Lead Contract Manager in Leeds

WFH policy: Employees are required to attend the office 2 days/week. Flexible working: Variety of flexible work patterns subject to line manager discretion e.g. Compressed 9-day fortnight.

Reports to: Head of Account and Contract Management.

Role Summary: The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) is a private limited company wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) and established to play a key role in the transformation of the UK's electricity system – ensuring future supply is secure, low-carbon and affordable as we progress to Net Zero 2050. LCCC is the counterparty to the Contracts for Difference (CfD), the scheme whereby low-carbon generation is supported in order to compete with conventional fossil fuel generation. There are over 100 CfDs currently in operation, covering a wide range of renewable technologies including offshore and onshore wind, solar and biomass conversion. The number of CfDs will greatly increase through 2023 and beyond due to the next allocation rounds, that being the auction process where different renewable projects compete to secure CfDs.

Lead Contract Managers will lead a team of circa 4 contract managers (Assistant / Contract / Senior / Principal Contract Managers) who each manage a portfolio of about 25 CfD contracts (contract values c.£50m to £1bn). The more technically complex CfD contracts are managed by the more experienced and senior members of the team. Each contract manager is responsible for the day-to-day relationship and contract management of their assigned CfD portfolio.

Given that LCCC is a not-for-profit organisation, this is not a typical contract or commercial management role. Performance is not measured against a bottom line, but instead by two guiding principles: to maintain investors' confidence in the CfD scheme and to minimise cost to consumers, whilst enabling the delivery of the CfD projects.

Under each individual CfD contract we share common objectives with Generators (counterparties to the CfD contracts) and, based on the long-term nature of the CfD contracts, relationship and account management is an important and significant part of the Lead Contract Managers' role. Interaction with Generators is frequent during the contract lifecycle (20+ years), and particularly during the initial 4-5 years, when projects are going through the development and construction phases. Lead Contract Managers normally communicate with their respective account managed Generators on a weekly/fortnightly basis particularly when Generators are close to achieving contractual milestones, and likely less frequently once the projects are in operation. Site visits to each project are also undertaken at least once a year and provide a unique opportunity to gain exposure to several leading edge technologies implemented as part of the multimillion/billion GBP projects.

The Lead Contract Managers will, as well as managing their team, their CfD contract portfolio and being part of the Scheme Delivery Extended Leadership team, also lead on supporting the wider Scheme Delivery Team and LCCC initiatives, and regularly interface with both internal (Legal, Data & Analytics, Finance, etc.) and external (Ofgem, EMRS, etc.) stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading the planning phase of the Contract Management activity.
• In depth understanding of contract terms and conditions.
• Following the anticipated successive ESNZ publications which are expected to provide further level of detail.
• Offering continuous feedback and assisting ESNZ in the further development of any new terms.
• Leading the procurement of advisors to assist LCCC with its reporting obligations under the contracts and set up the reporting templates.
• Developing contract management procedures, systems and guidance (or adapting existing ones), tailored to the requirements of the new contracts.
• Supporting the Settlement and Forecasting teams in their understanding of the payment mechanisms; sense checking the robustness and suitability of the settlement system and forecasting logic proposed by the respective teams.
• Recruit and on-board additional contract management team members.
• Leading and enabling the contract management.
• Having ownership and responsibility for the assigned contracts, acting as the Account Manager and managing contractual processes and issues, including actively identifying and resolving potential disputes.
• Applying judgement to managing the contracts, based on LCCC's overarching interpretation.
• Leading the review of information provided by the developers and lead the preparation and presentation of regular briefings to senior stakeholders on the progress of the project, key risks and any other relevant matters.
• Scoping, instructing and managing the work of the appointed technical and financial advisors to support the above (including challenging the views advanced by the advisors).
• Providing high quality detailed and insightful analysis and advice in relation to technical, existing and/or new CfDs, new schemes, or other LCCC functions.
• The role will be flexible across our schemes whether managing CfDs or any new schemes in future as they are allocated to the LCCC.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise:

• A self-starting Lead Contract Manager with extensive relevant commercial experience, and a passion for leading and developing people/teams.
• Leadership of operational contract management including: Team leadership, People line management, Reviews, Negotiation, Change management and administration, Claim/dispute management and settlement.
• A demonstrable ability to maintain and develop multiple stakeholder relationships and undertake stakeholder management.
• Experience of relevant legal, regulatory and contract management issues.
• Commercial acumen with extensive experience of analysing and developing solutions to collaboratively solving complex commercial and contractual issues (multiple £m's) whilst maintaining relationships.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation) enabling the clear explanation of complex technical, commercial, and contractual issues to multiple audiences.
• Experience in the energy, power generation, or infrastructure sector.
• Understanding of the current UK energy policy landscape and regulations, including power and renewables sectors.
• Contracts for Difference (CfD) experience/knowledge.
• Project finance transactional experience.

Employee Benefits:

• Annual performance based bonus, up to 10%.
• 25 days annual leave, plus eight bank holidays.
• Up to 8% pension contribution.
• Financial support and time off for study relevant to your role, plus a professional membership subscription.
• Employee referral scheme (up to £1500), and colleague recognition scheme.
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave and shared parental leave.
• Free, confidential employee assistance, including financial management, family care, mental health, and on-call GP service.
• Three paid volunteering days a year.
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work schemes.
• Family savings on days out and English Heritage, gym discounts, cash back and discounts at selected retailers.
• Employee resource groups.

About Low Carbon Contracts Company: The Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) exists to help decarbonise the generation of electricity and make it more affordable for the future. Our work is central to the delivery of the Government's objective to achieve Net Zero target by 2050.

At LCCC, we are powered by curiosity, driven to learn from different perspectives and experiences as we work towards a flexible energy future. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves and feel empowered to own every outcome. We believe that we are better together – and that diverse teams, reflective of the communities we serve, help us thrive, innovate and deliver greater impact.