Contracts Lead

Job summary

The Parliamentary Commercial Department (PCD) is looking for five proactive and commercially minded Contracts Leads to help shape the way contracts and supplier relationships are managed across the UK Parliament. Working within either our Indirect Contract and Supplier Management (CSM) Category or Works CSM Category, you will play a key role in ensuring Parliament secures maximum value from a diverse portfolio of strategically important contracts, supporting the delivery of essential services and major projects across the Parliamentary Estate, including the world-renowned Palace of Westminster.

You can find out more about the team here: Parliamentary Commercial Department - UK Parliament

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing and ambitious commercial function responsible for around £1 billion of annual spend. You will work closely with operational contract managers, project managers, suppliers, commercial specialists and senior stakeholders to improve supplier performance, drive value for money, support transformational programmes and embed best practice contract management across Parliament.

These vacancies are available across two CSM teams, managing different categories of spend as set out below. Candidates should state their area of interest and reflect how they meet the requirements of the person specification in their supporting statement. Please state whether you are applying for Indirect or Works CSM Category at the top of your Supporting Statement.

Indirect CSM Category

As the post holder, you will apply your commercial knowledge to advise on contract management in the Indirect category, which covers the following areas (non-exhaustive): people services, professional services, catering, Information Communications & Technology (ICT), corporate services, supply of goods and equipment, soft & hard facilities management and heritage services.

Works CSM Category

Leading on commercial contract oversight on one or both of our two main categories which are Works (construction, building refurbishment & maintenance and building security) and Professional Services (Procurement, Programme and Project Management, Cost Management and Design, as well as other related professional services). The contracts in scope will cover complex construction projects and building refurbishments, including significant heritage element.

This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, with an expectation of you spending a minimum of 40% of your time in the office.

Find out more about working at the House of Commons.

Person specification

• Qualification: Candidates for this role must hold membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) at Level 5 or be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of expertise gained through relevant work experience, and a willingness to study for a formal qualification if required. It would be an advantage for candidates to be qualified to Level 6 (MCIPS).
• In depth experience of contract/framework management practices and supplier relationships with ability to articulate both and their benefits to non-expert audiences.
  • For roles in the Works CSM Category, we are also looking for working knowledge of construction contracts as either procurement, operational or commercial manager, preferably using NEC4 contract terms.
• Experience in working collaboratively with business stakeholders and suppliers in complex situations to deliver value for money outcomes from contractual arrangements.
• Experience of negotiations, dispute resolution and senior stakeholder management .
• Experience in contract data management such as KPI and performance reporting, production of pipelines, maintenance of contract registers, etc.
• Experience of building commercial capability and implementing contract management best practice.
• Strong communication skills demonstrating the ability to convey complex information with confidence and credibility.
• Ability to work successfully within a team, whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,359, House of Commons contributes £13,140 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).

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one full working year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 29%.
• Strong commitment to learning and professional development.
• Flexible working options that help you find a balance including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.
• A unique opportunity to work in in one of the UK's most prestigious institutions.

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

CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 500 words. Please state whether you are applying for Indirect or Works CSM Category at the top of your Supporting Statement.

More information on the application process can be found here: Application process - UK Parliament

Additional Information

Please ensure that you anonymise your application by removing any identifiable factors from your CV or Supporting Statement.

As part of the selection process, we will be asking candidates to complete an online Numeracy and Business Writing test. Further information about these assessments will be provided after the closing date.

Please note job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is