Commercial Contracts Manager

The role We have an exciting opportunity to join the University of Bristol in a new role as a Commercial Contracts Manager supporting the IT Services (ITS) Division. The University of Bristol has over two hundred ITS contracts, which contribute to a large proportion of the University’s total spend on external goods and services. Working closely with the Office of the CIO and key stakeholders across ITS, this new role will provide commercial leadership and guidance on the most strategic and critical contracts, with the aim of maximising value for money, delivering savings and ensuring high quality efficient delivery of suppliers in line with their contractual commitments. The role will report into the Commercial Contracts Director and work closely with the IT Governance and Compliance Manager (Office of the CIO), as well as colleagues in the Procurement team, to promote best practice and continuous improvement in the management of ITS contracts throughout their lifecycle. Joining the University will give you access to competitive salaries, excellent staff benefits, a generous annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays and fixed University closure days), and access to pension schemes. The University has a blended working policy which offers excellent flexibility on office based and home working for staff. What will you be doing? Reviewing the University’s highest risk/value IT contracts to identify improvement opportunities, mitigate risk, and secure cost savings through enhanced contract management practices. Supporting the procurement team with the creation of effective contract management plans that maximise value and benefits to the University throughout the contract lifecycle. Ensuring contractual commitments and stakeholder needs are met, holding suppliers to account where performance, time and cost is not meeting expectations. Working with the Office of the CIO and key stakeholders to support accurate budget forecasting. Providing guidance and advice on contractual terms, supporting stakeholders with the negotiation of contract variations and disputes, as required. Establishing, promoting, and training others on contract and supplier management best practice. You should apply if You have significant experience of managing a portfolio of complex contracts and suppliers in either the private or public sector (ideally IT and software contracts) and have a passion for contract management and continuous improvement. You hold extensive knowledge of contract law and have experience of interpreting/applying contractual terms and conditions, understanding when it is necessary to seek specialist legal advice. You can demonstrate you are commercially and financially astute, with a proven track record of identifying and delivering savings opportunities and reducing business risk. You have a proven ability to interact confidently and effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels, and are able to lead and influence others to deliver a business outcome. . You are educated to degree level or equivalent experience in areas such as: Business, Law, IT Contract Management, Supplier Management. You have a good understanding of UK Public Procurement regulations. Additional information This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on the 7th March For informal queries please contact Tania Sacco, Commercial Contracts Director tania.sacco@bristol.ac.uk or Lucy Neaves, IT Governance and Compliance Manager Lucy.neaves@bristol.ac.uk