Senior Contracts Administrator

UK Research and Innovation Salary: £34,905 per annum Hours: Full time Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House,Swindon or Keyworth, Nottingham (Hybrid working available) Closing Date Sunday 5th January 2025 This role will not attract points to obtain a sponsored Skilled Worker visa, under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system.
Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work for the role, but who can demonstrate they will be eligible to obtain a valid work visa via another UK visa route, in line with the Contract Type shown in the vacancy.
At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.
You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y About us The role sits within the Chief Information Officer Hub: Business Management function which provides expert guidance and assistance to ensure efficient operational delivery of IT, aligned with Government and UKRI standards.
We work with IT delivery teams across UKRI, providing key IT support services.
The Business Management team actively manages over 300 IT contracts with a value in excess of £32m.
Role Purpose The contract management team within The CIO Hub Business Management function deliver comprehensive end-to-end support for digital and technology procurement contracts, ensuring timely renewal of contracts, and engaging with key stakeholders to understand procurement needs.
As a Senior (Procurement) Contracts Administrator, you will report to the Contracts Manager within the CIO Business Management Team, Providing guidance on the appropriate procurement process in line with the UKRI Procurement Policy.
You will engage with key stakeholders, including IT and Project managers, technical teams and various projects, to understand their requirements, advising how these are best met in the most compliant, efficient and cost-effective manner.
Main outputs and activities We are seeking a detail-orientated senior contracts administrator to work within our contracts management team.
The role is responsible for supporting the procurement and management of technology and digital contracts, including: Leading standard contract renewals, with support and guidance from the Business Management Contracts Manager.
Working with end-users and central procurement teams to ensure that contracts are renewed in a timely manner and in line with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
Engagement with key stakeholders across UKRI to understand procurement needs and provide expert advice and guidance with writing specifications, evaluation questions and SSA's.
Following the implemented contract management plan and building strong working relationships with suppliers to ensure agreed Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators are met throughout the contract lifecycle.
Maintaining an up-to-date contract database which supports workflow management and workload allocation.
Identification and management of opportunities for consolidation and aggregation to achieve improved value for money.
Following and promoting best practice to deliver an efficient, cost-effective service to UKRI Other key information The successful candidate will demonstrate the following at Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I): Essential: Experience in contract management and procurement facilitation, including associated financial processes (S&I) Knowledge of the various procurement routes to market with the ability to advise on the most appropriate where necessary (S&I) Proven ability to identify key stakeholders and actively engage with them on a routine basis (S&I) Effective written and oral communication skills (S&I) Effective negotiation skills, leading to positive outcomes (S&I) Ability to identify and actively engage with stakeholders (S&I) Ability to work independently and lead work areas whilst also contributing to the wider team (S&I) Methodical and well-informed approach to decision making (S&I) Prepared to undertake contract management and procurement courses as required (S&I).
Desirable: Experience of working within the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (S) Contract management expertise within the IT sector (S) Experience of leading and managing a small team (S&I) Knowledge of both General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Cyber Security Principles (CSP) (S&I) About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.
UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so.
We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.
For further information, please visit ' How we support EDI in the workforce '.
Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role.
Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role.
Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded.
Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.
Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Additional Information Organisation: UKRI - Digital Data and Technology Contract Type: Open Ended External Closing Date: Jan 5, 2025 Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 34,905 Hours: Full-time