Associate Commercial Specialist – Submarine Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure

Job summary

This is an important time to join the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). You will be at the heart of critical defence issues, delivering against one of the Department’s top priorities.

The DNO was established in April 2016 to oversee all aspects of nuclear business within the MOD and across the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE). The DNE comprises the people that design, produce and maintain the submarines and nuclear warheads, and provide the necessary infrastructure and support. It includes the DNO and the Submarine Delivery Group (SDG), Royal Navy, UK Strategic Command, and Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). We also work with industry partners such as BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Babcock. DNE Commercial Functions provides commercial advice, guidance and operational support across the whole spectrum of DNE acquisition and commercial strategy, sourcing and contract management from the most senior levels down and across the Enterprise.

An opportunity to work in DNE Commercial has arisen and we are now seeking to appoint a skilled and experienced Associate Commercial Specialist to lead the Submarine Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure (SDDI) team.

We are interested to hear from applicants with strong commercial leadership and management experience and a track record of successful delivery of major infrastructure programmes in a highly regulated, safety-critical and operationally sensitive environments. We are looking for you to demonstrate a robust, commercial and dynamic approach to drive high-levels of performance in our supplier community and to deliver a portfolio of current and future programmes that are of paramount importance to the future security of the UK.

The role will demand active, hands-on leadership to build and sustain a range of partnerships with our strategic suppliers and the supply chain. To succeed the candidate needs to possess a combination of drive, determination and creativity to develop and implement commercial solutions for complex and challenging problems. You will need to be pragmatic, and capable of adapting best practices and standard approaches to achieve best outcomes for the enterprise.

The primary delivery location for this position is HMS Drake, Plymouth, and office attendance will be expected at least 3 days a week. Please be aware that some travel to the Rosyth Naval Base site in Scotland will be expected, as this is where the submarine Disposals team is based.

Job description

This role supports two key programmes within the SDG's In-Service Submarine Portfolio as a senior member of the Submarine Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure (SDDI) team:

1. The Devonport Infrastructure Programme’s overarching outcome is the delivery of integrated safe and functional waterfront capabilities in Devonport which meet the requirements of the Submarine Support Management Programme (SSMP), whilst also supporting submarine decommissioning, defuel and disposal. This requires a programme which is ‘designed for schedule’, where on-time delivery becomes the primary focus for delivery without compromising on safety.
2. The purpose of the Submarine Disposal Programme is to ensure a viable end-to-end process to dispose of all current and future submarines in a safe, timely and cost effective manner. The aim is to deliver the government’s commitment to provide a safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective dismantling solution for de fuelled, nuclear-powered submarines after they have left service – this means removing all radioactive waste from the submarines so that the submarines can be recycled. The Disposals team is based at the Rosyth Naval Base in Scotland and some travel to this site will be expected.

The successful candidate will provide experienced Commercial Expert level leadership within the SDDI team and is responsible for: pre-sourcing analysis, contract sourcing, contract management, corporate activities (i.e. policy), training and supplier relations, sales and disposals. Leading a complex portfolio of contracts, the Commercial Executive provides leadership of commercial colleagues and works collaboratively with other Professions and Senior Leadership to deliver business requirements and is responsible for commercial strategy development and wider business objectives and initiatives.

Typical responsibilities include:

Provide commercial vision and direction to own delivery team to ensure effective delivery of all SDA commercial activities and wider business outputs. Lead a team of commercial practitioners providing coaching, mentoring and development as required.

Lead the development of, and advise senior commercial staff on, acquisition strategies for procurements of varying risk and complexity.

Lead and oversee major competitive or single source procurements, including the development of commercial models and approaches, complex Invitations To Tender, negotiations and contracts requiring non-standard/ bespoke conditions.

Lead and/or support supplier relationship management, identifying and collating supplier data for SDA strategic and critical suppliers to inform supplier deep dives, supplier strategies and roadmaps, and Supplier Impact Assessment (SIA) reports.

Lead and/or support the Identification & launch of new pan MOD Category management categories and support Category Managers of MOD-wide initiatives.

Negotiate, place and manage contracts and contract amendments up to a maximum delegation of £100M in accordance with set guidelines outlined in the individual’s delegation letter and the MOD policy.

Manage complex contract portfolio with multiple supply chains. Lead contractor performance management assessments including delivering of contractual obligations.

Oversee and conduct assurance and due diligence of Commercial activity within own area of responsibility, enforcing adherence to Commercial policy. Participate in Peer Reviews as required.

Undertake wide ranging communications in a timely manner with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including Senior Leadership, suppliers and Subject Matter Experts.

Lead and advise the Profession in strategic activities related to improvement programmes or functional management

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.

Person specification

Essential Skills:

• Senior level experience of managing Sourcing and/or Contract Management activities on a large scale on highly complex projects or programmes.
• Experience of leading and managing large numbers of staff.
• Experience of engaging with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of working within an NEC4 contracting environment and/or holding formal NEC4 qualifications.
• If not already held, if successful you will be supported to undertake the following: CIPS Level 6/Chartered Status or Equivalent, or a willingness to work towards this by commencing study within one year of appointment. This will be funded and supported by SDA.
• Attend Government Commercial Organisation Assessment & Development Centre (Associate Commercial Specialist level) prior to Interview Experience in the development of commercial strategies for high value/risk, critical/complex procurements and playing a leading role in the negotiation, implementation and end to end delivery of these.

This role is reserved for British nationals and requires SC Clearance and further additional security clearances may be required in the future alongside additional read-ons with classified communities.

Technical skills

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

• Proven leadership of complex and large-scale commercial infrastructure activities in either the public or private sector, with evidence of having worked effectively as part of a wider leadership group.
• Articulates key strategic commercial goals for the programme and drives delivery by securing buy-in from the team and senior departmental stakeholders.
• Builds strong, constructive relationships at senior levels, establishing credibility with external stakeholders (industry, public bodies) and Whitehall departments to effectively deliver key programme outcomes.
• Skilled in building and leading high-calibre commercial teams by setting direction and culture. Manages civil servants and external advisers to deliver and oversee complex commercial transactions.
• Develop acquisition and commercial strategies; lead complex, high-value commercial negotiations to tight deadlines. Role requires non-traditional procurement and corporate finance solutions.
• Skilled in managing complex commercial arrangements for multi-party delivery, using a clear risk mindset to enable pragmatic delivery. Proven experience building and leading a resilient, high-calibre commercial team.

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.

Kindly refer to the following link for the GCF Rewards and benefits page.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/gcf-benefits/

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

Your application will be reviewed by a panel and should you be successful at sift we will invite you to attend a Virtual commercial Assessment and Development Centre (VADC). The panel will review results of the VADC and determine which candidates will go through to a subsequent final panel interview. Please note: Only candidates that achieve an A grade at ADC will be invited to interview for this role.

Please be advised that the Virtual ADC is taking place on the 1st of December 2026 and will require a full day's attendance.

If you are invited to attend a virtual ADC, but for any reason are unable to meet the date outlined then please get in touch with the team on commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible. The ADC is booked and paid for in advance by departments, therefore it is only in certain circumstances we are able to accommodate alternative dates.

For full details of our process, and a likely timeline, please read the attached candidate pack.

Throughout our selection process, we will make decisions about your capability to do the job, based on evidence you provide against the Technical Skills (essential criteria) and your Job History (CV) that you will be asked to provide during the application process. Further help and advice on our application and selection process can be found at this web address https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/gcf-how-to-apply/

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-re…
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.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Thomas McDonald
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should direct this to the Head of Commercial Resourcing Hub at the following email commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk quoting the vacancy reference number (if applicable) and the details of your complaint. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission via the following web page: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

Attachments

Guaranteed Interview Schemes (GIS) Opens in new window (pdf, 70kB)20261020 OFFSEN 487064 - Associate Commercial Specialist – Submarine Disposal and Devonport Infrastructure - Candidate Pack (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 444kB)