Commercial Lead

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 Department of Health and Social Care commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

The role of the Commercial Lead is to provide category, procurement, contract / supplier management, and stakeholder leadership to the department and the wider health family across a range of spend areas/categories.

The post holder will work in collaboration with key business stakeholders, Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs), the NHS and other Government Departments to provide strong commercial advice and support and deliver end-to-end commercial solutions that meet the business need whilst ensuring the best possible value for money.

The successful candidate will:

• Manage the lifecycle of large, complex contracts (existing and new) across the category, and the commercial management of key suppliers.

• Provide consistent and clear commercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders and being a key point of contact to the business for the Commercial Group.

• Provide robust commercial assurance for business cases (below £10m) from DHSC Groups and the wider health family. Work with the Commercial Assurance team for cases above £10m.

• Define, manage and monitor benefits realisation including commercial savings and sustainability outcomes.

• Line management / task management of staff and maintain a key role in coaching and developing staff.

• Develop a commercially focused culture within the team and work to develop relationships with key stakeholders to improve commercial understanding across the department.

• Lead Cabinet Office Commercial initiatives and ensure all reporting and milestones are achieved.

Relevant experience and skills:

• Detailed knowledge of commercial process and approaches – initially this can come from either a procurement or contract management background.

• Excellent communication, relationship and stakeholder management skills.

• Focus on achieving commercial outcomes and delivering value for money.

• Working in a fast-paced environment: identifying opportunities and reprioritising actions based on customer demands, criticality and interdependencies.

• Leadership experience either from line management or from leading a complex Commercial project.

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

• Commercial Focus: Leads on securing value for money through achieving a good return on investment on commercial projects. Influences internal decisions and leads discussions.
• Builds Relationships: Manages stakeholders and communicates with impact. Is trusted for commercial advice and is able to put technical considerations in plain language for stakeholders.
• Coaching Manager: Builds Confidence in team, encouraging them to develop and improve. Understands, at local level, the team’s strengths, skills gaps and actively seeks to build capacity.
• Procurement Process: Advises on and applies procurement policies, processes and governance mechanisms. Develops and publishes a full and approved bidder’s pack in line with financial and contractual delegations.
• Contract and Supply Management: Holds both suppliers and customers accountable for living up to their contractual commitments. Resolves disputes effectively and efficiently.

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