Commercial Lead – Military Technology

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 – Defence Digital commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

This is an exciting time within Defence Digital Commercial as we embed Category Management within the Commercial and Project Functions. Consequently, the Military Technology Category are looking for expert Associate Commercial Specialists with a wide range of procurement knowledge to share their experience and to help shape and influence the evolving market facing Category Management Strategies.  

There is one Commercial Lead vacancy within the Military Technology Category, in the Level 2 Category called Space.

Military Technology

The Level 1 Military Technology Category manages a portfolio of 62 contracts with a total contract value of £2.298bn and an annual spend of £560m split across two Level 2 Categories which are Space and Tactical Communication and Information Systems (TACSYS). 

Space Level 2 Category 

SKYNET is the strategic satellite communication capability provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to the UK Armed Forces and Allies, including a family of military communication satellites and associated ground stations, terminals and services.  SKYNET 5 is the most recent generation of this family with its successor, the SKYNET 6 programme, launching a series of procurements for new assets and services that will ensure the continuity of this critical capability.  

The Space Level 2 Category Team are responsible for the procurement of these assets and services which, as well as the satellites themselves, include ground support infrastructure, modems, and bandwidth.  This is an exciting time to join the Space Level 2 Category, with the establishment of the National Space Strategy, the Defence Space Strategy and the UK Space Agency at Harwell.  We have a vacancy leading the SKYNET Integrated Enterprise Solution (SKIES) commercial activities, which is a concept phase project considering the best way to deliver the SKYNET programme into the 2030s.  The SKIES commercial team is growing rapidly from a small base, and this role will have line management responsibility for the team. 

CIPS 

All successful candidates must be CIPS Level 6 accredited/hold MCIPS or must be willing to commence (or resume) CIPS studies within three months of taking up your post. 

Clearance

All roles require SC before commencement of posts and may be required to be DV cleared once in post.

• Stakeholder engagement and management – Building influential internal relationships to ensure that commercial objectives are fully understood and embedded.
• Category Management – Responsibility for developing and implementing market facing Category Strategies and embedding change within the organisation including Stakeholder Management and Communication.
• Commercial Management – Responsibility for the day-to-day management of a large value portfolio of Contracts, ensuring commercial policy and processes are understood by stakeholders, sourcing and contract management activities as well as an understanding of the Procurement Regulations. Working collegiately with Project Delivery Teams to meet Operational Capability Requirements and management of the Cabinet Office Controls Pipeline. Commercial delegation of up to £100M depending on experience and ADC accreditation including CIPS.
• Sourcing – Responsibility for the development of robust Procurement and Commercial strategies to support the delivery of Defence outputs.  Initiating and managing complex procurement processes, whilst managing risk and schedule.
• Supplier relationships – Responsibility for building effective relationships with current and future suppliers.  Engagement with the Government Crown Representatives and Strategic Partnering Managers to embed Supplier Strategic Management and to enabling the market to better understand the Mil Tech Category requirements whilst ensuring that healthy, mutually beneficial relationships are built that deliver the right solutions at competitive prices.
• Collaboration – Close working with other Category, Finance and Project leads, within MOD and Government Commercial Function teams, to develop a strategic approach to Defence Digital spend.
• Cost-saving initiatives – Responsibility for implementing innovative strategies and negotiation of savings across the portfolio to deliver value for money and increase the overall value delivered to Defence.
• Risk Analysis – Responsibility for proactively anticipating potential commercial risks, mitigating actions and providing expert commercial advice. 
• Leadership – Responsibility for leading contract negotiations including price and contract terms, understanding the appropriate levers available and ability to develop a structured negotiation plan. Cognisant of Procurement law and ability to apply in contractual discussions.
• Line Management – Management of Commercial teams, acting as a positive and proactive role model, providing coaching and support for individuals and the wider team.

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

• Risk Mindset – Ability to take calculated risks in the pursuit of implementing efficient sourcing projects to deliver innovative solutions in line with policy & legal advice
• Manages Complexity – Experience of working on very large contracts with complex commercial structures to ensure value for money is achieved. Experience of working within a complex organisational structure with multiple stakeholders
• Resilient – Adapts quickly to different environments & uses different communications styles depending upon the needs of the particular audience. Demonstrates resilience with suppliers and across the team, defending the department’s position
• Builds Relationships – The ability to operate and build strong, productive relationships at all levels and with a variety of stakeholders with different backgrounds, perspectives and drivers
• Procurement Process – Manages procurements setting out the timeline, risks, mitigations & deliverables, involving other professionals and teams when needed. Leads negotiations with data & evidence & for some contracts acts as the signing authority
• Contract and Supply Management – Experience of the strategic management of high value and critical contracts/supplier relationships to mitigate risk, maximise performance and deliver continuous improvement

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 : Lynsey Munro
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk