Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Senior Subcontracts Specialist – IT will manage subcontract and commercial activities relating to IT and digital services across the business. This includes supporting the sourcing, tendering, negotiation, execution and ongoing management of agreements covering software, SaaS, cloud services, telecommunications, hardware support, cyber security, managed services and other technology-related services.
The role will work closely with IT, Information Security, Legal, Data Privacy, Finance, Commercial and other business stakeholders to ensure contracts are commercially robust, compliant with internal governance requirements and aligned with operational and technology needs.
The Senior Subcontract Specialist will also support the development and maintenance of standard IT contract templates, provide contractual guidance on technology-related procurement activities, and help manage contractual risk associated with third-party IT suppliers.
Develop and implement subcontracting and commercial strategies for IT and digital categories.
Prepare, issue and manage ITT / RFP / RFQ packages for technology-related goods and services.
Manage tender clarification processes, commercial evaluations and recommendations to award.
Draft, review, negotiate and administer IT-related contracts, including software licence agreements, SaaS agreements, cloud services agreements, support and maintenance contracts, statements of work, consultancy agreements, telecoms agreements and managed service contracts.
Work with IT, cyber security, legal, privacy and compliance stakeholders to ensure appropriate contractual protections are included, including data protection, confidentiality, cyber security, service levels, business continuity, audit rights, intellectual property and exit/transition provisions.
Maintain contract records, amendments, variations and change control documentation.
Prepare approval and governance documentation in support of sourcing events, contract awards and contractual deviations.
Negotiate commercial and contractual terms with suppliers in line with company policy and delegated authority requirements.
Support stakeholders in the interpretation of contractual rights, obligations, service levels and remedies.
Develop and maintain standard IT contracting templates and playbooks.
Support management of supplier performance, including KPI / SLA review mechanisms and governance frameworks.
Assist in the resolution of contractual disputes, service issues, claims and commercial escalations with IT suppliers.
Support renewal planning, transition/exit arrangements and risk mitigation for critical IT contracts.
Ensure compliance with internal processes, information security requirements, applicable laws and regulatory obligations relevant to IT contracting.
Degree in Law, Business, Supply Chain, Procurement or a related discipline preferred.
Strong knowledge of commercial contracting principles and experience drafting and negotiating IT-related agreements is essential.
Familiarity with contracts such as software licence agreements, SaaS agreements, cloud service agreements, managed service agreements, maintenance/support agreements, consultancy agreements, statements of work, confidentiality agreements and data processing agreements is essential.
Understanding of key IT contractual risk areas, including data protection, cyber security, service levels, business continuity, audit rights, intellectual property, limitation of liability and termination/exit provisions.
Knowledge of contract governance, approval processes and supplier performance management practices.
Strong contract drafting, negotiation and commercial evaluation skills.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent sourcing and contracting activities.
Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across IT, legal, cyber security, privacy, finance and operational teams.
Ability to identify, assess and communicate contractual and commercial risks clearly.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage contract documentation and governance requirements.
Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders and suppliers at different levels.
Ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Considerable experience in a senior contracts, subcontracts or procurement role, with specific experience in negotiating and managing IT and digital services contracts.
Experience of sourcing and contracting for software, SaaS, cloud services, managed services, telecoms, hardware support, cyber security or related technology categories is strongly preferred.
