MIM Contract Manager
Closing date: 28/04/2026, 16:00
Position: Permanent
Start salary: £76,715 – £82,089 (non negotiable)
Grade: 6 (£76,715 – £88,023)
Location: Pan Wales (attendance in Cardiff fortnightly)
Work pattern: Full time (options for part‑time or job share)
Purpose of post
The current phase of investment for Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL) will see £5.5bn invested in new and refurbished school and college buildings across Wales. The Contract Manager will act as the central point of contact for all delivery partners involved in the MIM element of SCfL and will manage all centrally procured external advisers (legal, technical, financial, hedge‑fund, insurance).
Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the delivery of the MIM Project Agreements with Local Authority and Further Education partners.
* Work with delivery partners to understand and apply the Strategic Partnering Agreement and standard form Project Agreement.
* Assess and challenge delivery partners’ self‑monitoring information, service‑charge invoicing and contractual performance.
* Develop, implement and maintain internal processes and procedures to support procurement and contract management.
* Appoint and manage external advisors (legal, technical, financial, insurance).
* Secure best value for money on client behalf through commercial processes.
* Provide expert advice throughout the lifecycle: scoping, business case, construction, service availability and operational phase.
* Represent the Welsh Government in communications with senior stakeholders.
* Serve as mentor to junior staff.
Key tasks
Pre‑Financial Close
* Act as single point of contact for queries from delivery partners during new project requests and business case steps.
* Review and approve derogations to technical and legal standard form documents.
* Report progress to the Programme Director.
* Assist partners in resolving technical, commercial, financial issues preventing financial close.
* Prepare partners for post‑contract contract management.
Construction Phase
* Monitor construction against Project Co Proposals, Authority requirements and Programme expectations.
* Support partners with review procedures, design development, discharge of planning conditions, substation leases, utilities, FF&E/ICT decisions, programme delays, changes, stop notices, opening up, and compensation & delay events.
Service Availability & 12‑Month Post‑Availability
* Provide advisory support up to service availability to ensure contractor compliance.
* Assist partners on roles of Independent Tester, acceptance testing, snagging, soft landings, training, user guide, commissioning, optimisation, post‑occupancy evaluation and facilities management.
* Monitor and present operational performance, escalation events and manage class‑of‑risk notifications.
Operational Phase (Post‑Service Availability)
* Manage facilities management services and performance.
* Link snagging/unavailability to performance shortfalls.
* Deliver building performance evaluations and post‑occupancy evaluations.
* Recommission and optimise building performance.
* Monitor energy usage, set performance targets, operate payment mechanism and apply deductions.
* Handle availability, service performance, escalation events, authority damage and value changes.
* Manage subcontractor relationships and address Welsh Government monitoring requirements.
Skills & Experience
* Extensive programme and contract management in complex construction projects, including PFI/PPP.
* Proven ability to interrogate complex contracts, understand performance standards and payment mechanisms.
* Strong time‑management, prioritisation and deadline‑setting.
* Outstanding relationship‑management with senior stakeholders.
* Procurement and leadership expertise for appointing and managing legal, technical, financial, hedge‑fund and insurance advisors.
* Tact, diplomacy and communication skills across verbal and written formats.
* Excellent analytical skills to interpret commercial, financial, technical and legal data.
* Influencing and persuasion skills at senior director/CEO level.
* Ability to mentor junior staff.
* Commitment to equality and diversity.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
Development opportunities
This role offers opportunities to engage with Welsh Government policy areas, Ministerial engagement and development of policy, legislation, stakeholder management and project management.
Benefits
* Annual leave: 31 days (pro‑rated for part‑time).
* Training and development opportunities.
* Cycle2Work Scheme.
* Smart Working flexible arrangement.
* Green Car Scheme (subject to availability).
* Civil Service Pension Scheme (eligible for continuous membership).
Eligibility
Recruitment is open to UK nationals, Republic of Ireland nationals, Commonwealth nationals with right to work, EU/Switzerland/Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein nationals and their settled or pre‑settled family members, and certain other specified groups. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.
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