Head of Contracts

Circet; Ireland; Remote; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension contributions

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Circet Ireland is seeking a Head of Contracts to lead our NBI and Open eir installation contracts, with overall responsibility for commercial, operational and contractual performance, governance and sustainable service delivery. This senior role requires building strong client relationships, protecting Circet's commercial interests and driving operational performance across both contracts.

The successful candidate will provide strategic direction, oversee pricing and contract governance, and

Qualifications

• Significant senior management experience within the Irish telecommunications industry.
• Strong working knowledge of NBI and Open eir networks and service delivery requirements.
• Proven commercial and financial management capability, with P&L accountability.
• Experience engaging and negotiating with clients at director or executive management level.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and governance over the NBI and Open eir contracts.
• Lead client relationship management at senior levels and drive key stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee financial performance, contract pricing, margins and cost-to-serve across both contracts.
• Manage contractual obligations, SLAs, KPIs and contract variations.
• Lead commercial negotiations, tenders and contract extensions as required.
• Develop scalable and sustainable delivery models and growth opportunities.

Job description

We Are Hiring!

Circet Ireland is looking for an experienced and commercially focused Head of Contracts to lead our NBI and Open eir installation contracts. This senior leadership role has overall responsibility for commercial, operational and contractual performance, with a strong focus on client relationships, profitability, governance and sustainable service delivery.

Working with Circet

Circet Ireland & UK have built an ever-growing portfolio of specialist services. We are leading providers to the Telecommunications, Transport Infrastructure and Power Sectors in Ireland and the UK. We are driven to be innovative and proactive in delivering solutions that meet our client’s expectations while not losing sight of their changing requirements. With over 4000 employees across Ireland) & UK we continue to bring people together to make this happen.

The Role

The Head of Contracts will have overall responsibility for the commercial, operational and contractual performance of Circet's NBI and Open eir contracts. The successful candidate will bring an in-depth understanding of the Irish telecommunications industry, the respective client organisations, their network infrastructures and operational requirements. They must be capable of operating at director level, building strong relationships, protecting Circet's commercial interests and driving operational performance across both contracts.

Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management

• Act as the senior point of contact for NBI and Open eir at director and senior management level.
• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with key client stakeholders.
• Represent Circet at senior-level operational, commercial and contractual meetings.
• Manage client expectations, resolve escalated issues and maintain confidence in Circet's service delivery.
• Identify opportunities to develop and expand existing client relationships.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Take overall responsibility for the financial performance and profitability of both contracts.
• Understand and challenge contract pricing, rate cards and commercial agreements.
• Drive margin improvement through cost control, productivity improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Lead commercial negotiations, including contract variations, additional works, pricing reviews and claims.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities, ensuring Circet's financial interests are protected.
• Work closely with Finance to manage budgets, revenue forecasting, cost-to-serve and contract profitability.
• Ensure that all works undertaken are commercially justified and appropriately remunerated.

Contract Management & Governance

• Oversee contractual obligations, service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Ensure Circet meets its contractual commitments while protecting the business against unnecessary commercial exposure.
• Manage contractual disputes, variations and changes in scope.
• Maintain effective governance arrangements, reporting structures and escalation procedures across both contracts.
• Support contract renewals, extensions and future commercial negotiations.

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and oversight to the teams responsible for delivering the NBI and Open eir contracts.
• Work closely with operational management to improve productivity, quality, efficiency and customer experience.
• Challenge operational performance and ensure improvement plans are implemented where required.
• Ensure effective resource planning aligned with client work volumes, forecasts and contractual commitments.
• Identify opportunities to share resources, systems and operational practices across both contracts.
• Support the development of scalable and sustainable delivery models.

Telecommunications Industry & Network Knowledge

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the Irish telecommunications market, particularly NBI and Open eir.
• Apply detailed knowledge of fibre broadband networks, including FTTH infrastructure, installation, maintenance and associated civil engineering activities.
• Understand the differences between NBI and Open eir network architectures, operating models, processes and technical requirements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fibre network construction, customer connections, surveying, civils, wayleaves and network maintenance.
• Understand the operational challenges associated with delivering services across urban and rural telecommunications networks.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments, regulatory requirements and emerging opportunities.

Strategic Development & Business Growth

• Identify opportunities for Circet to expand its scope of services with both clients.
• Support strategic planning and long-term contract development.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial arrangements and strengthen Circet's competitive position.
• Contribute to tenders, contract extensions and new business opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the wider senior leadership team to deliver Circet Ireland's strategic objectives.

People Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Provide leadership, direction and support to Contract Managers and their respective management teams.
• Establish clear accountability for performance, commercial results and client satisfaction.
• Develop a strong, performance-driven culture across both contracts.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Finance, HSEQ, HR and other support functions.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the business.

Requirements

Essential

• Significant senior management experience within the Irish telecommunications industry.
• Strong working knowledge of NBI and Open eir, including their respective networks, operating models and service delivery requirements.
• Demonstrable experience managing large-scale telecommunications contracts.
• Proven commercial and financial management capability, including P&L accountability.
• Strong contractual knowledge, including pricing mechanisms, variations, SLAs and commercial risk.
• Experience engaging and negotiating with clients at director or executive management level.
• Ability to analyse operational and financial performance data and translate findings into measurable improvements.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance client demands with Circet's commercial and operational interests.

Desirable

• Established professional relationships within NBI and/or Open eir.
• Experience managing multiple major telecommunications contracts simultaneously.
• Background in FTTH rollout, fibre installation, network maintenance or civil engineering.
• Experience in contract mobilisation, transformation or turnaround programmes.
• Experience developing commercial proposals, tenders and contract extensions.

WHY WORK IN CIRCET?

• Be part of a company that encourages involvement, diversity, and inclusion.
• Be part of a company that nurtures excellence and develops leaders.
• Be part of a company that encourages personal development and career progression through our Further Education Programme, Mentoring Programme, and Career Pathways.
• Be part of a company that is dedicated to making a difference through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
• Receive a competitive salary and benefits package including annual leave, pension contributions, life assurance, Employee Assistance Programmes, and ongoing career development opportunities

Circet Ireland & UK is an inclusive organisation and welcomes all applications. Our mission is to create a workforce that consists of individuals with talent, skills and potential across all areas of our business. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.