Head of Commercial & Contract Management

Thank you for taking the time to read about our role with the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD). We are a non-ministerial department, which provides actuarial solutions including financial risk analysis, modelling and advice to support the UK public sector. GAD’s mission is to improve the stewardship of public sector finances by supporting effective decision-making, robust financial reporting through actuarial analysis, modelling and advice.

We are looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Head of Commercial & Contract Management who will be responsible for governance of all service contracts in relation to IT, Facilities Management and other Commercial contracts.

This is a generalist role, and no two days will be the same, you will be responsible for strategic decisions & tasks in the operations department. This will be organising operations, supplier management, sourcing, and procurement. You will identify and lead key initiatives, strategies and plans that will drive the operational functions forward to enhance the day-to-day operations of GAD.

About you

While you may have a qualification, we are more interested in your substantial experience of commercial project management. We would expect you to have some form of a Finance background/experience whilst being digitally savvy. You will build lasting client relationships and lead a strong service. Keen analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial, whilst experience in a government environment will be considered advantageous.

The ability to express commercial reasoning in a persuasive manner is also important. By joining the team, you will actively seek to add value. In return, you will be given every opportunity to develop & progress your career.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establish an Intelligent Client Function to manage the service provided by our key service partners, GPA and HMT.
• Manage contracts, particularly KPIs, and agreements with GAD’s service delivery partners in relation to office locations and IT service provision (c.£3m), ensuring excellent customer experience for GAD.
• Lead and develop effective working relationships with GPA and HMRC for London and Edinburgh office accommodation respectively and with HMT for IT service delivery.
• Work across teams in GAD, GPA and HMT to review and update policies and procedures in relation to building and IT/Cyber security and business continuity.
• Oversee commercial assurance across the Department, providing advice, where required, to the Operational and Actuarial teams engaging in procurement processes.
• Ensure internal and external reporting requirements, in relation to GAD’s office locations and IT service delivery, are managed. This includes, but is not limited to, feeding into GAD’s annual reports and accounts, Environmental Management System, dashboards on contract performance, Departmental Security Health Check.

About the Team

This is a new team, so it’s an exciting time for us at the Government Actuaries Department, with new projects in the pipeline. The directorate has gone through exciting changes recently, to consolidate a number of corporate areas in the department.

You can find out more about GAD, our work, the open positions, and our assessment process in the following recruitment pack and YouTube video:

• GAD Actuary Recruitment Pack – July 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Actuaries in government – YouTube

Strategy

Lead on developing and delivering longer-term locations strategy to align with GAD’s business development. This will include working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations, Senior Management, Government Property Agency (GPA), Cabinet Office and other key stakeholders to fully capture requirements and develop a range of suitable options.

Intelligent Customer Function

Responsible for ensuring that contracts and agreements with GAD’s service delivery partners in relation to office locations and IT service provision are being managed and delivered in line with SLAs/KPIs. 

Lead and develop effective working relationships with GPA and HMRC for London and Edinburgh office accommodation respectively and with HMT for IT service delivery.

Represent GAD’s interest in any proposed building related projects in GAD’s offices and any proposed changes/improvements to the IT service.

Manage risks and opportunities in relation to project delivery.

Report to senior management on service and project delivery against expectations. 

Commercial and contract management

Provide commercial assurance to senior management, providing advice, where required, to the business and engaging in procurement processes. Manage member of staff to maintain and assure commercial pipeline for GAD.

Manage GAD contracts and budget (c.£3m) with GPA and TrIS, liaising with internal and external stakeholders regularly and resolve any concerns, difficulties, or issues, and recording progress appropriately. Ensure contractual terms and conditions for suppliers and subcontractors are administered.

Internal and External Reporting

Responsible for ensuring that internal and external reporting requirements, in relation to GAD’s office locations and IT service delivery, are managed.  This will include, but is not limited to, feeding into GAD’s annual reports and accounts, Environmental Management System, dashboards on contract performance, Departmental Security Health Check, Places for Growth returns, State of the Estate reporting.

Policy development and delivery

Work across teams in GAD and HMT to review and update policies and procedures in relation to building and IT/Cyber security and business continuity.

Environmental compliance

Work with team members across the wider Finance and Operations Team and department to provide support and guidance, ensuring GAD are fulfilling their responsibilities, including:

• Work with Climate Change working group to setup Climate Change adaptation plan, and a plan for Net Zero.
• Manage Environmental Management System (ISO14001), ensure compliance and recertification annually.
• Lead on preparing and assuring environmental and Net Zero information for Annual Accounts

 Personal Responsibility

• Deliver joined up working in delivery of a comprehensive service.
• Take forward own development and network as appropriate with fellow professionals in other organisations.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Finance or Commercial background, at least part qualified and membership with accredited body. (Desirable)
• Substantial experience of commercial project management, principles and methodologies. (Essential)
• An understanding of project delivery in a civil service organisation. (Essential)
• Good working knowledge of MS Office Tools including Word and Excel. (Essential)

As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:

• 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition, 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time colleagues)
• Hybrid working – GAD expects colleagues in the office 50% of the time. We would expect you in either our Canary Wharf or Edinburgh office, at least two / three days a week, dependent on operational requirements and typically the other days at home.
• Pension -An average employer pension contribution of 27% per year.
• Professional Fees – you can claim back the cost of professional fees associated with your role.
• Extensive talent, career and personal development, with up to ten days a year, being used for Continuing Professional Development.
• Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent colleagues
• Community volunteering programme, the opportunity to join a trade union, access to Edenred discounts, some examples include, 5% off supermarkets, and up to 40% off gym memberships and social groups
• Salary advances for travel costs, including season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@gad.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@gad.gov.uk