Senior Strategic Relationship 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.

Construction Portfolio 

The MoJ has one of the largest and most complex estates within Central Government including 121 prisons and over 350 courts and tribunal buildings. The Construction Commercial team provides all specialist commercial activity to support all construction related activity across the MoJ Estate and associated Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) including His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS).  

Role Summary:

This role is an excellent opportunity for a committed, experienced and self-motivated commercial leader to support the delivery of the MoJ’s construction portfolio. 

You will be supporting the delivery of multi £bn capital construction programmes including the 20,000-place prison expansion programme along with the MoJ capital maintenance programme.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivery of all aspects of the strategic supplier relationship management. 

Reporting to the Head of Strategy within the Commercial Construction Team the successful candidate will develop, implement and lead strategic supplier relationship management (SSRM) and market engagement programmes across the MoJ construction portfolio. Supporting the wider commercial construction team through all stages of the commercial lifecycle of construction projects. 

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and nurture strong working relationships with tier 1 contractors and key internal stakeholders providing a platform for open frank collaborative working relationships.

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

• Developing, delivering, and maintaining a SSRM process across key construction suppliers including Professional Services Providers, Construction Contractors and Key supply chain organisations. 

• Develop a process for identifying and managing performance across both the supply chain and the client function.

• Meeting regularly with key suppliers; maintaining good communication and collaborative relationships.

• Regularly share key information with suppliers including specific custodial market information and the MoJ construction pipeline.

• Supporting new market entrants in building their understanding of the custodial construction market.

• Provide regular reporting to senior management on supplier performance; identifying areas for improvement; innovation and efficiency.

• Gathering market intelligence across the supply chain providing regular updates and information to the wider delivery team on emerging issues and risk affecting the construction market.

• Working with suppliers to organise regular supplier events including Supplier Engagement Events; Special Interest Groups and Collaborative Working Groups. 

• Build best practice across the supply chain including the delivery social value initiatives such as improving prison leaver employment opportunities.

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

• Market Insight – The post-holder should have the ability to secure and act upon insight into customers, citizens, services, communities and markets relating to a specified set of contracts or projects
• Commercial Focus – Ability to articulate commercial motivations & expected behaviours of stakeholders, suppliers & networks, involve the right stakeholders & partners in making recommendations or decisions early on & proactively engage them
• Strategy and Policy Development – Previous experience of developing supplier management strategies in order to maximise commercial leverage, build stronger relationships and enhance programme delivery
• Contract and Supply Management – Evidence of developing and managing strategic relationships with internal stakeholders and the wider supply chain to deliver mutual benefit for those involved

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