Senior Contract Manager

Our Mission

We are known as IfATE, we are a group of passionate people who work with employers to develop, approve, review and revise apprenticeships and technical qualifications.

We are transforming and improving the skills system by putting employers at the heart and making it easier to navigate for all.

You will be part of an organisation that works to help people of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to maximise their potential, contribute to improving social mobility and the UK’s productivity.

Find out more about the work of IfATE in the ‘What we do’ page on our website.

We are building an inclusive culture to make IfATE a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, and actively welcome applications from everyone including those from underrepresented groups.

As a Senior Contract Manager, you will be part of IfATE’s Commercial Delivery Division with line management responsibility for contract managers in the Division’s contract management function.  You will be responsible for overseeing the contract management of the Awarding Organisations who will deliver T Level qualifications.

Working flexibly is important to the success of the Delivery Division, and while you will have specific responsibilities related to T Levels, you will also ensure, working with the Deputy Director and Heads of Service, that the team operates in a ‘one team’ approach and can cover a range of commercial activities as appropriate.

There are currently 18 T Levels to choose between for careers in everything from healthcare, science, accounting and legal services, to construction, agriculture, digital services, engineering and finance. As a senior contract manager you will play a key role in supporting the development and delivery of these brand-new qualifications.

IfATE has a well-supported, collaborative and flexible working environment. The Commercial Delivery Division supports all team members in developing their commercial expertise through ongoing continuous professional development.

If you are an ambitious Senior Contract Manager, looking to be at the forefront of transforming the technical education landscape, we would love to hear from you.

As a Senior Contract Manager your main duties and responsibilities will include:

• Developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with T Level Awarding Organisations.
• Leading on day-to-day contract management of T Level Awarding Organisations, ensuring that delivery and performance requirements are monitored and met.
• Providing expert commercial advice and support to teams throughout IfATE to assist in the effective management of a range of contracts.
• Line management for contract managers in the IfATE’s contract management function.
• Developing the contract management capability of the team, as well as across the wider Institute.
• Working closely with colleagues across IfATE to continually develop and improve ways of working.
• Building strong relationships with wider stakeholders including the Department for Education and Ofqual, plus other bodies and external contractors.
• Present key information and progress to IfATE’s Senior Leadership Team and Boards and attend wider meetings with stakeholders.

There will be essential travel required occasionally to regional offices and external supplier sites.

We are looking for a motivated and proactive individual, with proven commercial expertise in challenging commercial scenarios. You will be effective in delivering initiatives, processes, new ways of working, improvements, efficiencies and have a track record of delivering good commercial outcomes.

 
Essential Criteria

• Experience of working in a public or private sector commercial environment, with the ability to influence and engage suppliers and stakeholders to drive progress on strategic and business objectives through others.
• A strong focus on the delivery of successful outcomes, identifying pragmatic solutions, including the ability to manage conflicting priorities and using sound decision making, taking into account the commercial and financial environment.
• A good level of understanding of commercial and legal issues in contracts, knowing when to seek legal advice.
• Excellent communications skills with the ability to communicate complex commercial and policy changes to a wide-ranging audience.
• Organised and proactive, with high attention to detail and an ability to grasp information quickly from a range of sources. 
• A thorough understanding of project management, risk management and performance management.
• Experience of taking a leading role in a customer focussed commercial service to deliver a quality service on time, often under challenging circumstances.

 
Desirable Criteria  

• An appropriate commercial qualification is desirable e.g. working towards MCIPS, or an equivalent contract management or commercial certification.
• Experience of working within the Education sector
• Experience of developing commercial policies and training materials.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie between candidates.

Working flexibly is important to the success of the IfATE, and while you will have specific responsibilities as set out above, you will be part of a ‘one team’ approach and may be asked to be involved in a range of other activities.  As new areas of work progress, you may be asked to move between teams to deliver the IfATE’s key priorities.

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Functional Framework and Competencies to be used, Commercial Technical Skills as referenced within the Government Commercial Function People Standards for the Profession The competency level for this role is: Commercial Lead – Contract & Supplier Manageme

Job contact :

• Name : Justine Dennis
• Email : justine.dennis@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : IFArecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk