Reporting to the Group IT Commercial Director, the role of Head of Strategic Contract Management is to support him/her in the management, oversight, and development of the commercial relationship between Legal & General and strategic, cross-functional IT suppliers.

The principal purpose of the role is to manage and govern strategic, cross-functional IT suppliers in order to drive increased value from the supplier, mitigate commercial and contractual risk, and control and oversee spend.

•             Commercial Management & Contract Negotiations – Be the trusted source of commercial information on prescribed strategic IT contracts and proactively provide leadership and guidance to Group IT and business functions on matters relating to strategic contracts.  Be a recognised focal point for Commercial Contract Management matters both within Group IT and representing Group IT at business unit meetings. Lead on Contract negotiations in relation to Strategic Suppliers. Develop and implement creative commercial solutions within contract life management that delivers incremental value to Legal & General, e.g. cost savings, cost avoidance, or flexible commercial models.

•             Financial Management – Working closely with Group Finance to ensure appropriate financial controls are in place for strategic IT contracts and oversight is provided to relevant group and business unit functions.  Be a recognised focal point for all financial matters related to strategic IT contracts and provide Group IT and Business Divisions high quality support on activities at all stages of the financial calendar, e.g. budget setting, forecasting and business case development. Ensure financial controls are in place, including, where appropriate, the use of the Purchase to Pay system.  Ensure all accurate supplier invoices are paid on time.

•             Relationship Management – In accordance with Group Policy own the relationship with strategic IT suppliers. Ensure that appropriate oversight and reporting is in place to evidence continued compliance of strategic IT contracts to Group Polices.  Develop, maintain and communicate the Terms of References for all contractual governance boards required for the management and oversight of strategic IT contracts.  Chair senior level supplier meetings.  Provide relationship level input into Executive-level supplier meetings as required.

•             Risk Management – Working closely with Group Risk ensure that there are robust risk management processes embedded into the relationship with strategic IT suppliers.  Ensure processes are in place for risks to be shared, and escalated, between Legal & General and strategic suppliers.  Ensure risks and controls are updated and evidenced through the Risk Management System.

•             Business Partnering – Be a focal point representing Group IT Commercial within Business Divisions.  Provide expert commercial advice and guidance to Business Divisions to assist the Business Divisions in meeting their objectives. This may include representing Procurement or Supplier Relationship Management functions at Senior Management Business Division level forums.  Drive increased IT commercial and supplier management engagement across the wider Legal & General Group.

•             Strategy Development – Define, communicate and manage supplier strategies, aligned to the business level strategies, which deliver value and agreed outcomes for L&G.  Support the Group IT Commercial Director in the design, implementation and oversight of a Group IT Commercial Strategy that delivers insight into Group IT and out to the Business Divisions.

•             Performance Oversight – Define, implement and embed a proactive approach to the monitoring of supplier performance through commercial, financial and service level management. Investigating and supporting the resolution of supplier failures.

•             Dispute Management – Where disputes arise in the delivery of contracted services, lead the resolution of disputes with the minimum disruption to the relationship and service whilst protecting L&Gs commercial interests.

•             Contract Management - Ensure appropriate controls are in place for managing and implementing contractual changes.  Ensure services provided continue to be consistent with (or better) than those provided in the market more generally through the appropriate use of benchmarking provisions and/or market testing.  Ensure the terms and conditions governing strategic contracts remain in line with legal, regulatory and internal standards throughout their life.

•             Team Management - Manage, motivate and develop employees at all levels, in a manner that is consistent with the company’s policies, procedures and behaviours to maximise performance of the area including leadership of Employee Engagement for Group IT.

Qualifications

Appropriate qualifications and memberships (e.g. CIPS, etc.) are desirable.

In order to demonstrate the analytical and communications skills required to perform the role it is anticipated that the role holder will be educated to degree level or have acquired relevant work experience

Knowledge is required of:

•             IT systems and services, including in-depth knowledge of the commercial models used to procure these systems and services.

•             Contract law as it relates to commercial agreements and contract management.

•             Procurement processes and procedures.

•             Risk management processes and procedures.

•             In depth knowledge of the financial services market and the associated supplier landscape.

Experience is required of:

•             Proven leadership experience (desirable)

•             strong commercial experience gained from a managed service governance, vendor management or business development background

•             Experience of financial planning management and forecasting

•             Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to senior management teams

•             Experience of working within a specialist team delivering against demanding individual and team performance targets

•             Demonstrate success in a pressured commercial environment

•             Experience of working on an outsource agreement

•             Commercial and contractual management experience

•             Financial Services or an Technology background

•             Experienced negotiator

Personal Attributes

The job holder must have:

•             The gravitas to work successfully across different businesses, seniorities and business cultures

•             Superior analytical, evaluative and problem-solving abilities

•             Exceptional service orientation and customer focus

•             The ability to work in a challenging work environment

•             Strong negotiation skills

•             Confidence in decision-making and delivery

•             Ability to listen to others and talk honestly and persuasively

•             Adaptability

•             Excellent written and oral communication skills

•             The ability to present ideas and technical security concepts in business- and user-friendly language

Whatever your role, we reward ability, performance and attitude with a package that looks after all the things that are important to you. Our employees have a wide range of benefits including a generous pension scheme, life assurance, 30 days' holiday, private medical insurance, performance related bonuses, discounts at both a huge range of high street stores and our own great products, as well as a 12% car allowance scheme, your hard work will be rewarded when you join us.

For further information please contact Reesa Berry, Resourcing Lead on reesa.berry@landg.com