At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage high-value commercial contracts for UCL's Estates Development.
- Company: UCL, a top global university with a diverse community.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, on-site gym, and more.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of commercial contracts in a prestigious institution.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in contract management and negotiation.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
About us UCL is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary universities, with more than 18,000 staff and over 51,000 students from more than 150 countries.
Alongside our global reputation for teaching and research, we manage a significant and complex commercial environment, spending more than 900 million each year with third-party suppliers.
Commercial & Procurement Services plays an important role in ensuring this investment delivers maximum value for UCL.
Within Estates Development, we support an extensive portfolio of capital investment and development activity, working with colleagues and suppliers to strengthen commercial performance, manage risk and deliver sustainable long-term value.
As we continue to develop our in-house commercial capability, we are looking for an experienced commercial contracts professional to help shape how some of our most important Estates Development contracts are managed.
About the role As Head of Commercial Contracts – Estates Development, you will provide senior commercial leadership across a portfolio of strategic, high-value and business-critical supplier contracts.
Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain – Estates Development, you will take a proactive approach to contract lifecycle management, ensuring contracts continue to deliver value for money, strong service performance and appropriate commercial and contractual protection for UCL.
You will lead supplier governance and strategic supplier relationships, oversee commercial negotiations and contractual change, and use performance and financial insight to identify opportunities to improve value, reduce cost and strengthen outcomes.
You will also take a lead role in managing commercial and supply-chain risk, resolving contractual and supplier performance issues and ensuring appropriate governance and controls are in place.
Working closely with Category Management, Finance, Legal, operational stakeholders and suppliers, you will help establish consistent, data-led commercial contract management practices and contribute to the continued development of UCL’s commercial capability.
About you You will be an experienced senior commercial or contract management professional with significant experience of managing, negotiating and improving complex contracts within a large, complex or regulated organisation.
You will bring strong knowledge of contract lifecycle management, supplier governance, commercial and financial management, risk and value-for-money delivery.
Experience of contract forms and mechanisms relevant to Estates, such as JCT, NEC or facilities management contracts, will be important.
You will be confident leading supplier negotiations, managing contractual change and resolving complex commercial or performance issues.
Strong analytical skills will enable you to interrogate financial and performance information, challenge costs and commercial assumptions, and translate data into clear insight for senior decision-makers.
Just as importantly, you will be a credible and collaborative senior stakeholder manager, comfortable advising and constructively challenging colleagues and suppliers.
You will bring the leadership and commercial judgement needed to strengthen supplier accountability, improve ways of working and help UCL build a high-performing commercial contract management capability.
What we offer As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan• Immigration loan• Relocation scheme for certain posts• On-Site nursery• On-site gym• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service• Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www. ucl. ac. uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Head of Commercial Contracts - Estates Development in London employer: University College London
University College London is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, particularly within the Cultural and Community Engagement team at UCL East. As an apprentice, you will benefit from hands-on experience in communications while being supported by a team dedicated to your professional growth and development. With a focus on diversity and community involvement, this role offers unique opportunities to engage with various events and initiatives that make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Contracts - Estates Development in London
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Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Commercial Contracts - Estates Development at University College London!
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Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Commercial Contracts - Estates Development role at University College London!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Contracts - Estates Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at University College London. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
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How to prepare for a job interview at University College London
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
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We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at University College London. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
