Commercial Lead x 2 (Competition 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 MOJ commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

The posts being advertised is within the Directorate’s Custodial Services team. 

The team are responsible for leading and providing commercial support across the MOJ’s high profile outsourced operational services namely; Prisoner Escort and Custody Services; Privately Managed Prisons; and Victim Services (primarily Grants). 

These roles will primarily be supporting the teams sourcing pipeline, but the work of the wider does cut across the remainder of the procurement lifecycle including exit and contract management activities.  

Delivery of strategic value to drive our category forward is critical to our success in a dynamic and challenging operational environment, where failure is not an option. 

We are seeking individuals who have a desire to take ownership, bring new ideas and act passionately as part of an experienced team, to drive value for money decisions. Your professional expertise and judgement will be relied upon by senior colleagues to make crucial decisions.

• Commercial Leadership – The post holder will be responsible for managing complex commercial projects and/or contracts, supporting the department in identifying and implementing strategies that deliver the most suitable outcomes
• Working with senior stakeholders – the post holder will be responsible for managing multiple senior stakeholders, providing appropriate advice and guidance at all levels and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills
• Leading negotiations – the post holder will lead on complex negotiations with our outsourced providers
• Leading a Team – the post holder will be responsible for leading a team through our projects and will need to focus on staff development
• Showing Creativity – post holder will need to be innovative and creative in developing solutions that support the category area
• Displaying Technical skills – as the commercial lead the post holder will need to be able to demonstrate the appropriate technical skills, be able to communicate commercial considerations to non-technical colleagues simply and clearly
• Business Case/Board Paper drafting – the post holder will be responsible for ensuring any Business Cases/Board papers are drafted professionally ensuring that all commercial aspects have been considered and support the overall recommendations. There is a need for the Commercial Lead to balance simplicity and clarity in decision making papers – while ensuring all relevant areas are fully covered
• Being an expert in public sector procurement – the post holder will be providing expert advice on all aspects of the commercial lifecycle and should be able to draw on previous experience of procuring and exiting major contracts

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

• Manages Complexity – The post holder should be used to balancing the conflicting demands of multiple projects and tasks – knowing how to prioritise and ensure each task is treated appropriately
• Market Insight – It is desirable that the post holder have a basic knowledge of PFI projects and have skills in procuring, negotiating and delivering both services and/or construction contracts
• Commercial Focus – The post holder should have advised on complex commercial projects involving novel & non-standard commercial & contractual mechanisms. The post holder must also be familiar & comfortable working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Builds Relationships – Evidence of developing and managing effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels in a complex and strategic commercial environment, through effective communication, gravitas and personal impact
• Coaching Manager – The post holder should be an effective communicator both orally and in writing and should be a caring and empathetic manager, who tries to lead by example and who listens but who is also confident in his team to delegate

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