Operations Liaison and Contracts Manager
Warrington, GB, WA3 6EY
Operations Liaison and Contracts Manager
£55,744 to £65,518 + up to 6% bonus
Location: Hybrid in any of Warrington, Warwick or Bristol
About us
At National Gas, the work we do matters.
As Britain's national gas network, we help keep the lights on, businesses running, and homes warm by maintaining the critical infrastructure that transports gas across Great Britain. While providing the energy security Britain relies on today, we're also helping transform the network for a clean energy future.
Join us and help secure Britain's energy.
About the role
The Operations Liaison & Contracts Manager will be responsible for the effective management, performance and strategic development of a portfolio of operational support contracts across Rotating Machinery, Control Systems and associated engineering disciplines.
The role will provide a critical link between Operations, Engineering, Regional Engineering Teams, Cyber and external suppliers, ensuring that contracted services are aligned with operational priorities, asset availability, safety, compliance and long-term business strategy.
Why this role matters
What you'll be doing
A key responsibility will be to lead the rationalisation and optimisation of the existing contract portfolio, developing and implementing a structured tendering strategy that reduces duplication, improves commercial value, simplifies contract management and creates greater consistency across the organisation.
The role will also act as the primary focal point and conduit between Regional Cyber Engineers and the central Cyber function, ensuring effective forward planning, resource availability, prioritisation and delivery of Cyber-related engineering activities across the operational estate.
Key Accountabilities:
- Contract Portfolio — Effective management and performance of the assigned contract portfolio.
- Commercial Value — Delivering measurable efficiencies and value through contract rationalisation and competitive tendering.
- Operational Delivery — Ensuring specialist contracted resources are available to support operational and engineering requirements.
- Cyber Interface — Providing a single, effective interface between Regional Cyber Engineering and central Cyber.
- Planning — Establishing effective forward visibility of demand, resources and availability.
- Stakeholder Alignment — Bringing Operations, Engineering, Cyber, Procurement and suppliers together around common priorities.
- Governance — Providing robust performance management, reporting and escalation.
What you'll bring
Essential
- Experience managing complex engineering, operational or technical support contracts.
- Strong understanding of contract management and supplier performance.
- Experience of developing scopes of work and supporting competitive tendering.
- Experience working across Operations, Engineering and Commercial/Procurement functions.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities across a complex operational environment.
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
Desirable
- Experience within the energy, gas, power, utilities or similarly safety-critical industries.
- Experience of Rotating Machinery, Control Systems, Instrumentation or Cyber/OT environments.
- Experience managing OEM and specialist engineering support contracts.
- Experience of contract rationalisation and strategic sourcing.
- Knowledge of Operational Technology/Cyber interfaces.
- Experience of working within regulated or highly controlled environments.
- Experience developing dashboards and performance-management systems.
Behaviours & Leadership Expectations
- Think strategically while remaining focused on operational delivery.
- Build effective relationships across organisational boundaries.
- Be commercially aware and focused on value.
- Challenge existing ways of working.
- Simplify complex arrangements.
- Use data to drive decisions.
- Take ownership and provide clear leadership.
- Anticipate problems rather than react to them.
- Promote collaboration between central and regional teams.
- Have the confidence to challenge suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Be proactive, organised and delivery-focused.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, engineering integrity and operational reliability.
What we offer
- Market-leading double-match pension (up to 12% company contribution)
- Annual performance bonus up to 6%
- Access to the Tusker salary sacrifice car scheme
- 26 days holiday (plus statutory holidays)
- 10x salary life assurance and income protection
- Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and technology options
- Family-friendly policies, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities
Security clearance
This role is subject to National Security Vetting (NSV). Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC) throughout their employment. For further information, visit GOV.UK (UK Security Vetting: Clearance Levels). #LI-CW1
Inclusive recruitment
We're building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, championing diversity, and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.
National Gas is a Disability Confident employer and signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. #L