Director, Programme Development and Contracts

Focus of the Role

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. 

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. 

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Job Introduction

The Director, Programme Development & Contracts is a critical role to shaping the institute’s strategic and operational approach to managing proposals and contracts to funders and clients. They will build and provide leadership to a global facing team, delivering the highest quality processes to enable revenue generation and funder retention.

The core aspects of this role include setting up/updating and running proposal development and management frameworks to embed best practice approaches across the institute including budget development. The role holder will have oversight of the onboarding and managing of contracts, grants and other awards as well as oversight of the institute’s compliance to funder requirements, negotiation processes and enabling renewal engagements as well as project close-out. They’ll build and manage relationships with sub-contractors, prime bidders and maintain a database of engagements.  

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial problem solver who thrives on fast-paced start-up-like operations but has advanced knowledge of best practice structures. The candidate will enjoy building and synthesizing solutions, and is an experienced and adaptable relationship manager with a track-record in project management and attention to detail. This role will hold delegated signatory authority for proposals and awards, whilst embedding a framework of approval levels. Key accountabilities will include managing a positive win-rate trajectory, positive contract renewals and best in class contract management structures.

This role sits  within the Business Development & Income Division of TBI, part of the wider Strategy & Partnerships group (S&P). S & P is one of 3 external facing business critical departments, the other two being: Policy & Politics, and Global Government Advisory. The S&P department leads and oversee the Institute’s strategic direction and growth, with specific responsibility for futureproofing growth, developing scalable partnerships, innovating in tech and securing financial resources to measurably advance the Institute’s operational goals and drive sustainable impact. This is both a rewarding and positively challenging high-profile post in the organisation, with direct working relationship with other senior leaders. The role reports to the Executive Director, Global Business Development & Income and has people and budgetary responsibility. As part of the wider team of Directors, this role will play a critical role in delivering the institute’s ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but are not limited to:

• Maintain oversight for all aspects of the pipeline regarding proposals and awards
• Hold accountability of win-rate metrics, ensuring it is in line with team objectives
• Embed best practice on proposal development and award management, own QA approaches
• Building a high performing proposals and awards team including collaborators across the Institute to support best in class delivery
• Directly and through others, lead all proposals working with key counterparts across Advisory, Politics & Policy and Institute Operations (IO) teams to delivery costed and risk assessed proposals
• Ensure the production of high quality and timely reports that accurately reflect the impact achieved and lessons learnt during the implementation of an award.
• Work with other teams on strategic planning across the Institute to support resource planning and management for grant/contract funded work including staffing capacity requirements
• Lead negotiation processes with clients and partners in close collaboration with programme teams
• Lead initiatives across the institute to support best practice including compliance education
• Work with others to ensure all safeguards are deployed to protect the Institute including coordination, completion of DD processes, go/no-go decisions, proposal development plans agreed
• Directly and through the PD&C team, deliver proposal and contract management structures including regular award management meetings, proposal meetings, close-out, etc.
• Lead partner engagement across prime/sub relationships including assessment and compliance
• Use strong financial skills to oversee the award management portfolio
• Work with others in the Operations team to undertake regular analysis and reviews of the proposal pipeline and awards portfolio
• Deputising for ED, BD&I as needed: for internal and external projects and audiences

Key internal relationships: ED BD&I and division leaders; EVP S&P, ED, Global Client Solutions, MDs Global Advisory, EDs Policy, IR Leadership.

Person Specification

This post would be a fit for a senior leader looking to extend their expertise across a wider portfolio who has these skills and experience:

• Extensive experience as a lead for high value funders
• A track record of high level relationship management and working with contracts.
• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree or equivalent practical experience
• Significant experience leading and inspiring teams in high quality/high value proposals development and awards management including standing up systems to support this work
• Demonstrable success in technical and people leadership to secure large scale contracts
• Strong numeracy skills including advanced knowledge of budget development
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a demanding workload comprised of diverse and challenging tasks and responsibilities
• Knowledge of the requirements of major bilateral and multilateral donors (USAID, FCDO, EU, NORAD, etc) including budgeting, eligibility, compliance, reporting and work at a strategic level
• Seasoned  skills in people management including coaching and capacity building
• Advanced understanding of financial aspects of award management, operations and programming including managing burn rate targets
• With outstanding influencing skills and the proven ability to deliver absent of ‘command and control’ models, in a highly matrixed organisation
• Patient, adaptable, able to improvise, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure
• Demonstrate leadership and management skills in a complex international setting
• Keenly interested in the work of TBI and share in our mission and values

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