Commercial Business Manager - Commercial Governance & Policy Category

Job summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 9 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability network group, Employee Assistance, Representatives, FACES Network Group, LGBT+, Mind Matters, Part Time Workers, The Shed - Men’s Network Group and Women’s Network Group.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, through our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

We are looking for an individual with Commercial experience and a desire to develop a career in the Commercial function. You will drive best Commercial practise across the organisation, and help shape “how we do business” as a Function to deliver our portfolio of activities. This role provides a unique opportunity to see across the full breadth of what we do, and add value through robust planning, data analysis and governance.

Job description

The Insolvency Service (INSS) – part of the Department for Business and Trade - is critical to the proper functioning of markets and the economy in general. We are a government agency that helps to deliver economic confidence by supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximizing returns to creditors. We maintain the standards that help make Britain one of the best places in the world to do business.

The Commercial Function is small – c.25 people – but we punch above our weight in terms of functional excellence and delivery. The team were Team of the Year finalists at the GCF Awards, and consistently exceed targets. Our CCIAF scores match or surpass those of large departments.

The Commercial team sits in the Finance & Commercial Directorate, reporting to the Head of Commercial and the Finance & Commercial Director.

Within the Commercial Governance and Policy Category, we are responsible for developing, implementing and managing Commercial policies and processes to ensure functional compliance and excellence in delivery. The team manages our e-sourcing system, Procure to pay processes, Commercial administrative functions and reporting (both internally and externally).

A key aspect of the role is leading the interface between the team and the wider Business via our Commercial Front Door and the demand planning process. We develop the pipeline of work (BAU and Projects) and track delivery and quality against it, providing intelligence and insights for the team and our wider stakeholder including our Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Grade 7 Head of Commercial Governance and Policy you will be responsible for leading on the development and future maintenance of our Commercial Business Management function, owning the Commercial Front Door, Commercial Pipeline and Capacity Planning activities. You will develop methods to capture and use data across the Function in an efficient and repeatable way including key risks and issues. The role will also take responsibility for managing our reporting requirements, our internal commercial approvals board, Commercial risk register and communicating/escalating risks accordingly.

The role is key within the Agency to providing relevant and efficient Commercial support for stakeholders, driving Commercial best practice throughout the Agency and creating an environment and processes to allow innovation in sourcing, driving Value for Money.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for the following key areas:

• Commercial Business Management – Developing the Commercial Front Door process, continuously improving it to meet the changing needs of the agency. This is the primary point of contact for all new requests, triaging and liaising with the business to support quality requirements and completion of relevant Governance up-stream to enable efficient sourcing by Commercial Business Partners. The post holder shall be responsible for identification and sourcing training for stakeholders based on trends identified through this process
• Commercial Pipeline Development and Management (demand planning) – Maintaining an up to date Commercial Pipeline within our e-Sourcing system, using Front Door data and information from wider Agency planning forums. Assigning work to the relevant Category team and producing summary information for stakeholders
• Capacity Planning – Developing the Capacity model for the Commercial Team, mapping the Pipeline into the model and monitoring and prioritising Commercial activity against the Capacity model
• leading on commercial reporting requirements and finding ways to develop them, including efficiencies for producing reports and enabling self service (utilisation of Power-Bi as an example)
• managing (as Secretariat) the Commercial Approvals Board (CAB), a requirement to be used for all £2m plus commercial activity
• meeting compliance requirements across the Agency, DBT, Cabinet Office, GDS and HMT and demonstrating adherence to Government Commercial Operating Standards and GCF People Standards
• Risk and Opportunity Management – develop and maintain commercial risk / opportunities log across the service producing reports where required
• support with undertaking Commercial Assurance (where required) to ensure work is being delivered across operational categories in line with policy and processes
• supporting the Communication of new / changed requirements to the wider Commercial team and sharing best practice
• support development of, review and maintenance of Commercial policy and process including the development of a Statement of Requirement Policy and production of standard operating procedures (SOP) to drive consistency across the teams
• developing and sustaining relationships with internal stakeholders including the Agency ELT and external stakeholders including, DBT, Cabinet Office, GDS and GCA
• line management of an EO

Person specification

The ideal candidate will :

• be a confident and experienced commercial professional with proven category management experience, who is flexible and adaptable, able to work autonomously or as part of a team. A strong communicator, able to challenge stakeholders and influence decisions up to Director level.
• be a conscientious professional, astute and aware of the context of their work, particularly around risks and opportunities.
• have experience in applying public sector procurement rules, governance and controls including Digital spend controls (eg. Cabinet Office, GDS, HMT);
• have experience in working with multi-functional teams, providing commercial expertise to develop and deliver sourcing and procurement strategies, evaluation plans and fit for purpose contracts;
• have a strong, demonstrable recent working knowledge of Public Sector Frameworks – particularly Government Commercial Agency, Government procurement processes and procedures, governance and compliance requirements and operating standards.
• have the ability to identify and drive efficiencies (including savings) and delivering against performance targets;
• be someone who is willing to share experiences and knowledge with colleagues, to the benefit of the wider commercial team and the agency as a whole.
• be keen to “make a difference” to the agency. Our expertise and advice directly shape the strategy and operating models of the Insolvency Service.

Essential Criteria:

• experience of Business Management, including ability to capture data, manipulate and analyse with reports produced. This needs to be actioned efficiently.
• excellent stakeholder management skills;
• excellent Microsoft Power BI or Excel skills for management and reporting of Commercial data

Desirable Criteria:

• CIPS qualified (IACCM or specialist degree may be considered as an alternative), or working towards the qualification is desirable but not essential

Please note: This vacancy is open to external candidates nationwide; however, roles in Croydon and Stratford are restricted to internal applicants only.

Qualifications

Experience of Business Management, including ability to capture data, manipulate and analyse with reports produced. This needs to be actioned efficiently

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Commercial Business Management Acumen within the Public Sector assessed at Interview via response to a question.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,429, Insolvency Service contributes £14,029 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

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 Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV

• Personal Statement

• Behaviours

• Behaviour 1 – Managing a Quality Service

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

CV Guidance

Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.

Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 1000 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, as well as any desirable criteria. This will help provide a clearer basis for scoring and will be particularly useful in the event of tied scores.

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

• Behavioural Competencies - assessed through:

• Behaviour 1 - Managing a Quality Service

• Behaviour 2 - Communicating and Influencing
• Behaviour 3 - Making Effective Decisions
• Technical Skills

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c 06 July 2026

Interview – w/c 22 July 2026

Location - MS Teams

Your interview will either be conducted by video. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Visa Applicants
To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to IS 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via insolvencyrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland/ on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

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 : James Leadbeater
• Email : James.leadbeater@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process or that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact hr.recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Applying for a Job - A Candidate Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 3061kB)Insolvency Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 6509kB)