Defence Digital Commercial - Senior Commercial Manager - Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 21st October 2024
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Procurement and Contracts Management
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.
Defence Digital is responsible for delivering and integrating new digital capabilities, giving our forces the advantage on the cyber battlefield to combat an ever-evolving threat.
In support, Defence Digital Commercial is building a centre of procurement excellence, focusing on getting the best outcomes across all our contracts. We are developing a more strategic approach to supplier relationship management and implementing new ways of working that will embed good practice category management.
We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
This job is for a Senior Commercial Manager to join the Software Category within the sub-category team for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The AI Team, paired with the Digital Foundry, is a new sub-category team and is going from strength to strength. The portfolio is a significant growth area for Defence and is looking for highly motivated commercial professionals to help us mature as a category.
The team has been set up to enable MOD to harness the game changing power of AI through accelerating adoption and scaling the impact of AI. Joining the team is an opportunity to help pioneer cutting-edge AI solutions to real world problems, directly impacting the security and protection of the UK.
We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to join our team, specialising in sourcing and contract management within a dynamic fast-paced and agile environment. You will be responsible for your own portfolio of procurements and contracts, reporting directly to the Commercial Lead. The role will also have Line Management responsibilities.
You will lead on sourcing a range of complex and high-value procurement projects, contract negotiations and ensure governance with government regulations. You will be empowered to think creatively and own the commercial strategies for a variety of procurement projects to enable MOD to be AI ready by 2025. The role requires strategic oversight of supplier relationships and delivering value for money, whilst adapting to shifting priorities and maintaining operational effectiveness.
We are looking for a person who:
- Is a team player and sees the added value that a team contribution to achieving results can bring
- Demonstrates energy and personal drive to deliver business outputs
- Responsive, innovative and seeks out opportunities to effect creative change
- Flexible and adaptable to meeting business priorities, and accepts that these are often subject to change
- Builds positive and effective relationships that enable both commercial and/or project team goals to be delivered.
- Willingly contributes commercial advice and judgement in the acquisition process
- Empowers others
- Fair, honest and transparent in all personal and professional activities
- Seeks continuous improvement and builds it into a personal development plan
The post advertised is full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority's sole discretion.
Person specification
Previous experience of sourcing, delivering, and managing contracts.
Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.
Experience of leading, managing and developing others.
Ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships.
See Terms of Reference for further information.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- People Standards for the Profession - Understanding Sourcing Needs and Options - Associate Commercial Lead
- People Standards for the Profession - Contract and Supplier Management - Associate Commercial Lead
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate
- Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum, payable to staff on attainment of CIPS Level 4 and commercial licence assessment
- Fully funded training for professional qualifications with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a global membership organisation
- MOD Corsham has on site parking, staff restaurant, coffee shops, sports facilities including fully equipped 24/7 gym for a fraction of the cost of a commercial gym. Classes run daily by fully trained PT instructors.
- MOD Corsham is a modern building surrounded by countryside, perfect for lunchtimes walks.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Applications will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and suitability statement. Please complete the CV section setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements. You must also complete a suitability statement (of no more than 1250 words). This is your opportunity to provide us with additional information that highlights relevant achievements and experience, and the required skills and behaviours listed in this advertisement that make you suitable for the role.
Note: you will NOT be able to attach your CV as a separate document. Applicants may use AI when preparing documents, but the content must be factually accurate.
At interview stage:
You will have the opportunity to provide further detail supporting your application, specifically relating to the Skills (People Standards for the Profession - Associate Commercial Lead) and Behaviours (CS Behaviours - Level 3).
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
During the interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours and technical skills:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options
- Contract & Supplier Management
Candidates invited to interview will be required to deliver a short (5 minute) presentation on the topic: 'What makes a good Leader?'
Interviews are planned to take place from week commencing 4 November 2024.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : UKStratComDD-CM-COO-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk
- Email : UKStratComDD-CM-COO-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
info@csc.gov.uk.
