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

The Commercial Contract Negotiator will manage the negotiation, development and embedding of contractual arrangements with a variety of third parties e.g. local authorities, landowners, highways authorities, rail companies at key points along the 140m line of route between London & Birmingham such as  – 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 (templates and legal support offered).

Both of the roles will have a focus on Undertaking & Assurances (U&A’s) – U&A’s are simply Third Party Agreements (TPA’s) which were put in place before Royal Assent - some of them require new TPAs to be put in place, in the management of them, or varying them.  There is a more defined process and greater requirement with the U&As for writing/maintaining Compliance Plans (equivalent to a TPA Management Plan), recording of compliance evidence and ultimately being able to discharge.

The agreements are required to facilitate and enable the construction and operation of the HS2 network.  Working with Third Parties and Internal Stakeholders (predominantly HS2 project managers and Contractors within Integrated Project Teams (delivery!)) to comply with U&As, provide evidence of compliance and manage through the discharge process. All in accordance with U&A Management Processes.

Initially this is a 3-month contract, which, will very likely be extended (potential long contract).

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 1 to 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 Agreements Manager             £480 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 Project Manager /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. 

You will have managed, negotiated and drafted commercial contract agreements – Third Party Agreements or Undertaking & Assurances on construction or infrastructure projects.

These are hands on roles, HS2 need people that can take an issue and resolve it through in accordance with processes and system requirements ie. act on their own initiative, be pro-active, real doers to a high standard.  There is some legal support but essentially you will be taking responsibilities for all stages through to resolution.

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 Third-Party Contract agreements or Undertaking & Assurances.
• 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.