Commercial Lead – Contract Manager for Missions – Public Safety Group

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 HO commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

This post does not have any direct line management responsibilities; however, the post holder will be a part of the Contract and Service Delivery leadership team which will require some mentoring of contract management staff when handling complex commercial deliverables. 

The post holder will be responsible for proactively engaging with prime supplier via the robust governance structure that is established and will liaise with internal enablers to ensure effective delivery of the MSVC Contract. 

Procurement and Contract Management:

• Working collaboratively with SCA Contracts and Service Delivery team to ensure efficient contract management. Demonstrating strong grip and ownership to ensure that commercial risks are identified, understood, and managed at all stages, and that ongoing risks are transferred seamlessly into contract management and escalated where appropriate. 
• Working collaboratively with wider internal enablers (such as policy, finance, Home Office  analytical and legal teams ) to raise the profile and understanding of commercial matters. 
• Ensuring the SCA is supported in checking the monthly performance and invoice data in accordance with the contract.
• Managing and effecting changes notices including relevant costs and relevant business cases. 
• Attending contract governance meetings and SCA strategic meetings to ensure Commercial representation. 
• Effectively managing issues with Suppliers, including dispute management.
• Monitoring the quality of the services being provided via the CQC MOU, alongside the CSD assurance lead and policy colleagues. 
• Leading on monitoring Social Value, Relationship Management and Finance Distress.
• Providing expert commercial advice to others that draws on relevant procurement legislation, policy, information, supply market knowledge, and commercial experience. 
• Providing options and opportunities from commercial perspective looking at aspects such as requirements, solution options, risks, benefits and sustainability.
• Engaging with the project leading on the procurement of “Victim Support 2025”, ensuring that appropriate transition planning is taking place, and that the commercial impacts on the current contract are well managed. 
• Identifying and implementing opportunities to reduce cost and improve performance.
• Developing a deep understanding of relevant supply markets and using this knowledge to monitor markets to proactively identify commercial opportunities that deliver most value. Influencing stakeholders at executive levels to develop requirements that align best to suppliers and supply market’s ability to deliver value. Ensuring wider Government solutions/approaches are used to best effect. 
• Maintaining awareness of Home Office Group and wider Government (Crown Commercial Service) strategies and activities. 
• Leading and supporting the SCA teams in the implementation and embedding of robust Contract Management, aligned to the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO) “Contract Management Guide”, for the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.
• Deliver Home Office Contract Management processes, procedures, and training, in line with the GCO Standards. 

Leadership. You will:

• Develop strong strategic relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders to maximise opportunities to collaborate, achieve efficiencies, improve capability and promote the commercial profession.
• Lead or support the development of, or create opportunities to improve, commercial leverage and drive best practice.    
• Provide consistent and clear commercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure the Department is compliant with all relevant Government and Departmental policies, regulations and legislation.
• Develop a commercially focused culture within the team and work to develop relationships with key stakeholders to improve commercial understanding across the business.
• Proactively support the professional development of all team members, taking responsibility for the ongoing performance and development of self and staff, plus performance of the team as a whole.
• Provide leadership direction, standards, and advice to the wider Commercial department, contributing to the culture of meeting the highest commercial standards and continuous learning and improvement.

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

• Risk Mindset – Calculates risks in sourcing for innovative solutions, analysis of risk in contract management and gives assurance on decision.
• Manages Complexity – Experience of managing large contracts with complex commercial structures to ensure value for money is achieved. Demonstrating strategic thinking, flexibility, risk management and resilience.
• Decisive -Evidence of the successful design and delivery of holistic end-to-end strategic category plans and commercial strategies.
• Commercial Focus – Procurement and commercial experience in a complex and policy-led environment, including knowledge and understanding of commercial policies, practical application and implementing the latest commercial methodologies
• Builds Relationships – Experience of building and influencing, productive relationships at all levels and with a variety of stakeholders with different backgrounds and perspectives, in a highly complex, fast-moving, commercial environment.

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 : Hayley Parfitt
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk