East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much-needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, which blend beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage with globally renowned centres of education, business, technology and an increasingly dynamic business scene. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.
However, the lack of good East-West transport connections makes it harder for residents to make the most of everything the region has to offer. From faster commutes to days out with friends and family, EWR will make it easier to reach the things that matter most, bringing a range of benefits to communities between Oxford and Cambridge, and across the UK more broadly.
EWR is also one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Role Summary
This role will provide support to Contract Managers across defined categories / directorates within East West Rail. They will support the implementation and operation of robust processes over the commercial affairs of East West Rail and help ensure that contracts are successfully managed to deliver the expected outcomes. As an Assistant Contract Manager you may called upon to support different stages of the procurement lifecycle however the principal focus will be support for the management of contractual obligations, variations, supplier performance and payments.
Function
The Commercial function provides commercial and procurement capability across the programme lifecycle, including strategy (setting the commercial strategy and advising risk allocation underpinning the delivery strategy), delivering procurement activities for the goods and services required to deliver the asset and run EWR Co, and delivering contract management services for the complex network of suppliers supporting EWR Co. Across all three of these domains the commercial function will run governance and reporting to measure compliance and provide commercial assurance.
Key Responsibilities
- Work with stakeholders in order to understand the needs of the business.
- Develop a good understanding of key contracts assigned, including the products/services being bought, pricing, processes, opportunities, and risks.
- Support the implementation of effective contract management plans, providing support to Contract Managers as required.
- Support the production of commercial correspondence and records, and contractual notices for issue in accordance with contractual conditions.
- Support the assessment and valuation of supplier/contractor’s applications and processing of payment certification in accordance with processes, contractual terms, and conditions and commensurate with contractual entitlement.
- Monitor and report spend, risk, performance, and contract obligations through KPIs and SLAs, across a portfolio of contracts using the tools and systems provided.
- Develop good understanding of the Contract Management System, follow the processes to ensure database is kept up to date.
- Support in the administration of contract electronic communication software.
- Support engagement with internal stakeholders to build close trusted relationships and to ensure a full understanding of expected outcomes.
- If requested by the Head of Contract Management, support Finance and their Purchase to Pay Team, providing holiday cover for the Accounts Payable Assistant.
- Support the analysis of contract data to identify opportunities to work closer with strategic suppliers, improve processes or work differently to create additional value for EWR and its stakeholders.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Actively progressing through member of a relevant professional body e.g. RICS.
- Relevant degree desirable, such as surveying, engineering, law, finance or MBA.
What we offer
- Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
- 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy
- Life assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a range of benefits on the Perkbox platform
- On-the-spot and annual awards
- Advanced learning and development programmes
- Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Exceptional IT tools
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.
Diversity and Inclusion
To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.
We are open to secondments through the Rail Industry Talent Exchange Programme.
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