Procurement Contract Manager

ABOUT US The Financial Times is one of the world's leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT. OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups. THE ROLE We're looking for a Technology Supplier & Contract Manager to join our Product & Technology organisation, reporting to the Project Portfolio Management Director. In this role, you'll be responsible for the operational management, governance and commercial oversight of our strategic technology suppliers. You'll ensure our technology partners consistently deliver against contractual commitments, service levels and business objectives while driving value throughout the supplier lifecycle. Working closely with colleagues across Product & Technology, Procurement, Finance, Legal, Security and our supplier partners, you'll strengthen supplier relationships, improve governance, manage risk and identify opportunities to optimise commercial performance across software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure and managed service providers. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Manage the day-to-day operational performance of strategic technology suppliers and service providers. * Develop and maintain supplier governance frameworks, performance scorecards and service review processes. * Build strong supplier relationships while holding vendors accountable for contractual commitments, KPIs and SLAs. * Drive continuous service improvement through structured performance reviews and improvement plans. * Identify and mitigate operational, commercial, security and compliance risks across the supplier portfolio. * Manage the operational lifecycle of technology contracts, including onboarding, renewals, extensions and supplier exits. * Maintain oversight of contract renewal dates, commercial obligations and key contractual milestones. * Partner with Procurement and Legal on supplier renewals, contract negotiations and new supplier engagements. * Identify opportunities to optimise technology spend, licensing models and commercial value. * Support budgeting, forecasting and financial governance for third-party technology expenditure. * Produce regular reporting on supplier performance, contractual status, risks and financial exposure. * Facilitate governance forums with internal stakeholders and strategic suppliers. * Support audit, regulatory and third-party risk management activities. * Continuously improve supplier management processes, controls and governance standards. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE * Proven experience managing technology suppliers, vendor relationships or IT service providers within a complex organisation. * Strong understanding of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and post-contract supplier governance. * Experience managing enterprise technology suppliers across SaaS, cloud platforms, infrastructure, software licensing and managed services. * Sound knowledge of contract governance, service level agreements (SLAs), KPIs, service credits and supplier performance frameworks. * Ability to interpret commercial contracts and translate contractual obligations into effective supplier management practices. * Commercial awareness with experience managing supplier costs, renewals and value optimisation initiatives. * Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across technical and business functions. * Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with confidence to challenge suppliers constructively. * Excellent analytical and organisational skills, including experience producing governance reporting and managing supplier risks. * Experience managing multiple suppliers and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. DESIRABLE * Experience working within a digital product or technology-led organisation. * Knowledge of IT procurement and contract governance processes. * Experience supporting third-party risk management activities. * Familiarity with technology investment business cases and commercial assessments. * Knowledge of software licensing models and vendor commercial practices. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here: https://aboutus.ft.com/careers/benefits. We've embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible. ACCESSIBILITY We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help. FURTHER INFORMATION At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com. Interested in the FT but don't see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.

Beamy is on the verge of a transformative leap, gearing up for its Series B funding. In this exciting phase of rapid expansion, we are seeking a hands-on Contract Manager to join our dynamic team. This role is not just about providing legal advice; it's about being a game-changer in how we navigate the complexities of the tech industry when it comes to Enterprise-level deals. You will be at the heart of enhancing our sales process, laying the legal foundational stones for Beamy's future.   You will have the unparalleled opportunity to build our Business Legal Process from the ground up. Your expertise will be pivotal in streamlining our operations, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding our innovative edge. Working closely with our Sales Teams and our CEO, you will play a critical role in Beamy's growth strategy, helping to shape the legal landscape in which we operate.   🎬 A snapshot of what you will be doing here:   Contract Negotiation : - Play an indispensable role in supporting our Sales teams by crafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide array of agreements and contracts with diverse stakeholders from multinational companies (CAC 40 / Global 2000). - Streamline sales process thanks to your project management capabilities. - Unlock new business opportunities and safeguard our interests.   Stakeholder coordination: - Assume leadership in managing relationships with external legal advisors and conduct negotiations with third parties including partners and regulators. - Influence internal stakeholders on the best position that Beamy should adopt on different legal matters.   Risk Management and Compliance: - Your strategic oversight will streamline operations and mitigate contractual and compliance risks. - Take a leadership position in our ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance frameworks, as well as our ESG strategy.   Internal Contracts Management - Take ownership of all internal contract management supported by the expertise of our external advisors. - Internal Contract subjects - Procurement Contracts - Employee Contracts - Advisor Contracts   🕵 We are looking for individuals who have:   Diverse Legal Expertise: - At least 4 years of professional legal experience, ideally within a Technology company or in the IT Procurement Department of a multinational company. - Strong understanding of legal, financial, and operational issues that could arise from different contractual clauses.   Specialized Knowledge in Tech Law: Working knowledge of: - Contract Management - Software licensing, SaaS solutions - Data Processing Agreements (DPA) - GDPR - Intellectual Property - Partner Agreements - NDAs/Confidentiality Agreements   Partnership with Sales Teams: - Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong cross-functional mindset and posture. - Proven experience in working alongside Sales Teams to facilitate deal closures. - Excellent organisational skills : Able to multi-task, respect deadlines and drive all internal and external stakeholders towards a timely deal closing.   Contractual Mastery: - Proficiency in reviewing and negotiating a wide range of contracts. - Strong analytical, negotiation, and summarization skills.   Language Proficiency: Fluency in French (C2) and full proficiency in English (C1).   ❤️ What We Offer: Compensation: 50K to 70K + stock options 💰   Culture of Transparency: We're an open book when it comes to salaries and the company's financial health, offering clear paths for career progression, all within a positive and empowering atmosphere with high levels of personal ownership.   Impactful Role: Secure a pivotal spot in our team, playing a crucial part in Beamy's rapid growth and global expansion.   Flexible Remote Working: Embrace a hybrid remote work model rooted in complete trust.   Top-Tier Benefits: Enjoy the finest health insurance and meal vouchers (Alan & Swile), alongside 5 weeks of vacation plus additional time off (RTT).   ⏳ Hiring Process: We're keen to learn more about you! Please share your professional background (this could be your resume or LinkedIn profile) along with a brief message explaining why you believe we're the perfect match for each other and what you envision for your future at Beamy.   Rest assured, we'll thoroughly review your application and will definitely get in touch. Looking forward to connecting with you! 🙃   Here's what you can expect next: - A 30-minute introductory call. - A case study to showcase your skills. - A Culture Fit Interview to ensure our values align. - An on-site visit to experience our work environment firsthand over lunch.