Commercial Policy Lead

Department
Government Property Agency
Closing Date
2 March 2025 11:55 pm
Salary
£72,000 to £79,198 + GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 15% performance-related-pay available on accreditation.
Location
Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds

We are looking for a Commercial Policy Lead to join our team who will play a critical role in developing and delivering commercial policy, guidance, a commercial toolkit, upskill and inform and support commercial colleagues on emerging issues and work with our governance structure to ensure compliance.

You will work closely with other commercial leads in the team to provide a joined-up approach to commercial performance.  The implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 will mean that you will be at the heart of implementation of the new act alongside supporting PCR 2015.  You will work closely with Cabinet Office and drive forward improvements that increase compliance with CO Commercial spend Controls and develop a commercial tool kit and policies that bring all of these elements together.

Your role will support the delivery of an end-to-end progressive scrutiny model from Business Case review, through the whole procurement lifecycle, as cases progress through internal Governance and onwards through CO Commercial Spend Control approval process. This position provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into a diverse range of procurements, across different categories and complexities, building a strong risk mindset and commercial knowledge.

The post holder will become the focal point for driving commercial policy into GPA, providing expert advice and guidance.

Important: Applicants must be either CIPS qualified or working towards, willing to work towards to be eligible to remain in this post.

You will line manage a commercial support officer.

  • Support the development of the commercial toolkit and supporting policies.
  • Oversee the design, implementation and integration of the commercial toolkit ensuring it integrates with existing systems and processes.
  • Ensure prevailing and new procurement legislation requirements are sufficiently understood across Commercial GPA to be applied.
  • Be responsible for linking up with relevant cross-government commercial policy forums to ensure GPA is aligned and implementing emerging changes.
  • Nurture relationships with internal stakeholders and external stakeholders to benefit the role and wider GPA activity. Identifying key trends or tackling points of concern within your portfolio, for example lessons learned, capability development, and training.
  • Ensure commercial policy, guidance and toolkits can support commercial activity and any reporting needs.
  • Lead initiatives to deliver improvements, including ideas for innovation and bringing your experience to this area.
  • Work with users to ensure delivery and improvements meet not only user needs but align with the commercial lifecycle, compliance reporting, and Cabinet Office Central Digital Platforms.
  • Drive continuous improvement and underpin commercial performance reporting and dashboards for a range of stakeholders including senior management.
  • Act as a commercial policy expert for the commercial team and provide clear direction when possible. Supporting the team on procurements and contractual matters, as they arise, providing guidance and advice to colleagues.
  • Ensure that commercial systems support delivery compliant and effective commercial policy and support of the full commercial lifecycle.
  • Ensure data quality and management information usage across GPA commercial and the wider GPA agency accurately reflects commercial policy and wider compliance requirements.
  • Develop and deliver training and/or guidance to build the agencies and users’ capabilities and skills. Producing guidance, How-Do-I guides or videos to support understanding and self-service against commercial policy.
  • Provide outstanding leadership, enabling effective delivery and supporting professional and personal development. Contribute to creating a great workplace, championing diversity and inclusive ways of working.

This role will be responsible for ensuring commercial policy and toolkits, governance and compliance is adopted and becomes business as usual. The role will also support specific initiatives defined by the Head of COO and Finance Commercial. These could cover contract management, governance, category management, blueprints and new emerging policy direction.

In this role, you will be required to act on your own initiative, lead and drive your portfolio of projects and services, and engage and influence key stakeholders within your areas of responsibility.

You will be expected to maintain solid relationships and provide advice and guidance on commercial best practices across the Commercial Directorate and wider department.

 

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 60% 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 60% 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.