Contract & Commercial Manager O&M in Montrose

Is this your chance to join the team operating one of Scotland's largest offshore wind farms? Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm is a 1080MW offshore wind farm situated 15km from the Angus coast in the North Sea. The power it generates will be transmitted 85 kilometres to a new substation at Cockenzie, in East Lothian from where it will enter the national transmission system. Inch Cape is a more than £3 billion infrastructure project that will make a significant contribution to the UK’s carbon emissions reduction targets. Once complete its 72 turbines will generate enough electricity to power almost half the homes in Scotland.

Summary of Assignment

The Contract & Commercial Manager (O&M) is responsible for the end-to-end commercial and contractual management of all Operations and Maintenance related contracts for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. Joining during the construction phase, the role plays a critical part in shaping the O&M commercial framework as the overarching O&M strategy is translated into executable plans, contract structures and cost models. The Contract & Commercial Manager will develop the commercial strategy of the O&M function, establish best-practice contract management processes, provide continuity through the critical transition into operations and deliver long-term value creation across the asset lifecycle.

Location

Mainly WFH with some travels to the Montrose office when required.

Responsibilities

• O&M Contract Strategy & Development
  • Support the O&M Manager in developing and implementing the O&M commercial and contracting strategy in line with the overall asset management approach.
  • Translate high-level O&M strategy into practical contract packaging, commercial models, and procurement routes.
  • Develop cost models and commercial frameworks to support long-term O&M budgeting and financial forecasting.
  • Provide commercial input to scope development to ensure clear risk allocation, bankability, and operational practicality.
• Tendering, Negotiation & Contract Award
  • Lead the full tendering process for O&M-related contracts, including preparation of tender documentation and commercial schedules.
  • Management of bidder engagement and clarifications.
  • Commercial evaluation, benchmarking, and negotiation.
  • Structure contracts to balance cost efficiency, risk mitigation, performance incentives, and operational flexibility.
  • Lead internal approval processes and governance through to contract execution.
• Commercial Management During Construction & Transition
  • Establish commercial management processes prior to operations, including budget control frameworks, cost tracking and reporting systems, and contract performance monitoring mechanisms.
  • Manage O&M-related expenditures during late construction and commissioning.
  • Ensure contractual alignment between construction obligations, OEM warranties, and future O&M arrangements.
  • Support financial readiness for operations, including service cost baselining and lifecycle cost validation.
• Contract Management in O&M Phase
  • Act as the commercial lead for all O&M contracts during operations, including performance management and KPI monitoring, change management and variation control, claims, disputes, and resolution management.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives, contract optimisation, and re-tendering strategies where appropriate.
  • Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and governance requirements throughout the O&M lifecycle.
  • Evaluate business cases, commercial opportunities, ownership of budgets etc.
  • Preparation of board papers, support Board and Leadership meetings.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Governance
  • Support preparation and management of annual O&M budgets.
  • Monitor operational expenditure (OPEX) against approved budgets and forecasts.
  • Analyse cost trends and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
  • Support long-term financial modelling for asset performance and lifecycle cost management.
  • Ensure compliance with internal financial governance, audit requirements, and reporting standards.
• Stakeholder & Interface Management
  • Work closely with the O&M and Construction teams to manage interfaces between contracts, systems, and organisations.
  • Interface with technical, operational, finance, legal, and asset management teams to ensure joined-up delivery.
  • Manage relationships with key suppliers, contractors, and service providers in a collaborative but commercially robust manner.

Skills

• Strong commercial and contractual acumen within large, complex infrastructure or energy projects.
• Understanding of contract forms and commercial mechanisms relevant to long-term O&M services.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Ability to interpret complex contractual provisions and translate them into practical operational controls.
• Structured, detail-oriented approach balanced with a pragmatic, solution-focused mindset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills suitable for senior internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge

• Experience in commercial and contract management roles preferably within offshore wind, energy, or comparable asset-heavy industries.
• Demonstrable experience leading procurement and negotiations for long-term service or O&M-type contracts.
• Experience supporting project transition from construction into operations is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of offshore wind O&M contracting models, risk profiles, and lifecycle value drivers.
• Familiarity with operating within developer-led project organisations and governance structures.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Law, Business, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications in contract or commercial management (e.g. CIPS, RICS, or equivalent) desirable.
• Strong contractual literacy; legal qualification not required but advantageous.