Strategic Commercial Contract Negotiator

Virgin Media Business Ireland
Strategic Commercial Contract Negotiator page is loaded Strategic Commercial Contract Negotiator Apply locations London time type Full time posted on Posted 30+ Days Ago job requisition id REQ_ Believ: ABOUT US

At Believ, formerly known as Liberty Charge, we believe sustainable transport should be accessible to everyone. We’re a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UK’s most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesn’t cost the earth and leaves no one behind.

We work closely with local authorities and businesses to deliver reliable, high quality charging networks at pace, at scale and at zero cost.

We offer all the advantages of being a scale-up business, but with the added security and long-term backing from well-known parents – Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner, Virgin Media O2) and Zouk Capital (who manage the Government’s Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).

You’ll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scale-up phase, and work with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. You’ll become part of a passionate and supportive team in a fast-paced, dynamic and result-driven environment.

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled Strategic Commercial Contract Negotiator to lead the negotiation and closure of complex contracts with UK Local Authorities for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects. The role takes ownership of post-award negotiations and long-term strategic agreements.

This role is critical to driving strategic partnerships, securing long-term agreements, and ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes that align with our business objectives and public sector requirements.

Client flexibility in contract negotiations varies based on procurement type and funding models. This role requires a pragmatic yet commercially assertive approach, balancing business objectives with client requirements to secure optimal contractual outcomes.

This is not a legal role, but a thorough understanding of the legal implications of contracts is essential to deliver a balanced contract review.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead contract negotiations post-award with UK Local Authorities and similar Public Sector organisations, ensuring agreements align with commercial, regulatory, and strategic business objectives including property interest agreements (leases/licenses).
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies that maximise commercial value while meeting public sector procurement and funding requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with legal, finance, operations, and technical teams to structure contracts that mitigate risks and ensure project feasibility.
• Drive the end-to-end contracting process, from initial post-award discussions through to contract execution, ensuring timely closure of deals.
• Ensure compliance with UK public sector procurement regulations, contract law, Local Authority procurement frameworks, funding models and industry best practices.
• Identify and manage risks related to contractual obligations, Key Performance Indicators, Service Level Agreements, and financial commitments.

• Maintain comprehensive records of all contract negotiations to ensure transparency and accuracy including approval chains.
• Develop and maintain a standardised framework for identifying, assessing, and managing contract-related risks, including contributing to the bid library.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and ensure the team is up to date on new legislation, market trends, and industry standards.
• Suggest improvements to contract templates, processes, and procedures to enhance efficiency and mitigate risks.
• Stay informed on industry trends, relevant legislation and market conditions to proactively advise on potential contract-related opportunities or threats.
• Ensure any modifications to contracts due to disputes are properly documented and aligned with business objectives.
• Provide occasional guidance and support in the negotiation of contract renewals in collaboration with Account Managers.

About you

At Believ, we are building a culture that attracts and retains the best talent. We are a dedicated and high-performing team, accustomed to working at pace in an ever-evolving industry, and we are looking for people who are as passionate as us about cutting carbon emissions and providing cleaner air for all. The successful candidate will have the following attributes and skills:

Desirable Qualifications / Experience

• A degree in law, business, or a related field is preferred but not essential.
• Knowledge of contract law, public contract regulatory requirements, and industry-specific legal considerations.
• A background in commercial law or contract negotiation / management.
• Experience of reviewing commercial and property contracts and identifying risks across a range of commercial and legal matters.
• Familiarity with working with Government funding schemes and public procurement would be beneficial.
• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder contract negotiations, ideally in public sector procurement or infrastructure projects, with a track record of closing high-value deals over extended timeframes (6-12 months)
• Strong internal & external stakeholder management, dispute resolution and decision making skills are key competencies required.
• Knowledge of the wider EV industry would be beneficial but not essential.

Skills

• Sees the bigger picture but can also drill down on details; can complete discrete tasks whilst maintaining an overview of various moving parts.
• Ability to assess complex contract terms and identify inconsistencies, potential risks and opportunities.
• Capable of interpreting legal jargon and translating it into business-friendly language to make informed decisions.
• Strong persuasion and negotiation skills to achieve favorable outcomes while maintaining positive relationships with clients, partners, and vendors.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and stay focused on securing the best terms for the organization.
• Deep understanding of business operations, financial implications of contract terms, and how contracts contribute to business success.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate contract terms, explain complex concepts, and influence stakeholders.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly, and a hands-on approach is essential.
• Strong sense of ethics and professional integrity, ensuring that contracts are negotiated fairly and comply with legal and company standards.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, especially legal, finance, and business development, to achieve mutually beneficial contract terms.
• Team-oriented with a strong sense of responsibility and ownership in contract negotiations.
• Familiarity with framework and contract templates, terms, and standard clauses used across the EV industry.
• Ability to identify, assess, and manage commercial, legal, and operational risks in contracts.
• Strong organisational and time management skills to handle multiple contracts simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to deadlines.
• Ability to prepare and deliver clear and comprehensive reports, executive summaries, and presentations for senior leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus the usual 8 UK Bank Holidays and the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year
• Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical insurance, critical illness cover, dental, optical & travel insurance, income protection and life assurance
• Pension contribution matched up to 10%
• Access to our car benefit scheme and cycle to work scheme
• Access to our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us.
• 24 hours a year Volunteer Time Off to support causes that are important to you
• Virgin Media / O2 discounts and offers
• Access to VIP Arena Suites at the O2 Arena (London) and First Direct Arena (Leeds)
• Enhanced parental leave policies

Location

The business is currently based in our office in Southwark. The position is full time, hybrid with 3 days (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) based in the office. Believ is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

About Us Our Story

We’re building Tomorrow’s Connections Today, bringing people together through the power of our technology.

Liberty Global is a world leader in converged broadband, video and mobile communications and an active investor in cutting-edge infrastructure, content and technology ventures.

With our investments in fibre-based and 5G networks we play a vital role in society, currently providing over 85 million fixed and mobile connections and rolling out the next generation of products and services, while readying our networks for 10 Gbps and beyond.

We’re creating national champions . click apply for full job details