Job summary
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 through best-in-class contracts.
The GCO 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, striving 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.
Over the past few years, the former Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Commercial Team has been through a considerable period of positive transformation as we have grown to a team of 100+. Since a Machinery of Government change in February 2023, we have been the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This role in the DESNZ commercial team represents a truly unique opportunity to help shape and support the DESNZ commercial function as it supports the execution of multiple high priority Government objectives.
The role of Head of Commercial for the Net Zero Buildings and Industry portfolio will:
- Act as a key member of the Commercial management team, responsible for the strategy and operation of the commercial profession within the Department, and an ambassador for the commercial function.
- Lead the NZB&I Commercial team to help them achieve their own strategic objectives to achieve the targets and outcomes set out in a number of critical Government white papers, including the Ten Point Plan for an Industrial Revolution, the British Energy Security Strategy, the Energy White Paper, the Net Zero Strategy and Powering Up Britain.
- Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for DESNZ and across Government.
Job description
We currently operate a business partnering structure here in DESNZ Commercial. This means you and your team will partner with the Net Zero Buildings and Industry policy team (your primary stakeholders) and provide them with a commercial service, which covers the full procurement lifecycle, albeit currently with light touch contract management as that normally is carried out by the stakeholders themselves. You will be key in our journey to move from being seen as a procurement function to becoming trusted partners in more complex, challenging and exciting commercial work.
You will lead a team of 8 people, including 5 grade 7 direct reports, providing coaching, mentoring, direction and support across the team.
Locations:
The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of two days of your working time in this organisational workplace.
Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the two day attendance.
This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.
Person specification
- Line manage and lead a team of grade 7 Commercial Leads, supporting and developing the needs of immediate team and wider commercial colleagues.
- Develop, maintain and manage pipeline of activity for your stakeholder customer group, managing resources to deliver priorities.
- Manage commercial risk appropriately and strive to maximise commercial opportunities for DESNZ.
- Develop productive relationships with stakeholder teams Deputy Directors and their teams.
- Leverage the UKSBS procurement service, channeling work between your in-house team and the shared service centre at UKSBS.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Support the Department in delivering aspects of the Government Commercial Functions Define, Procure, Manage Commercial lifecycle, as set out in the GovS 008 Commercial Standard and the Grants Functional Standard. Deliver commercial activity across the Energy groups, including the conduct of compliant procurement processes leading to compliant contracts. Support on grant design and delivery, MoUs with OGDs and new types of investment that might involve taking equity stakes.
- Coaching, leading, managing and mentoring grade 7 team members as they deliver a large amount of commercial work which can be complex and challenging.
- Be responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of commercial advice (i.e. from commercial strategy to contract exit) both directly and through others.
- Work collaboratively with finance, project delivery and commercial legal to offer a seamless and integrated corporate service offering.
- Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders to ensure the commercial team is engaged early and throughout the commercial cycle, working collaboratively with policy teams.
- Develop a strong interface between the policy teams and your Commercial team.
- Deliver cashable savings to target and other financial/non-financial benefits.
- Create an inclusive culture and a working environment where everyones skills and talents are recognised, developed and valued.
- Champion Diversity and Inclusion across your team, wider Commercial and across DESNZ, ensuring it is embedded into the team culture.
- Promote and implement the best practices of the Sourcing Playbook and other key Cabinet Office publications, including Procurement Policy Notes and latest case law.
- Be a senior member of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer.
- Provide contract and supplier management assistance to policy teams where required.
- Report on your teams performance using accurate data from Jaggaer/Power BI and make decisions on strategy based on that data.
- Lead the reporting and escalation of risks for your team.
- Lead team members and policy teams successfully through all relevant governance.
- Focus on continuous improvement.
