About the job

Summary

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.

Job description

This role is focused on overall commercial management of key residential accommodation contracts; and there will be significant scope to take the lead on and the strategic development and implementation of the future delivery model. As this is a wide-ranging commercial role there will be the opportunity to work on a number of key areas including taking the lead on commercial negotiations and dispute resolutions, alongside analysing supplier performance data to help drive opportunities for further innovation and cost saving initiatives.

The successful candidates will be providing leadership to a small commercial team to ensure the successful day to day delivery of key operational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Leading on supplier and contract management ensuring adherence to the obligations under the contract;


• Ensuring robust management of commercial delivery against the contract;


• Work with the Residential Accommodation Team to support contract delivery in a range of residential accommodation for ex-offenders;


• Leading on complex commercial negotiations and claims to resolution;


• Lead on the development of robust contingency planning in line with strategic objectives and future delivery options;


• Delivery of continuous improvement and innovation to drive best practice and best value;


• Ensuring a robust approach to contract and commercial management within the team;


• Representing the team at delivery and Programme boards as necessary;


• Lead a team of commercial experts to ensure the requirements of our diverse stakeholder group are met.

Technical skills

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

• Market Insight - Public sector procurement knowledge, with the ability to learn quickly about new sectors (e.g. Justice sector);
• Commercial Focus - Complex commercial management experience that has been used to deliver commercial solutions that offer great value for money alongside strong customer outcomes;
• Builds Relationships - Ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, and to improve relationships through effective dispute resolution;
• Coaching Manager - The ability to effectively manage a commercial team, assisting with the development of individuals, offering the appropriate support and driving improvements in the commercial output of the overall team;
• Procurement Process - Experience identifying the most effective route to market which has then led to the successful delivery of major procurement.

Benefits

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.