Contracts and Proposals Manager – Hydrogen Capability Network

The Contracts and Proposals Manager will join the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) team, which is at the heart of the ATI’s efforts to decarbonise flight.

Reports to:

Nour Eid

Salary:

On application

Location

London (hybrid working)

Company overview

The Aerospace Technology Institute sits at the centre of UK aerospace research and technology. It is responsible for the UK’s Aerospace Technology Strategy and development of a national R&T investment presently worth over £4 billion through to 2031. It is a truly game-changing initiative, whose objective is to reduce aviation’s environmental impact through providing thought leadership on all aspects on the future of flight and through funding research projects that secure jobs, maintain skills and deliver economic benefits across the UK.

The importance of aerospace to the UK cannot be overstated. The UK is Europe’s number one aerospace manufacturer, second globally only to the United States. The industry is a major driver of economic prosperity through leading edge technology, high-wage jobs and high-value exports. The industry is resilient and growing at over 4.5% each year. These reasons are the basis for government investment and a coordinated effort to position the UK for success.

A small and young company charged with a big responsibility, the ATI encourages free thinking and innovation. We need individuals with drive, passion, ability to adapt and work flexibly, and who share our ambitions for the sector and UK. Our team is collaborative, open, respectful, positive and supportive.

Mission statement

Transforming aerospace through technology and innovation.

Diversity & inclusion

We are experts in our field, trusted to be impartial in our activities, and present a fair and independent view. We are passionate about innovation and technology and understand the rewards of bringing together a diverse and forward-thinking team to explore, enhance and shape our aerospace agenda. We are committed to equality in everything we do. We are proud to lead by example, demonstrating independent leadership and collaborating for success in all aspects of our work.

The opportunity

Position Title:                Contracts and Proposals Manager

Job Type:                         Fixed-Term Contract (to end March 2025) or open to secondment opportunities.

Location:                         London (hybrid working)

Travel:                              As required

Reporting to:                  Head of Strategy & Commercial

The Hydrogen Capability Network programme

The Contracts and Proposals Manager will join the ATI’s Hydrogen Capability Network (HCN) team, which is at the heart of the ATI’s efforts to decarbonise flight. Phase 1 of the HCN is a 12-month project which runs from April 2024 to March 2025. Phase 1 follows a successful Phase 0 project and will continue to develop the objectives of the HCN and will focus on the following objectives:

  • Developing a long-term strategy and business case for the future of the HCN, including future operating and funding models.
  • Mobilisation and delivery of a two-year capital infrastructure programme to develop a medium scale liquid hydrogen test hub.
  • Mobilisation and delivery of a four-year strategic research programme on Cryogenic Hydrogen Materials Testing Standards (CHyMES) for future aircraft design.
  • Securing funding and delivery of a skills pilots for liquid hydrogen in aerospace. To lead to a future skills strategy and programme.
  • Developing a strategy for enabling the next 10 years of liquid hydrogen test and demonstration to make future hydrogen aircraft a reality.
  • Working in collaboration with industry and academia to scope strategic research projects and a challenge led approach to future research.
  • Engagement and collaboration across the entire aerospace sector on this emerging capability to gain insights, gather requirements and disseminate knowledge and develop strategic partnerships.

Phase 1 of the programme will run from April 2024 to March 2025, during which the HCN will submit a proposal into government to secure long-term funding for the sector for LH2.

The key outputs from Phase 1 include:

  • Development of a business Case for subsequent phases of the HCN
  • Developing a strategy for next phase of test infrastructure
  • The design of a LH2 research programme
  • The design of a sector skills programme
  • Securing LH2 supply for test hubs and materials test programme
  • Continued sector engagement and collaboration

The role

The Contracts & Proposal Manager will work closely with the Head of Strategy & Commercial and Programme Director to manage and oversee tendering activity and contractual agreements for external workpackages for Phase 1 of the programme. They will also be responsible for working with others in the team to ensure that external projects are appropriately monitored for delivery of scope of works. They will also provide support to coordinating inputs to proposals for future HCN projects as well as the overarching business case into HMG for the future of the HCN Programme.

Responsibilities will include:

Procurement & contracts

  • Management of external work package procurement and contracting processes
  • Drafting requests for proposals, requests for quotes, supplier agreements, raising purchase orders
  • Oversight of delivery of external projects with workstream leads to ensure they are delivered to time, cost, scope and quality.
  • Where required, supporting the development of contractual agreements for HCN Phase 1 delivery projects. Developing framework agreements for future strategic delivery partner relationships.
  • Liaising with the ATI finance team and Chief Operating Officer on external service procurement and delivery
  • Liaising with ATI’s legal counsel to support drafting of contracts
  • Supporting the Head of Strategy & Commercial with
    • Analysing the requirement for a future LH2 pricing strategy and requirement for government intervention
    • Procurement and contractual considerations for the future HCN operating model

Proposal & business case development

  • Coordinating input across the HCN team to develop proposals for future HCN projects and government funding requests.
  • Authoring content for proposals and the main business case to get to consistent formats, tone of voice and to meet HCN vision and objectives. 

The candidate

The candidate will be passionate about the decarbonisation of flight and driving change within the aerospace sector. They will have strong commercial experience within aerospace or related industries.

Background and experience

  • Graduate level qualification or equivalent experience and training in relevant disciplines.
  • Experience of leading competitive tendering processes.
  • Experience of drafting and negotiating contract terms/ commercial agreements, ideally within aerospace or related industries.
  • An understanding of different forms of commercial and legal agreements for different types of delivery partnerships (Framework agreements/ Heads of Terms etc)
  • An understanding of government contracts and the intricacies of grant funding.
  • Experience in developing contractual arrangements – assessing risks, costs and speed of delivery
  • Experience in writing proposals and strategic business cases and coordinating technical inputs from other authors.
  • An understanding government procurement process and spending reviews.

Skills and knowledge

  • Strong relationship and influencing skills.
  • Ability to liaise with stakeholders and translate complex requirements into clear specifications.
  • Familiarity with finance/ cost models.
  • Able to write in a clear and compelling manner in a variety of forms (e.g. white papers, presentations, commercial agreements).
  • Business development and proposal development skills.

As an individual

  • Self-starter with great energy and drive to deliver.
  • Strong communicator who comes across with conviction and credibility and is able to engage at various levels.
  • Natural collaborator with strong work ethic and team spirit with the ability to take the leadership, strategic and implementation aspects of the role in his/her stride.
  • Comfortable working in ambiguous situations, energetic and flexible to pick up and lead work in areas on the periphery of their core responsibilities to “get the job done”.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

ATI benefits

  • Competitive salary
  • Attractive pension scheme
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Discretionary bonus scheme
  • Life Assurance
  • Professional development training
  • Paid membership to one professional body per year
  • Hybrid working, including core hours
  • 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional Christmas leave
  • Company Maternity & Paternity Pay
  • 30 days Company Sick Pay

Assignment process and timeline

Short-listed applicants will go through a two-stage interview process with the ATI.

Applications should be made by submitting a CV and covering letter by 1st May 2024. Please submit your application on our recruitment partner’s site here.