Commercial Lead – Networks

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 MOD commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

Defence Digital 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 200-person strong team. 

Within these five categories sits Networks and it is here where the opportunity sits for Commercial Leads to come into the team into two distinct areas:

1. Fixed Networks (x2 roles) – which is the heart of the team with the core network and is where the delivery of Next Generation Communication Network is driven from which is itself at the heart of MOD’s digital backbone. This team focuses on the procurement of Network Services – ranging from WAN through to LAN/Wifi encryption and gateways.
2. Strategic Services (x1 role) – this team enables the delivery of beyond line of site strategic communication systems across the radio spectrum often at higher security classifications. It will be a requirement to secure DV for most new roles in this team.

A bit about the Networks Category

The team is responsible for managing c£7.6bn total contract value (c£580m spend pa).

Key contracts at Official include:

Global Connectivity and DFTS – core fixed networks contracts with WAN, LAN/WiFi and Gateways

Integrated User Services – telecoms contract with services from voice/video and mobile services

Key strategic suppliers include:

BT and Fujitsu 

Key programmes include:

Next Generation Communications Networks (NGCN) – which is intended to consolidate, modernise and then disaggregate the current contract arrangements MOD current has in place with the aim to save c£100m a year in run costs. The programme aims include the need to increase MOD’s network resilience.

Future Integrated User Services (F-IUS) – which is intended re-procurement telecoms into a number of market facing bundles ranging from Mobile Devices and Airtime, Mobile Device Management and Fixed Voice Services as well as services required at higher classification.

Strategic Services – where you will be involved in the cutting edge of delivering resilient network capability.

The role will involve all aspects of the procurement cycle and is ideally suited for a creative commercial thinker ideally.  Ideally candidates will come with experience in a commercial digital environment, but it is not essential.   

CIPS 

All successful candidates must be or willing to work towards CIPS Level 6 accredited/hold MCIPS within three months of taking up your post. 

Clearance

All roles require SC before commencement of posts and may be required to be DV cleared once in post.

• Stakeholder engagement and management – Building influential internal relationships to ensure that commercial objectives are fully understood, articulated and embedded
• Commercial management – overseeing a sub-set of the Networks portfolio by leading the commercial approach, ensuring commercial processes are understood by stakeholders, executing commercial deliverables, taking responsibility for the success of the commercial aspects of the overall project. Commercial delegation of up to £20M
• Supplier relationships – To build effective relationships with current and future suppliers.  Enabling the market to better understand our requirements and ensuring that we build healthy, mutually beneficial relationships that deliver the right solutions at competitive prices
• Contract Management – The effective management of potentially large size, long term contracts ensuring that value is delivered over the term of the contract and that exit/recompete/extension actions are strategically planned and executed
• Collaboration – Close working with other category, finance and project leads, within MOD and Government Commercial Function teams, to develop a strategic approach to Defence technology spend
• Cost-saving initiatives – overseeing such initiatives across your portfolio to identify opportunities to increase the overall value delivered to Defence
• Risk analysis – proactively anticipating potential commercial risks, mitigating actions and providing expert commercial advice
• Leadership – taking the lead during contract negotiations including price and contract terms, understanding the appropriate levers available and able to develop a structured negotiation plan. Cognisant of contract law and able to apply in contractual discussions
• Line management – overseeing teams, acting as a positive and proactive role model, providing coaching and support for individuals and the team

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

• Manages Complexity – Experience of working on very large contracts with complex commercial structures to ensure value for money is achieved. Experience of working within a complex organisational structure
• Commercial Focus – Playing Value for money at the heart of everything they do and ensuring the commercial benefits of any decision is well articulated and understood
• Procurement Process – Manages procurements setting out the timeline, risks, mitigations & deliverables, involving other professionals and teams when needed. Leads negotiations with data & evidence & for some contracts acts as the signing authority
• Contract and Supply Management – Experience of the strategic management of high value and critical contracts/supplier relationships to mitigate risk, maximise performance and deliver continuous improvement

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