Contract Officer

About us

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don’t plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Contract Officer and find your superpower. 

National Grid is hiring a Contract Officer - This role offers a variable base location.

Job Purpose

To support the Commercial & Contract Team Manager with the contractual interface with one or more of the Asset Operations’ contractors.

To facilitate the cost assurance process to demonstrate value for money, ensure contract compliance and work collaboratively with the Contractors and National Grid to achieve the safe and cost-effective delivery of the capital plan.

What you'll do

• Develop relationships & collaborate with suppliers to ensure that commercial and contractual goals are achieved.
• Ensure commercial, contractual and financial processes are adhered to, and contract compliance through effective contract management activities.
• Ensure that appropriate challenge and review has been applied to project costs through benchmarking and cost assurance activities, ensuring timely authorizations.
• Support Quantity Surveyors on cost reduction and improvement plans with the suppliers, to deliver outperformance against the regulatory agreement
• Support the development of appropriate reporting structure to capture cost benefit / efficiencies and ensure consistency of reporting across the contract function.
• Improve and measure contractor performance to deliver business outcomes. 
• Identify opportunities to further develop the suite of contractor performance benchmarking tools to support the demonstration of value for money and contract compliance. 
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and value for money within Asset Operation.
• Lead, Manage and co-ordinate Contractors, Interfaces, project teams and change to ensure efficient delivery. Manage the interface between work-streams, ensuring that issues are effectively managed and different contracting partners collaborate towards overcoming issues ensuring scheme delivery.
• Lead team members to ensure their effective development to meet their personal aspirations and future business needs.
• Build and lead the communications strategy both internally and externally for key teams, customers and stakeholders. 
• Provide contract support, advice, guidance and contract management training to UK Transmission, AO Project Delivery Teams and the Cost Assurance Representatives as required and where appropriate the Contracting Partners  
• Support the competitive tender process working with the Global Procurement, to ensure maximum delivery efficiency.
• Drive best practice through promoting areas of learning across Asset Operation.

About you

• Stakeholder-centric approach to delivering high-quality output.
• Experience of using FastDraft & Coupa is advantageous.
• Proficient understanding and demonstrable working knowledge of business processes and governance.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders effectively.
• Ability to analyse contract data, manage contract performance, and support commercial decision-making.
• Experience in a Contract Management role and/or familiarity with NEC terms and conditions.
• Knowledge of Electricity Transmission is beneficial.
• Experience or appreciation of working on multiple project deliveries.
• Good commercial acumen, including procurement and supply chain experience/knowledge.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to bring creative and innovative approaches to the business.
• Understanding of RIIO mechanisms and how National Grid delivers revenue under the regulatory framework.
• Degree or equivalent qualification.
• Full UK driving licence (some travel is required).

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £45,000 - £55,000 – dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

More Information

The closing date for this vacancy is 2nd February. However, we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

DE & I statement:

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value, and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, offering flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

Our goal is to drive, develop, and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives, and business need. We are committed to building a workforce that can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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