MIM Contract Manager

The current phase of investment for Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL) Programme will see £5.5bn investment, through a blend of traditional capital and MIM revenue funding, in new and refurbished school and college buildings across Wales. The Contract Manager will act as the central point of contact for all Local Authorities/Further Education Institutions (delivery partners) involved in the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) element of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (SCfL) and to manage all centrally procured external advisers appointed on these projects which will include legal, technical, financial, hedge fund, and insurance advisors.

Key responsibilities

• The Contract Manager will need to work with and will be accountable for the provision of sectoral support to education delivery partners to ensure that the Strategic Partnering Agreement and MIM Project Agreements are managed in an effective way that delivers high quality outcomes and value for money.
• The Contract Manager will need to quickly establish a detailed knowledge of and be able to apply the terms of the Strategic Partnering Agreement and standard form template Project Agreement.
• As the Programme’s contract management expert resource, the Contract Manager will need a detailed understanding of MIM principles and risk transfer, have clear knowledge of each project specific Project Agreement, have the ability to assist education delivery partners to challenge Project Co’s self‑monitoring information, annual service charge invoicing and hold contractors accountable for any poor performance against their contractual obligations.
• Education delivery partners will require expert advice and guidance from the Contract Manager at each stage in the procurement timeline of their project.
• The Contract Manager will be required to develop, implement, and maintain internal processes and procedures to support this advice and guidance.

The post holder will need to hold the following knowledge and skills:

• Extensive programme and contract management skills gained through managing complex construction projects including innovative funding models such as Private Finance Initiative (PFI), Public Private Partnership (PPP).
• Proven ability to interrogate and understand complex contracts, including performance standards and payment mechanisms.
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills with the ability to set objectives and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding relationship management skills and personal credibility with senior stakeholders in the construction sector.
• Procurement and leadership expertise to appoint and successfully manage legal, technical, financial, hedge fund and insurance advisors.
• The ability to secure the best value for money for the public sector client through the commercial process whilst delivering and financing complex construction projects through private sector delivery models.
• Ability to work under pressure in driving forward competing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to understand and successfully manage complex project risk matrices enabling successful outcomes.
• Able to understand and interpret for successful delivery commercial, financial, technical, and legal data from a range of sources, considering the impact across multi‑stakeholders, and successfully negotiate the best value for money for the public sector.
• Influencing and persuasion skills at a senior (director and CEO) level.
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and the ability to communicate appropriately with a range of stakeholders, both verbally and with written reports, to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to articulate detailed legal/technical provisions in concise, non‑technical terms.
• Ability to informally train and mentor less experienced staff.
• Commitment to equality and diversity.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.

Key tasks

• Act as the single point of contact for all education delivery partner queries when scoping their New Project Requests and proceeding through the business case steps; SOC, OBC and FBC approval points.
• Review and approve, on behalf of Welsh Government, all derogations to the technical and legal standard form template documents as part of the business case review processes.
• Regularly report internally to the Welsh Government’s Programme Director on the progress of each project.
• Proactively assist education delivery partners in resolving significant project specific technical, commercial, and financial issues which are preventing a project from progressing to financial close within agreed budget caps.
• Help education delivery partners to prepare for and gather knowledge, to ensure that post‑contract signature, there is sufficient understanding of both the legal and technical documentation to allow the Project Agreement to be managed smoothly and efficiently during the consequent stages.

Post Service Availability

• During the Operational Phase, the Contract Manager will provide specialist support to education delivery partners in the ongoing management of Facilities Management services, including managing performance against specification/contract.
• The link between snagging/unavailability and performance shortfalls.
• The delivery of the Building Performance Evaluation and ongoing Post Occupancy Evaluation.
• Recommissioning and optimising the Building Performance.
• Energy monitoring usage and consumption and setting the ongoing performance targets for energy consumption following the bedding‑in period.
• Operation of the Payment Mechanism and application of deductions.

Development opportunities

The Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme is a major investment programme delivered across Wales. The Programme supports a wide range of government commitments and works across policy areas. The post holder will communicate and build relationships with colleagues from across the Welsh government. This exciting and fast‑paced role provides ample opportunities for Ministerial engagement and development of policy, legislation, stakeholder management and engagement, and project management development.

Other vacancy related information

• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity.
• Frequent travel to delivery partner project sites and Cathays Park, Cardiff is a requirement for this role to which a Full UK Driving Licence will be required.