Commercial Manager (Permanent)

We work at the heart of the justice system to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everybody.

About the Commercial and Contract Management Directorate (CCMD)

The CCMD supports some of the most innovative commercial work in government, managing over £4bn of contracted spend per year. Its work is crucial to the successful delivery of the £1.3bn prison reform and £700m court reform programmes. The team is responsible for unique justice contracts such as prisoner escort services, electronic tagging and probation, as well as services such as IT, prison food and uniforms.

Being part of a larger commercial team means great opportunities for sharing best practice and exciting career prospects. You’ll also enjoy good work-life balance, with the chance to work both flexibly and remotely.

What you’ll do

You’ll join us in one of the following categories:

• Probation Services or Prison Education

Prison Education is an exciting new portfolio of commercial work within CCMD Rehabilitation Services. Your main task will be contract management, which involves liaising with third party suppliers. As well as developing and maintaining good working relationships with various contacts, you’ll ensure that commercial practice controls are observed.

Procuring today and tomorrow’s Probation Services is a big responsibility. As part of this team, you’ll handle the strategy, sourcing and management of key contracts and services. You’ll take the lead on commercial activities, performing due diligence and market management. And you’ll be a central contact for a variety of stakeholders. 

• Digital & Technology

CCMD’s Digital & Technology Team leads commercial activity on one of the most exciting portfolios within the Ministry of Justice. It currently manages contracts valued in excess of £2.1b involving circa 170 suppliers including a number of Blue Chip and FTSE 100 companies. As a Commercial Manager, you’ll find that every day is different. You’ll be dealing with day-to-day issues one day and shaping the next generation of portfolio services the next. Whatever the task, you’ll be supporting the development of innovative tech solutions.

In this key role, you’ll take on a range of commercial activities. Most will involve applying business acumen and forging good relationships. In many ways, you’ll be a central point of contact, advising senior Ministry figures while connecting stakeholders and the supply chain. You’ll also put in place complex policy and governance procedures, making sure they’re understood by all parties.

• Estates

The Ministry of Justice has one of the largest and most complex estates within Central Government with 150 prisons and over 400 courts and tribunal buildings. You’ll support the Commercial Lead with contract management across a large and diverse site portfolio. You’ll focus mostly on the competition stage, but also tackle other stages of the contracting cycle. The key is to build strong relationships with stakeholders including third party suppliers. Good with people and great in a team, you’ll manage contract administration and give expert advice.

• Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)

As a Commercial Manager, you’ll be part of the team that’s responsible for interpretation and translation contracts. The Ministry needs interpreters for face-to-face, telephone, video remote, non-spoken and written translation, as well as quality assurance services.

It’s a chance to manage at least one critical and high-profile ‘Gold’ contract, with the help of operational contract management teams. Day-to-day, you’ll look for ways to innovate, manage commercial risk and exposure, and increase value for money. We’ll expect you to develop strategies at contract level and establish our approach to Supplier Relationship Management (SRM). Success depends on your ability to forge relationships with stakeholders, including third party suppliers.

• Custodial Services

The CCMD Custodial Services team deals with high-profile, outsourced operational services: Prisoner Escort and Custody Services; Privately Managed Prisons; and Victim Services (Grants). As a Commercial Manager, you’ll need to think up new ideas, give good advice and ensure that decisions bring value for money.

Taking charge of strategy at contract level, you’ll look for commercial opportunities. We’ll expect you to strive for continuous improve and drive best practice within your categories. To define contract requirements and manage procurement strategies, you’ll need to work with a wide range of stakeholders. That means building relationships with everyone from senior directors to third party suppliers.

• Financial Services or Security

The Financial Services team is responsible for the procurement and commercial management of over 30 vital contracts. Through these contracts, we manage £250m of investments, provide a range of insurance and bond services, manage judicial pension schemes and facilitate the payment of fees and fines, totaling over £400million.

Our Security team is responsible for a wide range of goods and services – everything from risk detection and prevention equipment such as body scanners and X-ray machines, to physical security equipment including body worn cameras.

As a Commercial Manager, you’ll lead pre-procurement and sourcing activity as well as contract implementation. You’ll also be expected to develop strategy at contract level. It’s a challenge that involves analysing market spend and ensuring compliance with policy and legislation, but much of your success will depend on managing stakeholders, including third party suppliers.

What you’ll need

We’re looking for people with a relevant degree or membership of a professional body such as MCIPS, RICS (for Estates only) or IACCM. We’ll also welcome your application if you’re not qualified but willing to work towards this. Whatever your background, you’ll have the key personal qualities and relevant experience required.

What happens next

As part of the selection process, we’ll assess you against our profiles in terms of Behaviours, Ability and Experience. If you’re successful, the next step will be an interview.

Apply

To join us, please apply now.