Contract Manager - Offshore Wind - UK and Northern Europe in Slough

Backstop Advisory is a renowned contract & commercial consultancy based in the UK but with projects globally. We continue to grow in strength and numbers, expanding into locations throughout Europe to best serve the needs of our ever-growing client base.

At Backstop Advisory, we provide commercial and contract management advisory services to the energy sector. All our advisors become integral members of the team. Our experts have extensive experience in contract & commercial strategy, procurement, contract & commercial management, and dispute advisory. Our scope mix offers bespoke engagements, either embedded into projects on a long-term basis, or fractional support for task-based activities.

Our mission is to give energy companies the confidence to make sustainable and commercially sound decisions, using our expertise and knowledge. We do this by providing industry-leading experts who offer pragmatic and focused support. Put simply: we advise our clients on how to maximise commercial advantage and minimise contractual risk.

Our people and our values set us apart. Backstop is led by Martin, Catriona and Marc who together have over 60 years' experience over a wide range of different energy projects and markets. We value mutual trust, a strong work ethic, diversity of experience and background, and creating a fun place to work. A strong focus on results and delivering concise and pragmatic advice is what sets us apart from others.

We are looking for a Contract Manager that has experience in procurement and contract management for offshore wind projects. You must already hold the necessary legal permissions to work in the UK and EU.

You will be expected to lead the delivery of the procurement and contracting strategy for the project or a package, taking responsibility for procurement and contract related matters including:

• Develop and deliver contracting strategies and efficient processes for tendering and reviewing proposals and negotiate contracts that result in the best value possible for the project.
• Challenge scope specifications to determine where unnecessary costs can be eliminated, and more value can be achieved.
• Closely collaborate with the relevant project stakeholders to develop and review commercial scopes and support technical aspects of the deliverables to ensure competitive tender processes.
• Provide contracts templates that are fully compliant to support the business needs and mitigate commercial risks to the project.
• Determine when compliant contract terms have been achieved.
• Ensure that all defined business processes and other applicable regulations are implemented in the project.

You will use your strong relationship building skills to engage with and influence a variety of key project stakeholders as well as senior business managers outside the project. There will also be ad hoc decision support activities, including driving strategic initiatives and supporting the whole Energy business in its procurement and contract management activities.

Where requested; drive appropriate supplier performance through effective key performance indicators. You will have the necessary procurement skills and qualifications e.g. CIPS and/or a minimum of 5 years' experience in energy-related developments or related businesses, with demonstrable experience in tendering and negotiating agreements. Outstanding communication skills, confident and with strong relationship management skills. Well-developed attention-to-detail with capacity to appreciate the 'big picture' as well as prior experience of working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment will hold you in good stead to be successful in this role.

Requirements:

Do you fulfil the below requirements / qualifications:

• UK and EU right to work.
• Relevant technical, legal, or commercial education at Master or Bachelor level.
• Proven experience in a similar role, either offshore / onshore wind or upstream oil and gas in a major project environment.
• FIDIC / LOGIC / BIMCO / EPCI contract experience.

If all this looks and sounds like you, then please either contact us stating the reasons we should consider you and attach a copy of your CV, or apply via the LinkedIn Apply link.