Deputy Director, Commercial Specialist

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 CTT commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

Complex Transactions (CTT) is a diverse team of commercial experts who – prior to joining us – have gained experience across a range of sectors, industries and procurement categories. Working in a pan-Government consulting role our objective is to support and enable Departments to deliver their most challenging and demanding objectives. All of our work is high profile, high value or integral to Government policy. In many cases it is all three. This recruitment campaign aims to increase the commercial specialist capacity in the team.

Our assignments take us to the heart of Government and we are at the forefront in addressing the commercial challenges that make this country operate. From renegotiating contracts for the Department for Work and Pensions to supporting  transformational technology projects for HMRC – our work ensures the delivery of services that impact the everyday lives of citizens across the UK. CTT is in the unique position of consistently shaping and influencing some of the biggest  deals that  exist in either the public or private sector. 

Our role as internal consultants across Government also enables us to influence the full spectrum of the commercial agenda. From levelling-up, procurement reform, Net Zero, social value, and digital transformation we have an opportunity to influence and apply these initiatives across central and local government and the private sector supply chains.  We also assess challenges from multiple perspectives, including fiscal, financial, economic, risk, deliverability and many others besides. 
You don’t need to have a background in public sector procurement to join us – we’re more interested in your commercial acumen, leadership, flexibility and desire to make a difference. 

This role reports directly into the Senior Management Team. You will report functionally to one of our Deputy Directors and you will be:

• A trusted advisor to commercial, policy, operational and programme leaders to help in the delivery of complex commercial programmes. Providing expert advice and support to some of the most high profile and complex commercial programmes and initiatives in Government
• Supporting departments to structure sourcing and commercial strategies to deliver  value for money on departmental programmes and projects
• Shaping and leading commercial negotiations with both new and incumbent suppliers through to great outcomes; providing strategic advice and support to complex contracts during the  procurement phase, contract exit and contract reviews
• Resolving high-value commercial disputes between government departments and strategic suppliers
• Identifying how Government can address best practice commercial approaches to ensure transparency, pricing and exit  arrangements, in more complex contracts
• Playing an active role in contributing to the expertise within the CTT.  Collaborating with peers to develop and share best practice

You will also:

• 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 the Cabinet Office and across Government

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

• Contract and Supply Management – Significant category expertise, likely to have been gained from working with or in blue-chip organisations at a senior level. Evidence of running insource/outsource conversations and transitioning
• Strategy and Policy Development – Extensive evidence of designing, shaping and agreeing innovative sourcing and commercial strategies and leading commercial programmes, driving them forward to completion
• Builds Relationships – Evidence of negotiation skills, likely to have been gained from multiple large deals. Able to demonstrate examples of having been able to secure a deal, while maintaining strong customer/supplier relationships
• Political Insight – Demonstrate outstanding consultancy skills, whether internal or external; ability to gain credibility and influence through, network development, strong stakeholder engagement and effective communication skills
• Resilient – Demonstrate high levels of confidence with a natural presence and gravitas that is likely to result in successfully influencing outcomes
• Manages Complexity – Demonstrable experience of managing complexity when making commercial decisions

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