Head of Commercial Compliance and Investigations

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 Cabinet Office commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for the public contract regulations and for implementing the government’s policy on public procurement. The Procurement Bill will introduce the biggest changes to how public sector organisations buy goods and services for a generation! 

As the Head of Compliance and Investigations, you will be responsible for one Commercial Lead as a direct report and you will have the opportunity to apply your industry and procurement knowledge alongside your refined leadership, investigatory and stakeholder management skills to support the Cabinet Office central commercial teams in improving commercial capability of the public sector contracting with suppliers whilst reducing the risk of legal challenges.

You will engage with senior experts across government to manage reviews as part of a flexible resource pool which may include an independent panel for which you will initially design and implement the operating model for and alongside existing experts within government i.e the Cabinet Office Legal Advisors, Serious Fraud Office and National Security teams.

Leading the resourcing, coordination and oversight of complex, far reaching and politically sensitive systemic or institutionalised non compliance investigations you will have oversight of pan public sector contracting authorities. You will also need to work closely with other government departments and devolved administrations. 

The role will initially focus on bringing to life the new legislation and target operating model by building on the existing processes in preparation for the Procurement Bill becoming law, expected to be in autumn 2024.

Preparations will include agreeing the operating relationships with the Cabinet Office central commercial teams, government departments and the National Security Function.  You will lead the creation of flexible resourcing arrangements, procedures, templates, process maps and guidance covering triage, risk profiling, investigations, independent reviews, writing ministerial submissions and management of recommendations through to overseeing remedial action. 

If you are passionate about joining an organisation with a vision and drive to be the “best Commercial Function in the UK”, are outcomes driven, conscientious, enjoy working collaboratively and passionate about continuous improvement the Strategy Assurance and Standards team is for you.

You will be a senior leader within the Cabinet Office, playing an active role in the Strategy, Assurance and Standards Management Team through leading, managing, supporting and coaching more junior team members; developing and enforcing Cabinet Office Commercial Policies and Governance arrangements across our area of work.

You will lead the creation of the new procurement oversight system and therefore work closely with the Cabinet Office policy team, central commercial teams, the cabinet office legal advisors, departments, arm’s length bodies and the wider public sector to ensure the process is fit for purpose under the new regime. There will be a significant amount of stakeholder engagement and cross working with the Head of Debarment and Investigations, The Heads of Commercial Standards as well as the Head of the Procurement Review Unit Portfolio Office. You will maintain the integrity of the procurement regime and ensure contracting authorities act in line with our international obligations including under the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

A key part of the role is to create, oversee and utilise a pool of independent subject matter experts to either form the investigation team and / or be utilised to advise on recommendations following an investigation. As a senior member of the Strategy, Assurance and Standards team you will also work in an agile fashion across the management team. 

In your role you will also be responsible for:

• Lead and manage a team of commercial professionals including matrix management of subject matter experts and ensure their output contributes directly and aligns to the Department’s priorities and objectives, including the management of public money and delivery of value for money.

• Support the Deputy Director of Strategy Assurance and Standards to lead the team and to effectively communicate commercial policy to drive continuous improvements, deliver key engagement & programme management activities in support of both Government Commercial Function and Cabinet Office priorities as part of the public policy procurement reform strategy.

• Mobilise investigation teams, manage and lead investigations, follow up reviews and manage ministerial approvals.

• Create, manage and utilise an independent procurement compliance advisory panel to make fully informed recommendations, ensure actions meet recommended outcomes and issue guidance on learning from experience. 

• Manage a portfolio of cases including compiling reports based on investigation findings, making recommendations to an independent panel before securing ministerial sign off.

• Oversee the triage of non-compliance cases ensuring reports are issued on time and meet stakeholder expectations.

• Work alongside the PRU portfolio office to share data and insights relating to the number, nature & status of breaches & challenges.

• Ensure that investigations proposed/delivered are to expected standards as set out in the PRU operating standards.

• Developing guidance on the reforms; and lead on ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions relating to the role and related work.

The successful candidate will have an appreciation and understanding of the barriers facing contracting authorities. You will enjoy working in an agile environment, have a track record of leading teams, applying a variety of investigation techniques and tools whilst being able to work under pressure thus ensuring effective and efficient delivery of commercial outcomes in fast paced, political and ambiguous environments.

The role requires an individual who can demonstrate substantial experience of procurement rules either from a buyer or supplier perspective. You will also have contract management or supplier relationship management experience with in-depth understanding of the new public procurement regulations, legal framework and up to date knowledge of commercial policy, data and Management Information good practice. 

You will be adept at using data and information enabling the PRU to establish a baseline for monitoring benefits of the new regime – and using this to drive continuous improvement.

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

• Risk Mindset: Deep experience of the analysis of risks and margins of error whilst drawing together and presenting sound recommendations through making reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence.
• Manages Complexity: Experience of having had a leading role in investigating complex commercial activities, with demonstrable experience across the commercial lifecycle.
• Resilient: The ability to challenge senior stakeholder decisions, work under pressure, and deliver multiple projects within agreed timescales.
• Builds Relationships: Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills with a record of developing and instigating different approaches to support collaborative relationships. Collaborating communicating complex solutions clearly.
• Political Insight: Acts decisively and clearly recommends the best option articulating risks and impacts on economic, environmental, political and social factors.

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 : Hayley Parfitt
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk