High Speed 2 is looking for Commercial Manager -  Third-Party Agreements Negotiator who could come from a range of backgrounds but must have understanding of Contract Management, Contract Drafting & Negotiating, open to a range of backgrounds:– Contract Management/ Commercial Manager / Quantity Surveyor / Legal Contract Specialist and you will work within a 20+ strong Third Party Agreements Team who are responsible for negotiating and drafting bespoke Third-Party Contractual Agreements with third parties such as: local authority, utilities (stats authorities), Network Rail, Highways Agency, landowners, Airports etc. 

The Commercial Third Agreements Negotiator will manage the negotiation, development and embedding of contractual arrangements with a variety of third parties e.g. local authorities, land owners, highways authorities, rail companies at 2 key Stations – Old Oak Common (London) and Curzon Street (Birmingham). The type of contract agreements you will be negotiating and agreeing will include – Asset protection, confidentiality agreements, Design & Build, funding, land Access, Undertaking and Assurances to name a few.  Each agreement will be unique and have bespoke Terms.

The agreements are required to facilitate the construction and operation of the HS2 network.  You will also will be the custodian of the relationships in terms of the agreements with a number of Key organisations including – Ealing Local Authority, Kensington & Chelsea Local Authority, Network Rail and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation

Initially this is a 3 month contract, which, will highly be extend contract or with the opportunity to go permanent.

Work Situation - Hybrid

The site office location is Birmingham City Centre or London Euston coupled with hybrid working. There is a flexible hybrid working model working 2 days a week from the office.  Overall this is a very flexible modern employer who cares about delivery not where you deliver from, however, if you wish to be based front the office more you can.

Third Party Contract Negotiator             £500 – 550 A Day INSIDE IR35

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing, negotiating and implementing a portfolio of Commercial Agreements, in accordance with processes.
• Manage internal stakeholder relationships, ensuring their pipeline of agreements is identified, planned and delivered to the plan.
• Develop strategies for a portfolio of agreements ensuring that these are aligned with the Commercial Strategy and the overall HS2 objectives, including the delivery of wider benefits.
• Supporting the achievement of assurance and governance requirements of all commercial agreement deliverables as defined within the HS2 Construction Procurement Handbook.
• Responsible for the negotiation of assigned portfolio of agreements, developing negotiating strategies and plans, forming and leading negotiation teams to agree all principles. Responsible for instructing legal drafting, reviewing and negotiating contract details.
• Embed awarded agreements within relevant business teams, ensuring contract management plans are in place.
• Manage interfaces with construction (and other) procurements and with directorate commercial team, to influence delivery strategies and to ensure requirements of Commercial Agreements are appropriately shared with contractors.
• Lead development and assess commercial models for charging by third party and/or pricing of HS2 services effectively managing risk, complying with Managing Public Money guidelines and driving best value.
• To be responsible for working with stakeholders and HS2 Construction Delivery Teams to deliver supplementary projects that sit outside of the Phase 1 Act that deliver additional benefits.
• Supporting with the establishment of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Phase 1 and support collaborative working relationships that secure effective joint outcomes.
• To be accountable for supporting the establishment of collaborative ways of working with defined and agreed stakeholders assisting in brokering, negotiating and delivering schemes that interact with the HS2 programme, agreeing joint ways of working that maximise opportunities whilst protecting HS2 delivery – cost and programme.
• To be responsible for supporting the negotiation strategies for additional commercial agreements and variations to existing agreements that support the delivery of Phase 1, ensuring value for money whilst maintaining the safe and timely delivery of the HS2 scheme.
• To be accountable for supporting the management of agreed external relationships with strategic stakeholders – effective management of the existing third party agreements and introduction and shaping of new agreements as required.
• To be accountable for supporting the appropriate response to issues raised with strategic partners regarding opportunities to enhance HS2 scope for regional benefit where feasible to do so.

• Actively promote and embed Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI

Required Criteria  

Interested in talking to candidates with commercial experience within Infrastructure / construction you could be a Commercial Manager /Contract Management/ Quantity Surveyor or Legal Contract Specialist.  Preferred experience would be utilities, highways authorities, rail companies, local authorities and working in a regulated sector such as rail or utilities or public sector / government funded would also be an advantage. 

Interested in talking to people from Legal background who are Commercial Contract Specialists have experience of Negotiating, drafting and agreeing commercial contract agreements.

SKILLS

• Ability to develop collaborative relationships, influence and build trust amongst stakeholders and communities exercising diplomacy at every stage.
• Ability to lead cross-functional negotiation teams in fast paced commercial environments.
• Ability to develop contract documents.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills in relation to wide-ranging propositions.
• Ability to produce and present documents and reports to a variety of audiences, including internal stakeholders at various levels in the organisation.
• Ability to manage competing demands to agreed deadlines.
• Analytical skills and an ability to interpret and respond to changing landscapes and understand and communicate complex issues with clarity and pay attention to detail.

KNOWLEDGE

• Commercial knowledge - ideally have technical construction contract experience – NEC, JCT, ICE etc
• An understanding of the complex political environment within which HS2 operates, including relevant governance and accountability issues.

TYPE OF EXPERIENCE

• Experience of delivering performance focused collaborative agreements within a commercial environment.
• Experience of Contract Management and/or commercial management of contracts
• Commercial expertise to ensure that value for money is secured and demonstrated
• Sponsor / Stakeholder relationship and management experience
• Experience of working in a political and/or regulated environment/sector.