JL: 2

Location: Bracknell

Reporting to: Steve Stringer, International Business Manager

Originally formed as Metstar International in 1996, the unit is now a part of International branch but retains responsibility to licence the Met Office's software, designs and IPR, and to profitably sell our know-how throughout the world. The main customers are other national Met/Hydro Services. Potential rewards are great, as the Thailand contract proved. Future development of this diversifying market will require the increasing use of third parties and strategic teaming agreements to increase business. The complete sales process is covered from initial contact, preparation of bids to the running of projects. Much of the work requires a good knowledge of existing Met Office systems and an understanding of how these may be utilised by a variety of potential customers, ranging from military, aviation, national Met Services, etc.

The post has a number of responsibilities: -

• Manage the unit's programme of contracts won and ensure that the projects yield the agreed deliverables on time and within budget. This includes management of the unit’s project manager(s) and technical support staff, of the overall programme budget and the provision of monthly reports.
• Support the International sales team to achieve the revenue targets for the financial year by providing technical and sales support to any customer queries and leading the technical aspects of all bids.
• Advise the International Business manager on strategy relating to future developments in software and systems. Ensuring up to date knowledge of Met Office policy, customer needs and strategic themes.
• Technical leadership for the installation and demonstration of systems at national and international locations.
• Management of the service provision agreements that the unit has with supplier divisions. Ensuring work requests are made according to procedure; that the unit receives the required resourcing.
• Provide and manage existing customer Service contracts including customer representation at appropriate fora.

The candidate will need to have a good background in operational forecasting as well experience in using, and a good knowledge of, at least one of the Met Office's operational systems, ideally Horace. A working knowledge of installing/integrating systems it into another national meteorological service/organisation would be a real advantage. A proven track record in project management and a willingness to take on responsibility are essential. Candidates must be highly organised and be familiar with, and comfortable in, the Sales and Marketing environment. He/she will be self-motivated, a good communicator, effective as a team player with a very good knowledge of current forecasting techniques, particularly in other organisations. It is important that the candidate be flexible and able to pick up tasks at fairly short notice as well as work under pressure to deadlines. Experience of competitive bidding would be an advantage. Knowledge of Unix, NT and Linux would be a definite advantage, although training can be supplied if necessary to fully meet the requirements of the post. There will be requirements for foreign travel, and the nature of the job is that these may be at short notice. Candidates must be prepared to travel abroad.