Air-Commercial Delivery Deputy Head – Sourcing and Contract Management

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 Ministry of Defence – Air Commercial commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

This role is part of the Air Commercial Delivery Hub who are responsible for all aspects of the commercial lifecycle predominantly related to the sourcing of services and their in-life management.  The role is responsible for the development of commercial strategies for Air Command’s wide and varied requirement portfolio, oversight and delivery of sourcing activities and the contract performance and management of placed contracts. 

The role is focused on commercial delivery and the full lifecycle of the procurement of services, using commercial skills to drive innovative outcomes, value for money, and ensure commercial risks and opportunities are understood and well managed throughout the commercial delivery lifecycle.  As the Commercial Lead you will be responsible for the delivery of key commercial activities that will support the achievement of commercial objectives and ensure benefits are realised.

You will work closely with project and programme teams and build extensive networks across Defence, Government and with Industry, developing a detailed understanding of the strategic commercial risks and opportunities relevant to your market and area of responsibility, helping Air Command to achieve increased value and reduced lead times through greater consistency, efficiency and effectiveness in its contracting approaches.

The role is part of the Air Commercial Senior Management Team and Commercial Delivery Hub, in addition to your immediate area of responsibility you will also be expected to play an important leadership role within Air Commercial, supporting continued commercial transformation within Air Command and MOD as well as contributing to wider government commercial initiatives.  

• Operate as part of the Air Commercial Senior Management Team, working collegiately to deliver Air Commercial’s leadership objectives.

• Manage and oversee a commercial team and portfolio of activity ranging from low value contracting to the sourcing of innovative and complex major projects through to contract management activities.

• Support the production of business cases including ensuring the commercial case is drafted in line with project plans and objectives.

• Lead the lifecycle of the procurement process to enable projects to achieve their objectives and demonstrate value for money.

• Lead negotiations of projects with bidders.

• Representing projects to industry including testing commercial options to inform robust commercial strategy and maintain market appetite.

• Commercial landscape mapping both internally and externally to ensure market position and drivers are understood and Pan MOD and government LfE is being applied.

• Active contract management including the monitoring of performance and obligations, highlighting and addressing key risks.

• Provide commercial leadership to project teams, energising others to deliver high quality commercial outcomes.

• Develop and contribute to a pan MOD and government network, share learning, and experience and ensure consideration and alignment with other relevant initiatives and projects.

• Contribute to the Government Commercial Function and the Defence Commercial Function through participation and support of key initiatives.

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

• Risk Mindset: Proven ability to identify & articulate commercial risks in project delivery including understanding appropriate risk allocation & the behaviours & strategies this drives in commercial negotiation.
• Commercial Focus: Successfully develop & deliver commercial & procurement strategies & tender activities, managing complex contracts. Experience includes market management to ensure commercial constructs are deliverable, competitive, & deliver valu
• Resilient: Confidence to represent & defend Air Commands position in dealings with industry & other key stakeholders, ability to learn from setbacks in delivery & respond with adjusted courses of action when required.
• Understanding Sourcing Needs: Evidence of developing & critically assessing commercial options & sourcing models to deliver objectives & enable enduring project performance. Can communicate & articulate requirements in a market ready position.
• Contract and Supply Management: Experience of negotiating effectively at senior levels with suppliers to maximise value for money, drive innovation and continually improve services.

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 : Rachel Whyte
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk