Contract Operations Manager

We are looking for a new member of our team to become an integral part of the effective running of a multi-billion-pound fund, set up for the benefit of future generations. The successful candidate will join our small, experienced team as a contract operations manager, with a key role in managing the liabilities funding contracts under which Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF) makes payments to EDF and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to support the decommissioning of eight UK nuclear power stations. The role is predominantly based at home, although there may be a transition to weekly/ fortnightly meetings in Edinburgh and therefore those applying should live within a commutable distance. Travel to meetings across the UK will also be required. The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile and strategically significant programme. Our team is small but ambitious, and we are looking for a confident self-starter who can operate independently, build strong relationships, and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. The role: ·      Stakeholder engagement: Build and develop relationships inside and outside the organisation to support successful contract execution and advance NLF's strategic goals, which include promoting cost discipline, supporting realistic long-term liability cost estimates and ensuring appropriate challenge to improve efficiency and reduce costs over time.   ·      Principal external stakeholders consist of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, EDF Energy (EDF), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS).   Internal stakeholders include the NLF Liabilities Funding Committee, other board members and NLF's independent technical adviser. ·      Project management insight: the successful candidate will interpret information from EDF, NDA and NRS across complex projects and programmes and provide NLF with robust, independent insight into cost, schedule and performance reporting. The role will confirm that progress is being measured objectively, variances are understood early, and forecast outcomes are credible and defensible, using Earned Value Analysis (EVA/EVM) as a core discipline.  ·      Operational support: The role will support NLF by translating contract deliverables and decommissioning programme and assurance data into clear, actionable intelligence on delivery confidence, risk and uncertainty, and opportunities to optimise plans and improve efficiency.  This will inform NLF's positioning at stakeholder engagement meetings. ·      Contract administration: Oversee all matters related to the Nuclear Liabilities Funding Agreement and AGR Funding Agreement. Facilitate both internal and external meetings concerning liabilities, coordinate contributions from NLF for stakeholder engagements and specific initiatives, monitor action items, update project delivery plans, and compile briefing materials and meeting summaries. ·      Maintain thorough and accurate contract documentation and records and undertake an annual compliance review. ·      Reporting responsibilities: Ensure comprehensive and timely reporting to all stakeholders and escalate issues and actionable items promptly. Prepare reports for, and attend, NLF's Liabilities Funding Committee (a sub-committee of the NLF board). ·      Team Contributions: Participate in broader team activities such as risk management and the implementation of organisational policies and controls. ·      Provide flexible support to the executive team in daily operations and other projects from time to time. The role reports directly to the Head of Governance and Liabilities Funding. Candidate specification i) Excellent communication skills with commercial contract management and/or project management experience. ii) Self-starter capable of working with limited day-to-day supervision and from a non-office environment. iii) Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field iv) Highly organised, with good attention to detail v) Proven capability to engage and influence a range of stakeholders  vi) 2-5 years general commercial experience vii) Knowledge and experience of project planning and experience of EVA/EVM. viii) High degree of professional awareness and ability to liaise effectively at different levels in organisations ix) Demonstrate the following values:

• Act with transparency and cooperation
• Be open to continued improvement and learning
• Deliver on internal and/or external commitments
• Alignment with the Nolan Principles of Public Life Remuneration ·      Competitive, depending on experience ·      Pension ·      Life insurance ·      Discretionary bonus. NLF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.  About the Nuclear Liabilities Fund The Nuclear Liabilities Fund is an independent ring-fenced fund, created in 1996 to ensure that money is available to meet the costs of decommissioning eight nuclear power stations. How we operate What the fund can be used for: the fund's assets are ring-fenced for nuclear decommissioning. Money can be used to meet decommissioning costs and the costs of managing and investing the assets, but not for other purposes. Decommissioning plans and costs: Decommissioning costs are based on plans developed and delivered by organisations such as EDF Energy and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Given the scale, complexity and long-term nature of decommissioning, cost estimates are regularly reviewed and updated as plans develop and assumptions change. Investing for the long-term: NLF's role is to safeguard and invest the fund's assets to generate returns, helping to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet decommissioning costs over time. Given the timescales of decommissioning, a significant proportion of these costs are not expected to arise for many decades. How are taxpayers protected? The fund helps ensure that decommissioning costs are planned for over the long term and do not fall unexpectedly on taxpayers. The government has provided guarantees that decommissioning costs will continue to be met if the fund's assets are insufficient. The fund also contributes to public finances through corporation tax payments and supports economic activity through investment.