Senior Contract Manager in Milton Keynes

Overview

Senior Contract Manager – Reading (free onsite parking). Occasional travel to Aldermaston and London Paddington. Salary range £63,000 to £75,000, depending on experience. Working pattern: 9‑day working fortnight. Flexible working arrangements available.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and manage the requirements of contracts, frameworks and agreements entered into by the business.
• Define contract terms, deliver strategic and governance planning, manage contract options and KPI reviews.
• Lead contract disputes/resolution, change management and budget control activities.
• Support a team that administers contracts and oversee their development.
• Roll out and implement the AWE Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategy and framework for assigned suppliers.
• Drive innovation and business efficiency through building industry alliances and trusted relationships.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in public sector contract management with knowledge of public procurement regulations.
• Understanding of the end‑to‑end procurement process, including pre‑ and post‑contract stages.
• Practical experience managing NEC contracts using CEMAR or a similar system.
• Previous line or task management responsibility, strong stakeholder and relationship management skills.
• Experience using NEC 3/4 PSC and CCS/government model contract terms (knowledge of other NEC, JCT and FIDIC acceptable).
• Knowledge of business governance and public sector governance.
• Experience in contract variation management and budgetary control.
• Preferred: NEC accreditation or experience, professional services knowledge (especially in construction), and experience with business governance.

Benefits and Working Conditions

• 9‑day working fortnight (every other Friday off).
• 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market‑leading contributory pension scheme (9%–13% of pensionable pay).
• Family‑friendly policies: 39 weeks maternity leave (full pay) and 4 weeks paternity leave (full pay).
• Professional career development with funding for relevant memberships.
• Employee Assistance Programme and occupational health services.
• Life assurance (four annual salaries).
• Discounts on everyday spending.
• Special leave policy (paid time off for volunteering, public service and caring).
• Hybrid working available on an informal basis (typically 2–3 days onsite per week).

Important Information

Applicants must be British citizens with at least five years of UK residence for Security Clearance (SC) and ten years for Defence Vetting (DV). Clearance will be funded by AWE. Candidates are required to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.