Strategic Commercial Contract Negotiator

Believ: ABOUT US

At Believ formerly known as Liberty Charge we believe sustainable transport should be accessible to everyone. Were a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UKs most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesnt 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 scaleup business but with the added security and longterm backing from wellknown parents Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner Virgin Media O2 and Zouk Capital (who manage the Governments Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).

Youll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scaleup phase and work with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. Youll become part of a passionate and supportive team in a fastpaced dynamic and resultdriven 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 postaward negotiations and longterm strategic agreements.

This role is critical to driving strategic partnerships securing longterm 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 postaward 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 crossfunctionally with legal finance operations and technical teams to structure contracts that mitigate risks and ensure project feasibility.
• Drive the endtoend contracting process from initial postaward discussions through to contract 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 contractrelated 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 contractrelated 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 highperforming team accustomed to working at pace in an everevolving 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 industryspecific 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 multistakeholder contract negotiations ideally in public sector procurement or infrastructure projects with a track record of closing highvalue deals over extended timeframes 612 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 businessfriendly 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 fastpaced environment where priorities can shift quickly and a handson 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 crossfunctional teams especially legal finance and business development to achieve mutually beneficial contract terms.
• Teamoriented 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.