FCAS Head of Commercial Enablement

at  Ministry of Defence

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.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Military Capability sits at the heart of the MOD’s major decisions. It is headed by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Capability) (DCDS(MilCap)), a 3-star military officer (equivalent to a Director General) with responsibility for taking a pan-Departmental view of MOD’s strategic balance of investment decisions and the Department’s financial planning rounds.
The Future Combat Air System Team sits within DCDS(MilCap)’s domain and is critical to UK military capability. FCAS supports Defence Tasks and wider National Security Objectives and is a key element of both the UK’s industrial base and our international partnering. The Future Combat Air directorate defines policy in line with the 2018 Combat Air Strategy, and enables Government decisions on investment, programme and partnering choices. The Director Future Combat Air provides leadership across the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Enterprise. He acts as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for both the FCAS Acquisition Programme and Technology initiative Programme.
This position is ideal for an able and ambitious candidate who is looking to expand and refine their skillsets in a demanding environment. Working in a joint team of civilian and military staff the successful candidate will be provided with an exciting opportunity to experience decision making at the very highest levels of Defence and gain a unique insight into cross-government working; including potential engagements with the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and International and Industrial partners and stakeholders.
In this role, you will lead the Enablement team, within the Commercial organisations. This role is an integral part of FCAS Commercial and will be a new position in the organisational structure.
This will involve driving the reporting, comms and process agenda for FCAS Commercial, which supports the day to day delivery of commercial activity. You will be accountable for the Commercial processes, which will include commercial revenue and working instructions. You will drive leading practice and continuous improvement across Commercial, including any digital enhancements (e.g. automation) and Commercial processes including any supporting tools and templates. You will drive a consistent and accurate approach to developing reports, fulfilling the in-scope requirements from across the business.
You will be the owner of the end-to-end Commercial process framework – driving a consistent approach across work packages.
You will be the key business partner for day to day operations with all commercial digital and system providers, maintaining a dialogue to ensure any challenges, failures or system upgrades are managed to avoid disrupting Commercial activity.
You will be responsible for maintaining all commercial master data requirements and processes, ensuring accurate real time data is available to support the decision making process and reporting.
In addition to the above, you will be a leader within the Commercial team and expected to support the Enablement team’s growth and development, creating opportunities to progress their role within the team.
MOD is committed to supporting alternative and flexible ways of working. The role will require regular attendance at the London Main Building but can otherwise work remotely or at one of our other FCAS hubs in Bristol or Reading. Part-time and job-sharing options can be considered for the right candidate in line with Business Needs.

The following is an outline of the key role duties and responsibilities; this may be amended as the function develops and expands. Post holders may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time. Key duties and responsibilities as follows:

• Maintaining and supporting improvement of the commercial processes, policies and procedures in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners.
• Overseeing team managing key BAU activity (e.g. administration activity, query resolution, support with PO management, reporting requirements etc.).
• Ensuring all commercial system capabilities are functional and meet user needs. Coordinate the work of systems and data analysis to ensure business needs are translated into solutions against identified timelines.
• Ensuring that all Commercial processes are in line with the agreed governance and policies. This will include guiding and educating the wider teams on the correct ways of working and making improvements if necessary.
• Maintain FCAS Commercial process framework and ensure consistent application of key processes and ways of working across the teams – working with them to drive updated learning as required.
• Responsible for the management of master data relating to commercial function, supporting the development of a new data capability to improve commercial reporting and insights management.
• Responsible for the range of commercial reports and ensuring these meet the needs of the audience.
• Supporting the overall understanding of commercial performance analysis, reporting on key KPIs.
• Working closely with the Commercial SLT to produce relevant reports for key stakeholders (e.g. SRO) and the wider Leadership group.
• Sharing knowledge and leading practice, to achieve better outcomes for FCAS Commercial.
• Stakeholder management and engagement with business owners, PMs and MOD agencies to ensure delivery of common purpose. Key stakeholders will include senior leaders within the Commercial Team and Business leads who interact with Commercial.
• Identifying training needs and opportunities for team development in order for FCAS to gain maximum value from Commercial.
• Develop the commercial team into the central hub for all issues relating to the Commercial across the FMC FCAS enterprise, engaging closely with programme, delivery, and strategy teams.

Military Capability actively seeks to provide an inclusive working environment which gets the best from every member of our team, and which recognises team members for their commitment and professionalism. We are a learning organisation in which you will be encouraged to develop your skills and knowledge, building on our wide range of work areas, and given support to develop your career on your own terms.
We seek and encourage diversity of thought, background, experience and approach. We also recognise that everyone has different personal and family commitments and encourage applications from those who require flexible working patterns.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• You will have experience of leading strategic relationships, including with UK defence industry and other Departments, to support programme delivery in a complex and political stakeholder environment.
• You will need to be comfortable working at all levels within an organisation – from the strategic to the operational, and have the energy, motivation and drive to deliver outstanding results over the next few years as the transformation in performance you will drive begins to bear fruit.
• You will ideally have experience identifying commercial risks and taking action to mitigate them.
• You will understand the importance of performance measures and reporting – taking pride in your achievements and not shying away from the challenge.
• You may have many years of experience and for you this role would represent an opportunity to operate with a degree of autonomy not often found in large corporate organisations. You will have the chance to bring your experience and skills to bear, as the pinnacle of your career to date.
• You may only have a few years in a senior role but are senior nonetheless - a high achieving star performer, looking for the chance to consolidate your experience of strategic relationships and managing performance through commercial constructs with your next big move. You would find a platform in this role to take your credentials, network and impact to the next level.Desirable
• Understanding of (or ability to assimilate quickly) public sector governance processes
• A good understanding of the principles of end-to-end commercial lifecycle management
• A good understanding of the key aspects of governance, commercial policy and relevant legislation
• Understanding of Commercial processes, policies and procedures in collaboration with key stakeholders

BEHAVIOURS

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,670, Ministry of Defence contributes £15,570 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
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.
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Things you need to know

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

Open to UK nationals only.

The following is an outline of the key role duties and responsibilities; this may be amended as the function develops and expands. Post holders may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time. Key duties and responsibilities as follows:

• Maintaining and supporting improvement of the commercial processes, policies and procedures in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners.
• Overseeing team managing key BAU activity (e.g. administration activity, query resolution, support with PO management, reporting requirements etc.).
• Ensuring all commercial system capabilities are functional and meet user needs. Coordinate the work of systems and data analysis to ensure business needs are translated into solutions against identified timelines.
• Ensuring that all Commercial processes are in line with the agreed governance and policies. This will include guiding and educating the wider teams on the correct ways of working and making improvements if necessary.
• Maintain FCAS Commercial process framework and ensure consistent application of key processes and ways of working across the teams – working with them to drive updated learning as required.
• Responsible for the management of master data relating to commercial function, supporting the development of a new data capability to improve commercial reporting and insights management.
• Responsible for the range of commercial reports and ensuring these meet the needs of the audience.
• Supporting the overall understanding of commercial performance analysis, reporting on key KPIs.
• Working closely with the Commercial SLT to produce relevant reports for key stakeholders (e.g. SRO) and the wider Leadership group.
• Sharing knowledge and leading practice, to achieve better outcomes for FCAS Commercial.
• Stakeholder management and engagement with business owners, PMs and MOD agencies to ensure delivery of common purpose. Key stakeholders will include senior leaders within the Commercial Team and Business leads who interact with Commercial.
• Identifying training needs and opportunities for team development in order for FCAS to gain maximum value from Commercial.
• Develop the commercial team into the central hub for all issues relating to the Commercial across the FMC FCAS enterprise, engaging closely with programme, delivery, and strategy teams