Senior Contract Manager

Building a strong Commercial Function in Government, and with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of Civil Service reform.

We are building a cadre of commercial talent in all Government departments; people who can manage our commercial portfolios, who can lead our most complex and novel programmes and projects, people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside our policy and operational leaders to develop innovative commercial arrangements, whether through joint ventures, outsourcing or best-in-class contracts.

The Government Commercial Organisation is an employer which is truly committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and are able to perform to their potential. We understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and strive for a workplace that reflects the communities which we serve. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with a disability and candidates with gender-diverse identities. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We have already made significant progress through the establishment of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but based in our MOJ commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

Property Portfolio 

These posts are within the Commercial Property Portfolio, which is there to support the MoJ and its agencies in providing suitable, safe, secure and sustainable buildings incurring a spend over £250m per annum on outsourced Facilities Management (FM) contracts to a wide range of service providers. It is not uncommon for individual contract spend to be over £50m per annum and include a wide range of complex and innovative contractual mechanisms. We also generally spend between £150-200m each financial year on a range of projects from major refurbishments and security upgrades, to lift and boiler replacements and £180m on energy and sustainability. 

The Commercial Property Portfolio is part of the larger Ministry of Justice Commercial and Contract Management Directorate, which employs over 400 commercial professionals (including those through Government Commercial Organisation). 

Role Summary:

The role covers commercial management of FM services and works at all stages of the contracting cycle, across a large and diverse portfolio, often undertaken in challenging operational environments e.g. prisons. 

This role will involve the opportunity to lead individuals or a small team of other commercial professionals. You will develop and maintain positive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders and encourage collaborative relationships as appropriate. Your professional expertise and judgement will be relied upon and valued by senior colleagues. 

Nb: internally this role will be classed as a Senior Commercial Manager role and advertised as Senior Contract Manager for external advert purposes.

• Contract administration of a range of FM contracts, including developing and managing variations/change control and other contract mechanisms. 

• Managing the pay and performance mechanism, including validation of contractor performance and verification of payment applications. 

• Analysis and resolution of contractual issues – making effective decisions, risk mitigation and driving continuous improvement of processes.

• Provide commercial advice and support to colleagues. Addressing and resolving commercial issues and risks. 

• Comply with all Departmental controls relating to commercial practice and otherwise, including strict adherence to their delegated authorities, governance, legislation, and policy as appropriate.

• Use electronic management systems appropriately to ensure all commercial decisions are evidenced.

• Collaboration with key stakeholders including MoJ Property, HMCST Property, suppliers, and commercial colleagues across the department and GCO.

• Proactively work with service providers to develop innovative commercial solutions and value-added proposals.

• Support the re-procurement of the FM contracts by providing advice to the Property Transformation Programme (PTP).

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Manages Complexity – The post holder should be used to balancing the conflicting demands of multiple projects and tasks – knowing how to prioritise and ensure each task is treated appropriately
• Commercial Focus – Worked on complex commercial projects involving novel and non-standard commercial & contractual mechanisms, with the ability to identify improvements that deliver greater commercial outcomes
• Builds Relationships – Evidence of developing and managing effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels in a complex and strategic commercial environment, through effective communication, gravitas and personal impact
• Coaching Manager – The post holder should be an effective communicator both orally and in writing and should be a caring and empathetic manager. They should lead by example, listen to others but also be confident delegating to their team
• Contract and Supply Management – Evidence of leading on contracts of high value/complexity/reputational risk, ensuring security of supply throughout & demonstrating a focus in managing costs and driving the best value out of contracts

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

For existing Civil Servants:  For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack.  Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers. 

Job contact :

• Name : Lynsey Munro
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk