Contract Manager

Contract Manager

Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.

Package: Starting from 47,760 to 65k (depending on your suitability and level of experience).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. This role is eligible for hybrid working, meaning employees typically spend three days on site in a long week and two days on site in a short week. We support flexible working where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, so please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working arrangement when you apply.

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?

Let us introduce the role.

We are looking for an experienced Contract Manager to join AWE and support the delivery of some of the UK's most significant and complex infrastructure programmes.

Working within our Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP) & Liabilities or Future Materials Campus (FMC) commercial teams, you will manage a portfolio of high-value contracts and supplier relationships. With combined capital investment in the region of 17-19bn over the next 10 years, this is an exciting opportunity to work at significant scale and contribute to programmes critical to AWE's future.

You will support post-contract management, negotiations, supplier performance and commercial risk, helping to drive value for money and ensure our supply chain delivers against its contractual commitments. We are looking for a commercially minded contract professional with practical knowledge of contract management, contract law and commercial best practice, who can build strong relationships with key stakeholders and strategic suppliers.

Experience we are looking for

We are interested in your experience, judgement, and approach, not only formal qualifications. You will have practical experience in some of the following:

• Proven experience in commercial or contract management, ideally within infrastructure, construction or another complex environment.
• Practical experience across the contract lifecycle, including post-contract management, mobilisation and contract delivery.
• Experience of NEC contracts, or a good understanding of NEC principles and their application.
• Experience developing and implementing contracting or commercial strategies.
• Good understanding of commercial governance, policies, controls and contract law.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience of contract negotiations, change management and risk mitigation.
• Experience managing supplier performance and contractual obligations, including payment applications and performance reviews.
• Understanding of dispute resolution and managing contractual issues.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
• Good analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and challenging timescales.
• A collaborative and commercially focused approach, with the ability to work effectively in complex environments.
• Knowledge of sustainability and social value within infrastructure procurement would be advantageous.
• Willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role

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.