Commercial Deputy Director – Corporate Services

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) touches the lives of everyone in the UK in some shape or form, delivering services and support to help people find work, assist with a disability or provide support through their retirement.

As a key part of DWP, the Commercial Directorate (CD) shapes how services are delivered across hundreds of third-party contractual arrangements. CD has undergone a massive transformation exercise to develop into a world class Commercial function and is focused on continuously developing our achievement against Government Commercial Operating Standards.

This senior role represents a unique opportunity to join the leadership team in DWP commercial, one of the largest and highest performing commercial teams in central government. The DWP commercial team manages third party delivery providing services to 80 thousand staff and over 20 million customers, with an annual contracted spend of almost £3bn. Our purpose is simple, we will support DWP to achieve its objectives by ‘enabling effective and value for money delivery of DWP policies and programmes, driving better outcomes for citizens through best use of commercial partnering and third-party supplier delivery opportunities.’

The Department for Work and Pensions Commercial Directorate (CD) is utilising in an “end to end “category management model to support the Departments strategic objectives, change agenda and live running supplier management. In simple terms this means that individual CD team members own all aspects of the commercial lifecycle, from pre-procurement, through to sourcing (Tendering and Contracting) and In Life Management (including Contract Management and Supplier Relationship Management).

CD plays a crucial role in driving DWP’s efficiency agenda, half of DWP’s controllable costs is represented by third party spend. Early engagement with stakeholders and use of market intelligence and other insights are critical to delivering better commercial outcomes.

We work closely with Government Commercial Authority (GCA) previously Crown Commercial Services (CCS) who bring together policy, advice and leveraged multi-client buying. Where appropriate we use GCA contracting vehicles to take advantage of cross government leverage and reduced procurement cycle times.

Job description

We are seeking a Commercial Specialist (SCS1 Deputy Director) to lead the Commercial Automated Buying, Business Services & External Resources (ABBSER) Category (who deliver many of our corporate services requirements).

You will act as Senior Commercial Business Partners (SCBPs) to Business Stakeholders, assure commercial outcomes and be part of the Senior Leadership Team in delivery of CDs strategic objectives.

You will be required to lead teams in developing commercial strategies, providing commercial advice, and supporting stakeholders when managing complex procurements and contracts within the categories.

The ABBSER category was newly formed in Sept. ’24 and manages a wide portfolio of complex cross functional contracts with over £1.3b in contract spend and substantially rising in the interim with the 4-year requirement to meet the 2030 Transformation objective. The team is made up of 3 sub-category teams covering: Business Services, Consultancy & Professional (C&P) Services and External Resourcing.

The business services team is central to supporting the operation of DWP, delivering and managing critical contracts, including Travel, Fleet, Occupational Health, Employee Support, and key Research contracts.

The consultancy and professional services team procure external ‘consultancy’ resources to provide expert advice and guidance. Typically filling a knowledge gap and identifying options and making recommendations without assisting in the implementation of solutions. The arm of ‘Professional Services’ specialise in delivery of technical services (PMO, legal, finance, among others) that usually involve actual delivery as against advice.

The external resource team source and manage the Public Sector resourcing contract and a series of contracts for specialist practise led Digital resources. 90% of DWP’s external resources purchased is for Digital Group therefore the 2030 Vision is for DWP to take greater control and ownership of its work force allocations, and our category strategy will drive efficiencies via aggregation and consolidation focusing on longer term arrangements and leverage DWP’s buying power with the external resource market. ​This role also covers the design and implementation of automated buying solutions.

You will work with challenging timescales, delivering core services as well as supporting and leading Government Transformation activities linked to the wider 2030 Strategy. You will use your strong verbal and written communication skills to build trusting relationships with stakeholders.

As a member of the Indirect and CD leadership team, you will role model positive values and behaviors; identify areas for collaboration across the commercial team(s); and manage team resources in both a direct and matrix management style. You will be expected to have a key role in coaching and developing other staff within the team and wider commercial function. You will also drive continuous improvements across the commercial category through collaboration as well as working across a number of departments to share best practice.

Interviews will take place face-to-face in Manchester.

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

• Lead on commercial sourcing strategies, delivering the pipeline of commercial projects across the Stakeholders business portfolio, ensuring continuity of supplier service, and timely delivery of new requirements.
• Manage strategic suppliers and contracts, build positive relationships that address strategies and deliver effective performance management.
• Lead a team of c. 30 commercial colleagues ensuring commercial capability and skills are built and developed, empowering colleagues through coaching, mentoring and sharing expertise and knowledge, compliantly deliver an annual ‘run’ portfolio spend of £350m.
• Influence key decision making within Digital / Wider DWP Business, having an influential voice in shaping their long-term strategy, along with the wider DWP Transformational portfolio.
• Continue to build an inclusive and supportive team culture, with colleague well-being at the forefront.
• Deliver and contribute against an annually agreed savings target for the Category portfolio, managing this target through performance management of Commercial teams and suppliers; working collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Continuously build category expertise and knowledge to deliver category plans and strategies that deliver high quality commercial procurement outcomes, whilst ensuring value for money.
• Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, driving departmental performance, sponsoring and leading on key initiatives.
• Be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform Programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer.
• Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for DWP and across government.
• Be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer;
• Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the DWP and across government.

Key relationships will include:

• Commercial Directorate Senior Leadership Team.

• Finance Group senior leaders.

• DWP Executive Team.

• DWP Departmental Board.

• Depending on role – DWP Digital / All DWP Business functions.

• Permanent Secretary and Ministerial Private Offices.

• HM Treasury; Cabinet Office; Government Commercial Function.

• Government Commercial Authority ((GCA) – previously Crown Commercial Service) and other Government Departments.
• Extensive breadth of Suppliers.

Technical skills

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

• Proven track record of understanding risk and adopting a mindset that protects the interests of the business, achieving best results whilst making appropriate risk-based decisions.
• Experience in leading the resolution of complex issues in a challenging and fast paced environment, with proven ability through experience in personal resilience and competing demands and in support of their teams.
• Experience of influencing decisions at senior levels, building effective relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers within a highly complex, fast moving, commercial and financial focused environment.
• Proven track record of team development, achieving results (both financial and other) through successfully building capability at all levels within a commercial function.
• Experience of driving innovation and delivering overall best value for money, by leading teams in a regulated end-to-end procurement environment, utilising Public or Utilities Contract Regulations. (Lead Criteria)

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 23rd of July 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/

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

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 : Ashlene Doherty
• 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)_20260527 OFFSEN - 463887 - Commercial Deputy Director – Corporate Services - Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 661kB)