Contract Delivery Lead

Newsom Consulting Ltd; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks dynamic Contract Leads to manage major infrastructure projects. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape commercial strategies and lead high-performing teams in a transformative environment. You will oversee significant capital project portfolios, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery while managing risks effectively. Collaborating with stakeholders and suppliers, you will drive impactful outcomes on nationally significant initiatives. If you have a proven track record in post-contract management and are ready to take on a leadership role, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in post-contract management of major infrastructure projects.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field required.

Responsibilities

• Lead post-contract management for projects up to £3bn.
• Manage relationships across a complex supply chain.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation Skills

Risk Management

Commercial Strategy Development

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

RICS or CIArb Qualification

Tools

NEC Contracts

JCT Contracts

FIDIC Contracts

Job description

We are exclusively retained with AWE to recruit four Contract Lead positions for two landmark infrastructure programmes.

For more than 70 years, AWE has played a crucial role in protecting the nation through nuclear science and technology. AWE’s mission is to design and manufacture warheads and provide nuclear services to meet the needs of defence.

AWE is recognised as a centre of scientific, engineering and technological excellence, equipped with some of the most advanced research, design and production facilities in the world.

AWE is currently going through a period of transformation to secure the future capabilities required to deliver its mission.

The Contract Leads will be responsible for post-contract management of major capital project portfolios for AWE’s Future Infrastructure Programme (FIP) and the Future Materials Campus (FMC). These include new manufacturing facilities, science laboratories and research & development centres.

We are seeking high-calibre post-contract management experts with a proven track record in delivering major, complex infrastructure programmes. This is a unique opportunity to shape commercial strategy, lead a high-performing team, and drive lasting impact on a nationally significant initiative.

Responsibilities

• Lead the post-contract management of a portfolio up to c£3bn.
• Collaboratively manage design, construction and manufacturing relationships across a complex supply chain.
• Engage in negotiations with suppliers, contractors, and partners to ensure mutually beneficial agreements that align with programme objectives.
• Ensure on-time, on-budget delivery performance with optimal risk management.
• Oversee cost strategies and lead commercial negotiations.
• Build and develop a high-performing contract team.
• Build collaborative, trusting relationships with government stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive post-contract management experience in major infrastructure projects (such as Nuclear, Defence, Energy, Rail, Water, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing etc).
• Ability to commercially lead building design, construction and/or equipment contracts.
• Knowledge of public procurement and standard contracts (NEC, JCT, FIDIC).
• Excellent stakeholder management skills in a regulated environment. Experience managing government stakeholders is an advantage.
• Experience of successfully leading a commercial team.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial discipline, RICS or CIArb.
• SC or DV Clearance, or willingness to obtain.
• The successful candidates for FIP Contract Leads must hold or be willing to obtain security clearance (SC). You will need to be a British Citizen who has resided in the UK for the last 5 years.
• The successful FMC Contract Leads must hold or be willing to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. In this role you will need to be a British Citizen who has resided in the UK for the last 10 years.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management and Supply Chain

Industries

Defense and Space Manufacturing