Service Delivery Contracts Manager

Dstl Digital provides the platforms and services which underpin the Dstl business and associated S&T Capabilities, and by virtue of the user experience we provide, we are responsible for making Dstl a great place to work.

As a Digital Contracts Manager at Dstl, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing the contracts that underpin the organisation’s digital infrastructure and services; ensuring that they are effectively executed and contribute to the fulfilment of Dstl's strategy and objectives. This role requires a strong understanding of digital procurement, contract management, and a commitment to delivering high-quality services.

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.

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 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.

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 Service Level Agreements (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.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.