At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key technology contracts and ensure smooth supplier operations.
- Company: Join the Bank of England, a vital institution in the UK's economy.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced environment that offers growth and learning opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in technology contracts and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; flexible working arrangements are encouraged.
Location: Leeds
Are you passionate about technology and supplier management? As a Technology Supplier and Contracts Specialist, you will have the exciting responsibility of managing a number of the Bank's most important Technology contracts. Helping to ensure the safe day-to-day operation of the Real Time Gross Settlement Service (RTGS), responsible for settling over £775 billion every day!
Flexible Working Options:
- This role is open to flexible working patterns, which are subject to change by the Bank, and include:
- Job share
- Flexible start and end time to each day
- A 50% in-office attendance requirement can be spread across the month to accommodate diverse working patterns, such as the flexibility to purchase a weekly train ticket for certain weeks.
- Compressed hours (subject to approval and policy within the team)
- Working from abroad policy (subject to approval and policy within the team)
Technology is proud of its approach to flexible working within a delivery focussed and operationally critical environment to service the Bank and industry.
A day in the role:
As a Technology Supplier and Contracts Specialist, your day is centred around ensuring the smooth running of supplier contracts and supporting the delivery of critical technology services. You might start your mornings with some preparation for the day ahead, it’s a good chance to handle any urgent priorities. Typically, you might have a check-in with the team, or you might be reviewing some supplier performance information ahead of a call later in the day. Mid-morning often includes calls with internal Bank teams such as the RTGS team, Risk or Procurement. Alternatively, you might be meeting external partners, where you’ll help coordinate actions, follow up on service issues, or share supplier management updates. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, creating an environment suited for those who work well in a fast-paced setting. The role is rewarding and offers significant opportunities for growth due to the breadth of workstreams you will engage with and lead. You might then go for some lunch with the team, or choose to attend one of the bank hosted events with external speakers, offering a great opportunity to learn about the world of Finance or Technology. Afternoons are typically focused on delivery—whether that’s updating the supplier register, completing contract management activities, or participating in forums that keep supplier operations aligned with the Banks goals. Your adaptability will be key as you work closely with a diverse range of colleagues from across the Bank, gaining exposure to a wide range of strategic supplier initiatives. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on building relationships, has an eye for detail, and wants to build a career in supplier management within a fast-paced technology environment.
Role and responsibilities:
The Supplier & Contract Management Specialist is responsible for supporting the effective management of key Technology supplier relationships and their contracts, ensuring the Bank secures value for money and mitigates risk through the application of the Supplier Management Framework. The role holder will work in close partnership with stakeholders across Technology including the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) BAU team, Central Procurement, and risk functions to shape and lead the contractual and commercial environment that supports the delivery of the RTGS service.
The primary focus of the role is:
- Monitoring of supplier performance and contract compliance for RTGS Technology contracts. This will involve activity such as reviewing SLA/KPI information, relationship management, supplier development and participating in regular performance meetings with suppliers. (30%)
- Develop and maintain relationships with a broad range of colleagues throughout the Bank to support supplier management activities. This will primarily involve close collaboration with the RTGS BAU team, as well as regular interaction with teams in Technology, Risk and Procurement. (15%)
- Track, collate and analyse data such as risk, cyber metrics, performance, and other critical supplier information in supplier dashboards. (15%)
- Work with the RTGS Supplier and Contract Manager to ensure contracts meet Bank Supplier Management policy requirements, including supervisory expectations. (20%)
- Support third-party spend tracking with the RTGS BAU team. (10%)
- Responsibility for maintaining and updating a supplier contract register and using this information to drive supplier roadmap discussions with the RTGS team and wider Technology teams, helping drive value for money and shaping future strategy. (10%)
Role Requirements:
Minimum Criteria:
- We’re looking for someone who has the following key skills and experience:
- Demonstrates experience in managing Technology contracts, including monitoring supplier performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and delivering high-quality service outcomes.
- Demonstrates understanding of Technology services, including software, hardware, and infrastructure, and their critical role in supporting banking and payments operations.
- Previous experience in Technology Commercial function or other similar roles with exposure to the full contractual lifecycle.
- Holds a recognised commercial or procurement qualification (such as CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply) or an equivalent professional certification, or demonstrates equivalent experience and a commitment to working towards accreditation.
Essential Criteria:
- We are interested in hearing from candidates who have the following capabilities:
- Strong understanding of Licenses and Supplier Terms. Expertise in interpreting and leading on software licenses and supplier agreements.
- Demonstrates analytical skills. Ability to track, collate and analyse supplier data and share information in a way which will be understood by a range of partners.
- Experience in developing and managing comprehensive contractual registers.
- Can evidence strong planning, organisational, and communication skills, with excellent attention to detail.
- Risk Management and Audit Exposure. Confirmed ability to identify and mitigate risks in supplier relationships and contracts, with experience in conducting and responding to supplier audits.
- Comfortable communicating with key colleagues at a senior level and presenting information to support decision making.
- The ability to build and maintain strong working relationships both internally and externally, demonstrating effective influencing and negotiation skills.
Desirable criteria:
- It would also be beneficial, but not necessary, to have some of the following:
- Knowledge and understanding of Public Procurement Processes.
- Knowledge and understanding of Transactional Processes within a Financial Institution.
- Knowledge in how to manage regulatory expectations and standards associated with third party management within a technology ecosystem.
- Familiar with ITIL and certified at a foundational level and familiar with other methodologies such as PRINCE2 and Agile.
How this role fits into the wider Bank:
The Real Time Gross Settlement service (RTGS) and CHAPS, the wholesale payment service, are key to the UK's economy. Over £775 billion is settled each day across this critical national infrastructure. We are in the process of an exciting and transformational programme to renew RTGS, enhancing not just resilience but also promoting completion and innovation. And we are leading policy work to understand future demand for payments and international efforts to enhance cross-border payments.
Our Approach to Inclusion:
The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we’re working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.
We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We’ve also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they’re needed.
For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.
Finally, we’re proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.
Salary and Benefits Information:
We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate. We offer a salary as follows: Leeds circa £47,920- £53,910. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:
Technology Supplier and Contracts Specialist employer: Bank of England
Contact Detail:
Bank of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technology Supplier and Contracts Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key technology contracts and suppliers relevant to the role. Understanding the specific technologies and services that the Bank relies on will give you an edge in discussions and interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in supplier management and technology sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with individuals who can provide insights into the role and potentially refer you.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your analytical skills, particularly in tracking and interpreting supplier performance data. Being able to demonstrate your ability to analyse metrics will be crucial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with risk management and compliance in supplier relationships. Be ready to share examples of how you've identified and mitigated risks in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Technology Supplier and Contracts Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing technology contracts and supplier performance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of software, hardware, and infrastructure.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for technology and supplier management. Mention how your skills align with the role's requirements, particularly your analytical skills and ability to build relationships.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you hold any commercial or procurement qualifications, such as CIPS Level 4, be sure to mention these prominently. If you're working towards accreditation, include that too, as it shows your commitment to professional development.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: The role requires strong planning, organisational, and communication skills. Provide examples in your application that demonstrate your attention to detail and ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bank of England
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Technology Supplier and Contracts Specialist. Familiarise yourself with key terms like SLA, KPI, and supplier performance metrics, as these will likely come up during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis, especially in relation to supplier performance and contract compliance. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully tracked and analysed data to drive decisions.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Management
This role requires strong relationship-building skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've effectively managed relationships with suppliers or internal stakeholders, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and risk management skills. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them.