Head of Contracts & Supplier Management (IT & Telecoms)

You will set and lead the strategic direction and run the day-to-day operational contract and supplier management for IT & Telecoms, through the management of performance, compliance and value for the supply chain and partners.,

• Establish and set strategic direction of “project” and “post” contract management “in life” services, including the supporting of negotiation of complex contractual and managed services agreements, so that value is maximised for the IT & Telecoms function.
• Lead a team to advise and support the development and monitoring of contracts and agreements (pre/post contract to enable delivery of business solutions/services and operations in a commercial manner, via third party suppliers.
• Lead and manage on supplier management process and team, engaging with the suppliers and partners to enable and maintain adherence to contract terms, conditions, scope, financial governance, and compliance to change management, key obligation, and compliance tracking,
• Control and advise on in-life contractual service performance and cost exposure, resolving any issues across complex service delivery programmes to manage risk, cost avoidance and delivery against efficiency targets.
• Lead teams across IT & Telecoms to manage the development of third-party contracts whilst managing that the appropriate governance process has been adhered to, advising project teams accordingly (including managing change control, claims management, negotiation on pricing, timeframes and impact to financial cost and incremental budgets).
• Lead on the optimisation of third party performance, through measures and KPIs, costs and efficiency through relationship management, driving effective improvement plans and contract negotiations.
• Lead and manage the interface with all internal stakeholders, Contracts & Procurement (Route Services) and legal services, to optimise the accountabilities and outcomes are realised in a timely fashion to provide governance to gain optimisation of the contract (e.g. licencing).
• Lead, inspire and motivate a team to create a high performing team, whilst developing individual capability in line with individual needs and organisational requirements to enable the achievement of strategic goals and objectives.
• Maintain a register of contracts and best practice process to contract renewals and negotiations that captures and validates ongoing requirements and managed in a timely fashion to maximise negotiation opportunities in terms of costs and contract terms.
• Develop and maintain financial/costs models (Total cost of ownership/Return on investment within both Capex and Opex) to assess and monitor total cost of third-party commercial commitments and optimise costs by driving through efficiencies, budgeting and financial governance.
• Provide consultancy and advisory support for high profile work package / statement of work contracts to support the function to deliver against the strategic plan. Proactively challenge funded or customer funded business cases and operate implications, appropriate procedures and systems of internal control to manage the governance process and manage financial risk
  
  Extensive experience in a senior in-life contracting and supplier management and senior leadership roles.
• Strong leadership, excellent communication and conflict management skills Excellent Business Acumen with strong commercial focus and financially astute, Profit & Loss management experience and previous experience of advising at a leadership board
• Extensive experience of contract negotiations, preferably in telecoms or IT services industry and public sector
• Extensive knowledge of Contract and supplier Management including licensing, carrier and subscription management
• Able to understand and extract salient information from complex documentation.
• Knowledge of key service performance measures and practical experience of using these to drive supplier performance improvement
• Able to drive, motivate and develop a team
• Commercially and politically aware
• Influential communicator with excellent persuasion and negotiation skills
• Energetic and passionate about developing and operating processes that achieve outstanding results
Desirable
• ITIL certification or IT service management experience
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Knowledge of public procurement / regulated industry policies and procedures (e.g. Official Journal of the EU – OJEU)
  
  We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!, The railway has seen nearly 200 years of technology and innovation that has transformed how we provide services to passengers and freight customers. Technology is continuing to transform the railway industry. Imagine an exciting environment where Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) are not just buzzwords but the driving force behind every operation, every decision, and every solution. As part of the DDaT directorate, you have a unique opportunity to enable our customers and industry partner with modern and transformative technology. From the day-to-day IT operations that keeps a national railway running, to the extensive delivery programmes that our helping to reshape the railway – we are at the forefront of all of it. We operate with a talented and passionate workforce, fostering empowered individuals and teams who understand that technology is not just a tool – it's the catalyst for progress, especially in an ever-demanding industry where change is a constant., At Network Rail, we have a number of employee networks to reflect our diverse population and help to raise issues to the wider workforce and support their membership and support our Everybody Matters strategy, led by our central Diversity & Inclusion team. We have Diversity & Inclusion Champions who take part and lead on many activities, to drive through more initiatives to support an inclusive environment for all its people and promote a professional and positive working environment. For more information on Diversity & Inclusion at Network Rail, please follow this link

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance. We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. We offer excellent benefits, including: Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days. Defined benefit pension scheme. 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets. Up to 75% off leisure travel for you and your family (subject to terms and conditions) ️ Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets. Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass. Flexible/hybrid working arrangements. ️ Volunteer leave to make a positive impact. Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more. We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments, Band & Salary: Band 2B from £71,163 plus pay related benefits We are committed to a diverse workplace enriched with representation from diverse cultures, backgrounds and skills. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where difference is embraced, and individuals can thrive. We recognise that the success of the team is dependent on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined group of individuals, aligned to deliver successful solutions.