Commercial Deputy Director – Digital & Technology

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.

This exciting Deputy Director role leads our Digital and Technology Commercial team as well as Consultancy & Professional Services procurement. The team delivers a wide range of goods and services across the MoJ and its Agencies.

The successful candidate will manage a team of c100 commercial professionals (6 direct reports) and a portfolio of c350 contracts – delivering over 200 procurements each year. The team deliver procurement, supplier and contract management activities across the ‘Define, Buy, Manage’ pillars, to help reduce commercial risk and exposure and increase value for money.

Working within a fast-paced environment, candidates will need to have excellent communication and organisational skills to ensure commercial processes are working effectively to meet business needs. We’re also looking for candidates that can operate in a business partnering style; have effective stakeholder management skills and the ability to develop strong relationships that improve commercial outputs are essential.

Successful applicants are expected to have a strong background and knowledge on the IT industry across sourcing, buying and contract management activities. However a breadth of commercial experience in other areas is always advantageous as we work in an agile manner, and there will be the opportunity to become involved in a wide array of interesting and critical work.

With an opportunity to drive value and create real difference within MOJ Digital and Technology Commercial team, the successful candidate will lead teams responsible for the end to end procurement lifecycle management, including the mapping of pipeline and demand management, execution of the procurement activities from both business as usual as well large programmes and effective lifecycle management of a number of key contracts, delivering a range of goods and services across the MoJ. 

The role has a heavily reliance on D&T experience, however we are also looking for people with the right personal qualities – inspirational, enthusiastic, proactive, collaborative, inclusive.

Responsibilities across Demand Management, Contract Management & Procurement activities will be:-

•  Provide effective leadership for the digital and technology commercial teams – championing diversity, inclusiveness and wellbeing.

• To develop/maintain the commercial strategy to support the delivery of the MoJ Digital Technology Vision.

• Lead on developing and delivering commercial strategies within IT/Digital procurement requiring supplier innovation, senior stakeholder engagement, and/or market building & shaping.

• Deliver an annually agreed savings target for the Digital category portfolio and to manage this target through performance management of Commercial Digital teams, suppliers and working collaboratively with stakeholders.

• Continuously build Digital and IT category expertise and knowledge to deliver category plans and strategies that deliver high quality commercial procurement outcomes, whilst ensuring value for money.

• Lead a team of commercial colleagues ensuring commercial capability and skills are built and developed empowering people through coaching, mentoring and sharing expertise/knowledge.

• Managing supplier performance; advising and supporting the Commercial Director and Chief Commercial Officer on key commercial issues.

• Develop core stakeholder relationships across the MoJ business and with suppliers.

• Develop relationships across government so that the MoJ commercial interests are represented effectively at all times and the Department is getting maximum opportunities to leverage spend and commercial position across Government.

• To represent the Commercial Directorate at senior meetings across MoJ, and externally as required.

• Working closely with stakeholders to establish effective, working relationships.

• Ensuring proper controls and documentation are in place.

• Liaising with colleagues across government to share knowledge and best practice.

• Acting as a Commercial Subject Matter Expert within Program Teams.

• Provide expert commercial advice for existing contracts in the portfolio.

• Effective contract management of all contracts within the category, establishing an understanding of them from “Cradle to Grave”.

• Planning and developing procurement strategies and exit strategies to meet business needs.

• Engage in a timely manner with the business to allow sufficient time for commercial support on the contract lifecycle.

• Developing and managing the pipeline of procurements for the category.

• Advise on best route to market and share best practices with the team.

• Ensure timely market engagement to meet business needs.

• Be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer.

• Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the MOJ and across government.

Current Key activities:

Digitech

• Procurement and contract management of large digital and technology projects, like WAN/LAN, EUCS, Voice and Video, Service Desk, Hosting and AMS.

• Understanding of new and purpose build technologies to support Prisons and Tribunals.

• Managed Services, project management and agile development.

• Traditional Software licensing and Software as a Service (SaaS).

General & Professional Services

• Staff Augmentation and associated people services.

• Consulting, Legal and Professional Services.

• Business Partnering.

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

• Risk Mindset – Strong experience, with a measurable track record of taking strategic decisions under ambiguity, of proactively managing risks and operating collegiately within complex governance arrangements
• Manages Complexity – Evidence of significant personal involvement in complex commercial deals, while maintaining strong customer/supplier relationships
• Commercial Focus – Evidence of leading innovative Digital & Technology category and commercial strategies and commercial programmes, driving them to completion focussing on quality and value for money. Experience of large public sector procurement
• Builds Relationships – The ability to deal with the complexity of delivering across a matrix operating model, with a variety of cultures and strategic aim; building effective relationships that positively impact commercial delivery
• Coaching Manager – Proven experience as an inspiring and credible leader of teams of similar size; building capability and empowering people through coaching, mentoring and sharing expertise/knowledge
• Contract and Supply Management – Extensive experience working effectively with suppliers, operating across the lifecycle of Digital and Technology commercial

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. 

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Job contact :

• Name : Rachel Whyte
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk