Commercial Lead – Assistance & Scrutiny Team

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.

The post holders will become the focal point for Category A (excess of £400m) & Category B projects (excess of £100m) (tier 1 & tier 2 projects), providing end-to-end commercial scrutiny and expert advice and guidance for their respective business portfolios 

You will represent the MOD function at key governance boards and provide strategic input on commercial issues.

The post holder will report directly into the Commercial Assistance & Scrutiny Team (CAST) lead. 

Important: Applicants must be either CIPS qualified or working towards, or willing to work towards to be eligible to remain in this post.

You will assist and advise delivery teams through the E2E commercial process, in line with the requirements of the Cabinet Office Controls across the key 6 step process:

You will work with your partners across the commercial function and delivery teams, in planning, preparing, and resourcing key projects across your allocated portfolio, as a minimum this will require:

1. Effective reviews of commercial / delivery pipelines. 
2. Effective reviews of all ministerial demands in line with commercial practice and delivery within your portfolio. 
3. Identify any key trends, tracking any points of concern within your portfolio, for example: lessons learnt, capability development and training, red team reviews etc. 
4. Responsible to keep accurate records in line with the MOD record keeping policies. 

Important: Applicants must be either CIPS qualified or working towards, or willing to work towards to be eligible to remain in this post.

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

• Assertive – Can demonstrate strong leadership capability, being able to illustrate how to successfully lead / influence a team who do not directly report to you
• Manages Complexity – Evidence of the ability to identify process improvements and successfully manage changes that deliver great Commercial outcomes
• Commercial Focus – In-depth Commercial experience across the whole commercial lifecycle from Market Insight through to award, mobilisation, contract management, exit & transfer
• Resilient – Demonstrates resilience in resolving issues. Implements change at all levels, improves the value service offer by working with parties to identify & overcome challenges Builds confidence in teams, encouraging them to develop and improve
• Builds Relationships – Proven experience in influencing Senior Internal and External stakeholders, also evidencing stakeholder management
• Procurement Process – Is efficient in understanding and developing category strategies, product road maps and sourcing plans. Proven ability to establish clear objectives, plans and identifies challenges and measures risk

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