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 talented individuals who can manage our commercial portfolios; leading reviews of our most complex and novel programmes and projects; people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside multiple government departments and within the wider Cabinet Office Team.
Sitting in the Cabinet Office Strategy, Assurance and Standards (SAS) directorate, the Commercial Spend Controls team has an unparalleled level of visibility across all major commercial deals across Central Government, Arms Length Bodies (ALBs), Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), and the NHS. As one of the Senior Commercial Business Partners, you will have an opportunity to positively influence commercial outcomes across the largest and most complex procurements, by drawing on your experience and sharing best practice.
In your role you will provide commercial advice and recommendations on the cases within your portfolio to the Cabinet Office Minister responsible for spend controls; Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service; and the Government Chief Commercial Officer. As well as working across a number of departments and having sight of their commercial portfolios, you will work closely with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and HM Treasury, contributing to, and participating in high level NISTA reviews and Treasury decision making forums. You will drive continuous improvements across the commercial function through close collaboration with other central teams, such as Complex Transactions, Markets and Suppliers, andGovernment Digital Service.
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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a high profile role, advising Ministers and Senior Officials on the most complex and high value procurements and commercial deals. As a member of the Commercial Assurance team within the Strategy Assurance and Standards directorate, you will lead on the delivery of the Cabinet Office commercial spend controls and wider functional assurance, influencing spend of approximately £300bn per annum.
As a Senior Commercial Business Partner you will have a responsibility for managing a portfolio of departments across HM Government. The role will include: proactive management of commercial pipelines and leading assurance case reviews for projects above £20m; early engagement on control case submissions providing early stage specific advice; presentation of written submissions for assurance by either the Deputy Directors or to ministerial panel; and management and resolution of related conditions set for assured cases.
Using your excellent verbal and written communication skills you will be responsible for establishing relationships of trust with key stakeholders within your portfolio to enable you to conduct robust and constructive assurance and secure buy-in from stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be comfortable in a reactive environment and have an ability to work at pace. This role will require you to be able to digest and distill complex commercial information in clear and succinct terms to non commercial stakeholders; work collaboratively with other Cabinet Office controls teams; as well as regular engagement with National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and HM Treasury leads.
As a leader within the Government Commercial Function and the Cabinet Office, you will be expected to actively demonstrate positive values and behaviours. You may be required to manage one or more team members as well as mentoring and supporting new team joiners. You will also be an active member of the Commercial Assurance Senior Leadership Team, with an opportunity to directly plan, influence and shape how the work across all portfolios is carried out.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Ability to analyse commercial risks and understand margins of error in developing recommendations for Customers and/or key stakeholders.
• Ability to connect strategic goals with day-to-day operations, balance competing priorities, and ensure clear communication with stakeholders.
• Take personal responsibility; challenge and hold stakeholders to account, ensuring key messages are heard and understood. Create an environment that acts as a catalyst for continuous improvement.
• Have strong knowledge of Government Commercial and Procurement policies, with evidence of commercial lifecycle and procurement experience, delivering value for money across projects and contracts in the Public Sector.
• Be able to demonstrate experience of developing and managing relationships with senior stakeholders

IMPORTANT: IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION WITHIN 2 WORKING DAYS PLEASE CONTACT: COMMERCIALRESOURCINGHUB@CABINETOFFICE.GOV.UK

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Commercial