Contracts Manager in Reading

Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations; Reading, Andover, Slough, Thatcham, Portsmouth, Melksham, New Forest, or London.

Salary: 51,600 - 77,400 + car/car allowance - if applicable + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available.

The role involves reporting to the Senior Contract Manager within Procurement & Commercial for SEPD Services. This is a senior commercial role supporting one of the most strategically important and fast-growing areas of the business.

You will lead commercial and contract management activity across a portfolio of Customer Operations and Large Connections projects, ensuring robust procurement strategies, contractual governance and supplier partnerships are in place to support the safe, efficient and timely delivery of critical infrastructure investment.

This is a highly visible role, working closely with stakeholders across Operations, Procurement, Commercial, Finance, Legal and our external supply chain. You'll provide commercial leadership, challenge and assurance, helping to manage cost, risk, change and supplier performance in an environment of increasing customer demand and network growth.

You will:

• Provide commercial advice, challenge and support to project teams, ensuring effective cost, risk, change and contract management controls.
• Develop and implement procurement and contracting strategies that deliver value, mitigate risk and support successful project outcomes.
• Manage NEC and other construction and engineering contracts throughout their lifecycle, from strategy development and contract award through to change management, claims, payment certification and final account settlement.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive performance, resolve commercial issues and support delivery against programme, budget and customer commitments.
• Deliver clear reporting and commercial insight, identifying risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of commercial processes, contract management standards and supplier engagement across the wider business.
• Review Applications for Payment and prepare Payment Notices and Final Accounts in line with contractual requirements.

You have:

• Significant experience leading commercial and contract management activities across complex project portfolios.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of NEC and other construction or engineering contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle.
• Experience managing commercial risk, change control, claims, payments and final account processes.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong commercial judgement, analytical capability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear challenge, guidance and assurance in a collaborative way.

Why this role? This is an opportunity to take on a senior commercial role in a fast-growing and highly visible part of the business. Customer Operations and Large Connections are central to enabling growth, supporting customers and delivering the infrastructure required for the energy transition.

You will be joining a commercially focused team that has grown in confidence and capability, working in a supportive and collaborative way while maintaining the constructive challenge needed to deliver strong commercial outcomes, influence supplier performance and play a key role in improving how we deliver complex work across the south of England.

About SSE: SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition.

Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing 33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030. Our Procurement & Commercial teams help us get the best service and value from partners, while ensuring suppliers meet compliance, contractual and business obligations.

SSEN Distribution, part of the wider SSE group, powers 3.9 million UK homes and businesses. Our team of more than 4,200 skilled engineers, customer service advisors and energy experts keep customers connected to a safe, reliable supply of electricity while investing in and developing the flexible networks needed for our low carbon future.

Flexible benefits to fit your life include discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships, wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service, interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme, as well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer: SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact francesca.palmer@sse.com / 01738 344763 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Ready to apply? Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.