Department:
Cabinet Office - Strategy, Assurance and Standards (SAS)
Job title:
Senior Commercial Business Partner
Location:
London, Norwich, York, Glasgow.
Existing Cabinet Office staff can apply for roles in any location and keep their current location.
Sitting in the Cabinet Office Strategy, Assurance and Standards (SAS) directorate, the Commercial Spend Controls team has an unparalleled level of visibility across all major commercial deals across Central Government, Arms Length Bodies (ALBs), Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), and the NHS. As one of the Senior Commercial Business Partners, you will have an opportunity to positively influence commercial outcomes across the largest and most complex procurements, by drawing on your experience and sharing best practice.
In your role you will provide commercial advice and recommendations on the cases within your portfolio to Ministers and Senior Officials. As well as working across a number of departments and having sight of their commercial portfolios, you will work closely with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and HM Treasury, contributing to, and participating in high level NISTA reviews and Treasury decision making forums. You will drive continuous improvements across the commercial function through close collaboration with other central teams, such as Complex Transactions, Markets and Suppliers, and Government Digital Service.
This is a high profile role, advising Ministers and Senior Officials on the most complex and high value procurements and commercial deals. As a member of the Commercial Assurance team within the Strategy Assurance and Standards directorate, you will lead on the delivery of the Cabinet Office commercial spend controls and wider functional assurance, influencing spend of approximately £300bn per annum.
As a Senior Commercial Business Partner you will have a responsibility for managing a portfolio of departments across HM Government. The role will include: proactive management of commercial pipelines and leading assurance case reviews for projects; early engagement on case submissions providing early stage specific advice; presentation of written advice to the Senior Official or Ministers; and management and resolution of related conditions.
The successful candidate will be comfortable in a reactive environment and have an ability to work at pace. This role will require you to be able to digest and distill complex commercial information in clear and succinct terms to non commercial stakeholders; work collaboratively with other Cabinet Office functional teams; as well as regular collaboration with National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and HM Treasury leads.
The CO Commercial Assurance team, as part of the Strategy, Assurance and Standards Directorate, is currently undertaking a change and transformation process in response to a number of initiatives, namely HMT RESET, further details of these changes can be found here. A call will be held on 25/03/26 AT 11.30am to answer questions. You can sign up using the Eventbrite link here.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Ability to analyse commercial risks and understand margins of error in developing recommendations for Customers and/or key stakeholders.
* Ability to connect strategic goals with day-to-day operations, balance competing priorities, and ensure clear communication with stakeholders.
* Take personal responsibility; challenge and hold stakeholders to account, ensuring key messages are heard and understood. Create an environment that acts as a catalyst for continuous improvement.
* Sound knowledge Government Commercial / Procurement policies & procedures. Proven commercial lifecycle / procurement experience with track record of delivering VfM across procurement projects/contracts. Can demonstrate Public Sector commercial acumen
* Be able to demonstrate experience of developing and managing relationships with senior stakeholders.
For further role information, download the detailed candidate pack and to apply, please submit an application via Civil Service Jobs ref: 452910 11:55 pm on Thursday 26th March 2026
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