Defence Digital Commercial – Commercial Manager – Networks (NGCN)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the UK Government’s fourth largest spending Department with a budget exceeding £36Bn per year and net assets valued at over £100Bn. MOD is responsible for over 40% of the value of all Government contracts placed with the private sector each year.

Defence Digital Commercial (DDCmrcl) is a growing organisation and is responsible for delivering outstanding value for Defence within the Digital and Information Technology sector. We are responsible for a large portfolio of complex contracts worth £2bn a year, through more than 300 suppliers.

Defence Digital Commercial is made up of five categories, IT Hardware & Services, Military Technology, Software and Hosting, Networks and Professional Services, each individual category team varies in size but in total we are a 180-person strong team. 

We are now recruiting for Commercial Managers to join our team where you will have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to build your career. We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to move into different commercial roles to develop a broad skill set, access to mentors and a suite of learning to support you on your career path.

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities.  Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

We currently have roles available within the category team listed below. Reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD commercial teams, although responsibilities will remain the same.

Networks NGCN

The Next Generation Communications Network (NGCN) Commercial Team support this high priority Programme for Defence Digital.  The NGCN Programme will move us from our current fragmented, expensive and complex networks, towards a Secure by Design, modern, agile and future proof network. It is key to the delivery of the MOD Digital Backbone, connecting sensors, decision-makers and effectors in real time, and giving MOD reliable and seamless access to data. 

The NGCN Commercial Team work closely with the Programme Team providing commercial advice and direction, and leading on delivery of commercial outcomes. As part of the team you will contribute directly to the creation of new, outcome based, collaborative and agile Network Contracts.

Key activities for the NGCN Commercial Team include:

• Effectively supporting the NGCN Programme in sourcing activity in accordance with the Regulations.
• Providing expert commercial support and advice to the NGCN Programme Team.
• Supporting Industry Days and Market Engagement events.
• Negotiation and evaluation/moderation of supplier responses with focus on value for money, agility, innovation and collaboration.

 The role of Commercial Manager includes the following:

 Pre-Market Engagement

• Providing expertise to Defence Digital project delivery teams to influence and inform the sourcing of new goods and services from 3rd parties
• Intelligently developing and deploying a range of sourcing strategies in cooperation with internalstakeholders
• Proactive market insight which includes a coordinated monitoring of potential and existing suppliers in a strategic and dynamic way

Sourcing

• Define and run Procurement processes in line with public sector regulations and using agreed tools and systems
• Selecting appropriate suppliers using relevant evaluation criteria and responsible for ensuring value for money for the duration of supplier engagement
• Negotiating favourable terms for pricing and contract terms that deliver immediate and ongoing financial and non-financial benefits
• Supporting the senior commercial officers in the negotiation of complex contracts
• Hold formal delegated powers of up to £2.5M

Contract Management

• Identification, definition and tracking of financial and non-financial benefits and savings
• Ongoing proactive management of key supplier relationships
• Effective management of full life cycle of the contracts including managing changes and ensuring ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered
• Commercial risk identification, mitigation and management

Change, Policy & SME advice

• Supporting category management maturity improvements by identifying opportunities to further enhance the value delivered by DDCmrcl
• Supporting continuous improvement and change management, using knowledge and experience to influence and embed good practice across the sourcing lifecycle
• Providing specialist advice on commercial policies and processes to other teams for e.g. delivery group

 Leading & Managing

• Potential line management responsibilities based on skill set and business requirement
• Providing coaching, support and leadership to junior team members; acting as a role-model and inspiring leader
• Champion, embed and promote Diversity & Inclusion as part of the DD Commercial team culture

Candidates are required to have CIPS level 4 or to commit to working towards this qualification as part of their role.

 All posts are full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable for the role in question.

Offers made to candidates below the required 37 hours (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority’s sole discretion 

Experience

• Can demonstrate experience of working in a commercial role supporting large sourcing projects, multi million pound service contract management and high value contract negotiation
• Experience in handling complex, medium sized contracts
• Experience in managing end to end procurement process for medium and large value contracts
• Practical experience and expertise in requirements gathering
• Practical experience in utilising market insight to aid strategic sourcing and contract management
• Robust commercial negotiation of commercial and contractual terms, pricing and discounts
• Practical experience and expertise in Contract management, including managing contracts from contract award to contract closeout
• Experience in delivering savings and benefits tracking
• Ability to analyse, interpret and draft contractual wording with a strong attention to detail

 Behaviours

• Collaborative individual with a positive attitude
• Proactive with solutions to complex issues
• Able to anticipate problems, provide creative solutions
• Able to effectively challenge stakeholders to deliver the right outcomes
• Flexible attitude and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Effective communicator, able to clearly articulate messages adapted to the needs of the audience
• Motivates and inspires and has the confidence of the team and their peers
• Build and maintain a working culture of mutual trust and inclusion
• Clear decision maker and takes accountability for decisions made
• Effective at prioritisation and managing workload and time effectively
• Embraces change and improvement
• Provide a quality service
• Deliver at pace, results and output orientated
• Takes ownership of own development and actively seeks to learn new skills which add value to the team

 Desirable

• Public sector procurement experience

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options (People Standards for the Profession – Commercial Practitioner)
• Contract & Supplier Management (People Standards for the Profession – Commercial Practitioner)

• An environment with flexible working options
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate
• A Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum will be payable to staff on attainment of CIPS Level 4 and the Commercial Licence Assessment (you will be supported in completing the Level 4 CIPS qualification with funding and time allocation)
• On-site parking, sports facilities, staff restaurant and coffee shops
• Learning and development tailored to your role including Mentoring and Job Shadowing
• A supportive and friendly Commercial Function
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. 

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Job contact :

• Name : Tracy Magner
• Email : Tracy.Magner962@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk