Commercial Contracts Manager

Severn Trent; Coventry; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utilities company in Coventry is seeking a Commercial Contracts Manager to oversee contract negotiations and provide commercial advice. The role requires experience in the water sector and an understanding of contract terms. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation and communication skills. A relevant professional qualification is preferred, and a full UK driving license is essential. Competitive salary and benefits package offered.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme up to 15%

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Leading pension scheme

Dedicated training and development

Electric vehicle scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced Contract / Commercial Manager in the water or utilities sector.
• Familiarity with commercial Terms and Conditions and standard forms of contract.
• Full UK driving license is essential due to travel requirements.

Responsibilities

• Review customer terms and conditions and tender documents.
• Lead commercial negotiations for favorable terms.
• Mitigate risks through proactive management.
• Liaise with various internal stakeholders.
• Represent the company at commercial meetings.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Commercial acumen

Risk management

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Professional qualification (MICE, MRICS, CIPS or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

Are you an experienced Commercial professional looking for a new challenge and to expand your skills and experience? Perhaps you are a Quantity Survey or experienced category manager looking for a step up? The role will support the winning and delivery of profitable contracts and provide commercial support and governance to the business and ensuring we contract with customers and suppliers on favourable terms. If you're a good negotiator, comfortable working with different forms of contract and providing commercial advice, then read on. This opportunity sits within our Severn Trent Services business, a commercial arm of the Severn Trent Group and you will be part of our small team of go-to experts on contract and commercial matters. It’s an exciting time to be joining Severn Trent Services - we’re on an upwards trajectory, our business is growing and we’re looking for new talent to join us on our journey!

The Commercial Contracts Manager plays a key role in providing commercial advice to all parts of the business on existing and new contracts, including our existing PFI contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), commonly known as project Aquatrine, and in championing and supporting the adoption of best commercial practice and risk management. Working with customers, external stakeholders and our internal business development and supplier management teams, you’ll provide advice on a broad range of contract matters, including choice of commercial terms, scope queries, disputes, and contract compliance. You’ll play a key role in getting projects into contract and ensuring the efficient management of those contracts.

Responsibilities

• Review customer terms and conditions and tender documents for new business opportunities, identifying risks/opportunities, advising on compliance with commercial guidelines and leading commercial negotiations to get projects into contract on favourable terms
• Ensure all parties understand their obligations and responsibilities
• Mitigate risks by addressing potential disputes and contingencies
• Identify cost-saving opportunities
• Align customer terms and conditions with our supply chain contracts
• Take the lead in receiving, investigating, and resolving internal contract scope queries. This may involve reviewing land registry and lease documents on our MoD contract
• Liaise with a wide range of internal stakeholders including Legal, Insurance, Service Delivery, Engineering, Finance and Contract Management colleagues
• Represent STS at commercial and contractual meetings with key clients such as the Ministry of Defence

Ideal candidate

You will be an experienced Contract / Commercial Manager, with some experience in the water or utilities sector, who is familiar with commercial Terms and Conditions and standard forms of contract, ideally including NEC3/4. You will have practical experience of getting projects into contract and managing commercial risk, coupled with a good understanding of the underlying contract terms and mechanisms. You don’t have to be a lawyer, but you need to know your way around a contract. You will be excellent at communication across a variety of mediums and audiences, and you’ll be able to demonstrate your business acumen and commercial awareness. Attention to detail is pivotal in your ability to succeed in this role. It would be great if you had a relevant professional qualification (i.e. MICE, MRICS, CIPS or equivalent), but if you’re currently working towards that, we would welcome your application too. It would be helpful to have working knowledge of PFI/PPP contracts and some experience in the water sector, but this isn’t essential as we can support your development in those areas. A full UK driving licence is essential as there will be some travel.

About Severn Trent Services

Severn Trent Services is the commercial arm of the Severn Trent Group. We specialise in providing water and wastewater services to public and private sector organisations nationwide.

What’s in it for you

We’re building a career-friendly environment with competitive rewards and development opportunities. Some of the benefits and perks include:

• Salary range of £42,550 - £48,942
• Annual bonus scheme of up to 15% of your annual salary, based on company performance
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave – the option to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family-friendly policies
• Two volunteering days per year