Commercial Deputy Director

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 DESNZ commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, this role will be one of two Deputy Directors responsible for the commercial support to the Department across the end-to-end commercial lifecycle. There is a third Commercial Deputy Director responsible for commercial assurance and capability. The Commercial directorate is currently arranged by portfolios, Energy and Net Zero, and initially on appointment, this role will be responsible for the management of the Net Zero portfolio. However, the portfolio structure is under review and it is expected that the structure and responsibilities of the SLT will change within 6-9 months following appointment of this role, and we will move to a more functional leadership structure rather than a portfolio basis.

One of the key elements of this role will be to assist the development of the revised and new strategy. It is expected that we will move to a revised structural model within 6-9 months from appointment of this role, and at that point, it is expected that the requirements of the role will move away from whole lifecycle commercial services for Net Zero, and move into functional leadership of specialism (e.g. Commercial Risk management and commercial investment management) across all portfolios, however this is very much in development and exact functional leadership is to be determined. The model will be reviewed on a regular monthly basis to ensure the limited commercial resources are split proportionately to the needs and priorities of the Department and you will be expected to be flexible and accommodating in the changing priorities.

As Commercial Deputy Director with responsibility for Net Zero, you will be responsible for the commercial activities across two Director General groups in DESNZ:

• Net Zero Buildings and Industry
• Net Zero Strategy and International

The commercial portfolio includes several gold and silver contracts and memoranda of understanding, as well as all DESNZ programmes to deliver our plans and priorities:  the Ten Point Plan for an Industrial Revolution, the British Energy Security Strategy, the Energy White Paper,, the Net Zero Strategy  and Powering Up Britain.

Programmes include:

• Hydrogen Heating Programme
• Energy efficiency schemes for domestic properties
• Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
• Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support the development and deployment of technologies that enable businesses with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future.
• Science and Innovation for Climate and Energy
• Several large funds for progressing the net zero agenda internationally
• Heat Networks

In your role, you will also be responsible for:

• Leading a team to provide commercial support and intervention across the full lifecycle for contracts, memoranda of understanding and grants, acting as the first line of defence.
• Developing commercial strategies and selling the value of commercial so that appropriate commercial budget is allocated to upcoming Departmental projects and programmes.
• Maturing the commercial function in DESNZ, working collaboratively with the Assurance and Capability team and championing, leading and implementing new ways of working.
• Maintaining the relationship with Crown Commercial Service, Complex Transaction Team and Commercial Legal team as well as counter parts in Finance and Project Delivery in DESNZ
• GCO priorities and programmes within DESNZ, including Contract Management and Supplier Strategic Relationship Management programmes.
• People and processes: ensuring that the DESNZ commercial team has the right tools, processes and skills to deliver Departmental priorities.
• Raising commercial awareness and capabilities across the Department.
• Promoting collaboration and sharing of best practices across the DESNZ family and GCO.
• Preparing and communicating regular, tailored customer Commercial reports to inform strategic decision making and important stakeholder meetings.
• Liaising with GCO to leverage and implement best practices and key initiatives, and provide DESNZ’s departmental input to GCO strategies and plans.
• 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 DESNZ and across Government.

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

• Manages Complexity – Strong leadership skills and experience of leading individuals and teams effectively in delivery of large scale or complex commercial projects and programmes.
• Decisive – Agility and flexibility in response to changing priorities and challenges. Experience of leading and delivering change effectively.
• Commercial Focus – Experience of delivery across the full commercial lifecycle.
• Builds Relationships – Proven experience in influencing Senior Internal and External stakeholders, with outstanding communication skills at all levels.
• Strategy and Policy Development – Commercial assurance expertise, including critical thinking expertise and decision-making skills.
• Procurement Process – Experience in the development of strategies for high value/risk, critical/complex procurements and playing a leading role in the implementation and end to end delivery of these.

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