Senior Commercial 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 MoD commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

Working in partnership with the Programme Manager(s) they are supporting, the Senior Commercial Manager is required to manage and deliver their acquisition pipeline, notably delivering:

• A timely cost effective delivery of your Divisions acquisition programme(s),
• The performance standard setting and delivery monitoring,
• Leadership of key contract and supplier negotiations for your programme(s),
• Managing commercial/business risk and leading assurance.

Successful delivery will come from developing a trusted strategic relationship with the Programme Managers you support to enable:

• Effective Science & Technology programme delivery: quality of service; efficiency and cost savings, optimising tax payer impact for money; continuous improvement, innovation and best practice transfer.
• Strategic supplier capability management: continuity of availability of mission critical and/or sensitive services; and continuity of service for ‘sensitive’ operations; compliance.

Key Relationships

The Senior Commercial Manager develops and coordinates extensive external and internal relationships with:

• External – Leaders in the supplier organisations selected on their importance to the delivery of Dstl strategy and programme performance.
• Internal Civil Service – Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office stakeholders and peers;
• Internal Organisation – Programme managers, project managers and key stakeholders.  Functional colleagues and our commercial team.

The Person:

You may have many years of experience and for you this role would represent an opportunity to operate with considerable autonomy not often found in large corporate organisations.  You will have the chance to bring your experience and skills to bear, as the pinnacle of your career to date.

You may only have a few years in a senior role, but are senior nonetheless – a high achieving star performer, looking for the chance to consolidate your experience of strategic relationships and managing performance through commercial constructs with your next big move.  You would find a platform in this role to take your credentials, network and impact to the next level.

You will need to be comfortable working at all levels within an organisation – from the strategic to the operational, and have the energy, motivation and drive to deliver outstanding results over the next few years as the transformation in performance you will drive begins to bear fruit.

You will thrive under the microscope, understanding the importance of performance measures and reporting – taking pride in your achievements and not shying away from the challenge.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

• Advising senior programme & project staff on acquisition strategies for complex and strategic procurements.

• Partnering commercial practitioners in managing major competitive and single source processes and sourcing activities.

• Developing invitations to tender for complex contracts which require non-standard pricing and bespoke terms and conditions

• Support in the management of large complex contracts, and where appropriate assisting with contractor performance management.

• Supporting the management of procurement pipelines, and ensuring awareness of incoming commercial over the short / medium and long term.

Relevant skills / experience needed

• The ability to work with a range of different complex delivery models.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to recommend appropriate risk taking.

• Proven team management skills gained through the direct management of teams, or through leading cross functional projects.

• Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Qualifications

• MCIPS or working towards (Level 5 or 6) – applicants need to possess, or be willing to achieve level 5 or 6 in post (full study support provided).

Once in post it is likely candidates will require to undergo DV clearance.

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

• Risk Mindset – Ability to analyse commercial risks and understand margins of error in developing recommendations for customers and stakeholders, using analysis to make effective recommendations and articulating key risks
• Manages Complexity – The ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment delivering to strict deadlines. Experience of working in a complex environment, or leading complex procurements
• Resilient – Demonstrates resilience in resolving issues internally and in helping the team to deal with setbacks and implements change at a local level, working with affected parties to identify and overcome challenges
• Builds Relationships – Develops strong stakeholder relationships based on collaboration, and delivery improvement. Demonstrable ability to work with senior stakeholders and is seen as a go to person trusted for commercial advice
• Understanding Sourcing Needs – Ensures accurate forecasting and demand planning through collaboration, early involvement of internal stakeholders in sourcing processes. Ensuring shared understanding of how contracts will be managed post sourcing
• Contract and Supply Management – Manages strategic relationships to deliver mutual benefit. Ensures suppliers and customers are accountable for contractual commitments. Resolving disputes, and contract variations are managed in a timely manner

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 : Sean Kelly
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk