Nest is the National Employment Savings Trust. It was set up by the government to give every worker in the UK somewhere to save for retirement. We’ve since grown to become one of the UK’s largest schemes.

Your new team

Nest Insight is a collaborative research and innovation think tank. We’re working to understand the challenges people face in saving for their later lives, and to develop and test solutions to those challenges. Although we sit within Nest and draw learnings from the rich set of data Nest is building, we also work across the industry with other providers, from pensions, banking, fintech and beyond. We share all our work widely to influence industry and policy makers in the UK and internationally.

We do this through an ambitious programme of research, trials, events and publications, delivered in partnership with academics, think tanks, government and the industry. Nest Insight has quickly become a leading and respected voice in the sector.  

Nest insight is a business unit of Nest Corporation, but we are responsible for raising our own operating budget through grants and sponsorship. We have a team of 11 working across research, communications and partnerships. This is an exciting time to join Nest Insight – we’re growing quickly with lots of exciting projects in the pipeline and plans to expand our reach significantly over the next three years.

Your new role

We are now looking for a dedicated Contracts Manager to join our small, dynamic team, to manage all our contracts from initiation through negotiation, agreement and ongoing review. Given the growth in the range and scale of our collaborative projects, we are currently reviewing and standardising our approach to contracts with funders, collaborators and suppliers.

Reporting to the Director of Analysis and Governance, the Manager will take the lead on all Nest Insight’s contractual negotiations, taking responsibility for a swift and effective resolution of contractual issues and working to ensure that Nest’s interests are protected, and our risks managed.

The Manager will help shape new, robust and consistent contract processes. They will be accountable for ensuring contracts are drawn up in a timely and professional manner, with all key risks identified and managed. In addition, they will take responsibility for tracking and reporting on budgets for some contracts, as required by the project teams.

You

You will be comfortable working on complex contracts as well as having an ability to communicate effectively, liaising with stakeholders on contract management processes and issues.

Ideally, you have experience within higher education, charities or think tanks, and a strong understanding of UK Public Contracts Regulations.

You will have a commitment to team working, diversity and inclusion, exceptional written and verbal communication skills and be passionate about improving financial wellbeing and longer-term financial security for people on low to mid incomes.

What you’ll need to succeed

This is a rewarding role for someone seeking to develop a career in commercial management within the research sector. The Contracts Manager will deal directly with the commercial teams at universities in the UK and abroad, public bodies, commercial sponsors and charitable foundations. They will be able to build their knowledge and understanding of best practices and key risks in funded research and big data analysis.

Nest Insight is a relatively small team given the scope and scale of its research and publications programmes. Working as a key member of the team will offer a dynamic, supportive and rewarding experience for a candidate who’s prepared to act with autonomy and confidence while tackling a range of new challenges.

By helping Nest Insight fund and deliver its research programme, the Contracts Manager will be helping make a difference to millions of low- and moderate-income savers and contributing to a programme with a strong reputation and high profile across the public policy community and the pensions industry.

What you’ll get in return

This is a permanent role with a salary up to £48,000 plus Benefits.

This role can be offered on a flexible basis and we will consider job share, part time or full-time basis. We are open to different level of applicants in terms of knowledge and skillset.

Please state your preference on the application if you wish to be considered for part time or condensed working hours.

Everyone wants a good work life balance and you will be working with a truly flexible employer, fully embracing a working from home culture and flexible working hours.

You will have your birthday and Christmas Eve as an additional bonus to the already fantastic holiday allowance and of course…a generous pension contribution.

What you need to do now

Please complete your application on our website.  Please note that you must attach a Cover Letter explaining why you would be a good match for this role.

Please note that due to a high volume of applicants we will only be able to contact successful applicants.

Application closing date is Thursday 25^th March

Nest is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all the nine protected characteristics.

As a Disability Confident Committed, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

To best serve our diverse customer base, it’s important that Nest has an equally diverse workforce and promotes an inclusive culture. This is in line with the organisation’s values and ensures that Nest is a corporation fit for the future.

Please note that we can onboard and work remotely successfully during this period at Nest.

Please note that this is a London based role.