK's resilience, security and capability in Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT). These programmes are delivered through a range of commercial mechanisms including major contracts, grants, and cross-government delivery arrangements.

We are seeking an experienced Contract Manager to provide operational contract management support across the portfolio, ensuring robust governance, effective supplier and partner management, and strong assurance of programme delivery.

The role has particular responsibility for supporting several high-value and strategically important programmes, including management of major contracts, grant agreements and inter-governmental delivery arrangements.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities

Lead contract management activities across a portfolio of PNT programmes.
Manage strategic supplier relationships and monitor delivery against contractual obligations.
Support management of grant funding arrangements, including monitoring delivery and compliance.
Manage and maintain Memoranda of Understanding and other partnership agreements with government departments and delivery partners.
Provide commercial assurance and governance support for major programmes.
Monitor financial performance, contractual milestones and delivery risks.
Support contract modifications, grant variations and other commercial change activities.
Develop reporting, assurance and performance information for senior leaders and governance boards.
Work closely with programme, finance, commercial and legal colleagues to ensure appropriate management of commercial arrangements.
Support audits, assurance reviews and evidence requests.
Promote best practice in contract and grant management across the portfolio.

Essential Criteria

Experience managing complex commercial arrangements, including contracts, grants, service agreements or partnership agreements.

Qualified to or actively working towards ‘practitioner level’ (CIPS\CCMP or equivalent demonstrable experience) in Contract Management Activities.

Experience monitoring performance, managing risks and ensuring delivery against agreed milestones, obligations and outcomes.

Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build productive relationships across organisational boundaries.

Ability to analyse complex information and provide clear advice and recommendations to senior decision-makers.

Desirable Criteria

Experience producing governance, assurance or performance reporting for senior audiences.

Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes at pace.

Qualifications

Qualified to or actively working towards ‘practitioner level’ (CIPS\CCMP or equivalent demonstrable experience) in Contract Management Activities.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,620, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £12,926 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are liste