About the job

Job summary

Are you a Service Delivery Contracts Manager looking for a new challenge?

Does working in the defence area excite you?

You have the opportunity to make genuine impact and difference to UK defence and security becoming part of Dstl Digital and the support behind the science.

You will oversee and manage essential infrastructure and services at the foundation of the organisation.

This important role will see you manage the portfolio of digital contracts which include software development, IT services and digital solutions. You will ensure contracts are effectively delivered and allow our science and technology area meet the objectives protecting the UK and armed forces.

Joining a collaborative, impactful and innovative organisation you will bring a strong understanding of digital procurement, contract management and commitments to delivering high quality service as you question norms and bring new ideas into the role.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Manage a portfolio of digital contracts, including software development, IT services, and digital solutions, ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with external vendors, contractors, and suppliers, facilitating effective communication and issue resolution.
• Lead the procurement process for digital solutions, from identifying requirements to contract award, ensuring adherence to procurement regulations and best practices
• Monitor and enforce contract compliance, including Service Level Agreements (SLAs), milestones, and deliverables, and take appropriate actions to address deviations.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with digital contracts, proactively addressing issues that may impact project timelines or budget.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the contract management function and contribute to the development of best practices.
• Prepare and deliver reports on contract status, vendor performance, and financial metrics to senior management and stakeholders.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has: 

• A good understanding of ITIL, underpinned by experience gained through years of management of services and suppliers.
• Experience of instituting and sustaining robust, productive, and co-operative relationships with Service Providers, customers and colleagues and has experience of drawing the best from internal and external suppliers.
• A good understanding of business drivers, customer strategy, and can act as the face of the customer to the Service Providers.
• Experience of using large data sets to assure SLAs and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are being met, and taking remedial action when necessary.
• A continuous improvement approach to managing contracts, able to identify risks and strengths, and where appropriate, confident in negotiating contract changes.

Leadership

As a leader in Defence you will help shape, role model and bring to life the ‘One Defence’ mindset that will enable us to deliver our vision and strategic objectives. Your leadership style must be inspiring, confident and empowering. Working at every level of our organisation to break down silos, unite teams and create a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse and inclusive. Enabling us to deliver with pace and agility through the skills, commitment and empowerment of our employees and military colleagues.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,014, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £14,853 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

The sifting for this vacancy will take place during the week commencing Monday 4th March 2024 and the interviews will take place week commencing Monday 18th March 2024.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.