About the job

Summary

The Crown Prosecution Service is at the heart of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. We are a leading voice in transforming the criminal justice system, using our legal expertise and digital capability to make the public safer and build the confidence of our diverse communities. We are expanding and developing our Commercial Function to deliver a wide-ranging, transformative commercial strategy to ensure we have the best knowledge, expertise and experience to continue to support this vital work now and in the future.

The work of the Commercial team matters. We are central to delivering the CPS vision; sourcing and managing the best suppliers to deliver the highest quality services and unlocking innovation to drive transformation in service delivery. The Commercial work is varied, diverse and most importantly delivers real and immediate impact to our services and directly supports the work of our lawyers to deliver justice for victims and witnesses. Commercial are embedded in major transformation programmes that provide exciting opportunities to deliver complex commercial outcomes.

CPS puts people at the heart of everything we do. We passionately believe in empowering and developing our Commercial team, providing the support, training and qualifications required to grow in your role. It is important to us to recruit from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, bringing different perspectives, experiences and diversity of thought that adds wealth to our culture. It is an exciting time to join the CPS Commercial Function. These roles provide you with the opportunity to be at the heart of our transformation and make a real contribution to our future Commercial strategy. You will work with global suppliers, internal experts and passionate colleagues to deliver the best solutions for our world-leading services.

This role, operating in a fast-paced environment within the newly formed Contract Management team, will primarily support the management of strategic relationships with external suppliers delivering large-scale, multi-dependent, complex contracts, including both digital and non-digital services. We are seeking an individual who will bring their experience of operating within a complex contracting environment along with their desire to build strong relationships through strategic relationship management.

Please note that this role can be based in any CPS office location, however successful candidates must be prepared to travel to York/London as and when required.

Job description

To provide a professional commercial support service to our internal clients. This will include but is not limited to supplier financial standing assessments, providing advice on contractual matters, contract performance analysis, contractual obligations tracking and reporting on risks and issues.

Responsible for contract managing a portfolio of medium-low risk contracts, attending and leading review meetings, analysis of monthly management information, contractual dispute resolution, and managing supplier performance to achieve savings targets.

You will be expected to operative within the Contract Management Framework (CPS policy), utilising the tools and governance guides detailed within.

Developing and utilising relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to achieve the best possible outcome from service delivery arrangements.

Responsibilities

Provide procurement and contract management advice to suppliers, internal stakeholders and peers in relation to goods and services, pro-actively engaging with them to resolve disputes and develop future plans.

Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes.

Troubleshoot and resolve emerging issues where practical or escalate them where complexities arise, providing suggestions for progression and following through to conclusion as delegated by management.

Regularly review procedures or systems with teams to identify improvements and simplify processes and decision making.

Be willing to meet the challenges of difficult or complex changes, encouraging and supporting others to do the same.

Deputising for Lead Commercial Contract Manager.

There may be line management responsibility for contract administration personnel.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• MCIPS Level 4 or above; or relevant commercial experience.

Benefits

Employee Wellbeing Support, such as Mental Health First Aiders & Allies, Free Health Checks, Workplace Wellness Courses, and Healthcare access

• Volunteering Leave

• Cycle2Work scheme, Bike, Parking and Season Ticket Loans

• Access to CPS Reward Schemes

• Flexible Working and a family friendly approach to work

• Childcare vouchers outside and in addition to Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 1 privilege day

• Civil Service Pension

Working for the Crown Prosecution Service you will also gain access to a range of learning and development activities, including through Civil Service Learning and an individual learning account in addition to any central and local development opportunities and requirements.

This is a full-time post. However, requests for flexible, part-time working and job share will be considered, considering at all times the operational needs of the Department

The CPS has designed a specific Management Development Programme to support all new and experienced managers in developing the skills, behaviour and knowledge to build their confidence and capability. We strongly recommend that all new managers undertake the Developing Manager Programme, which has the added benefit of a Chartered Management Institute accredited Level 3 qualification in Principles of Management and Leadership.