Details Reference number 346780 Salary £76,125 - £97,760 GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 15% performance-related-pay available on accreditation. GBP Job grade Grade 6 Associate Commercial Specialist Contract type Permanent Business area GCF - Department for Transport Type of role Commercial Working pattern Annualised hours, Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location The Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham B4 6AT/ 7&8 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP/ Ellipse Building, Padley Road, Swansea SA1 8AN/ One Priory Square, Priory Street, Hastings TN34 1EA. Occasional travel to other office locations, suppliers or sites required. 60 % Office attendance expected About the job Job summary Transport is the pulse of our nation, intricately woven into our daily lives and connecting every facet of our society. The Department for Transport stands as a key player in this intricate network, overseeing a substantial £120 billion in contracted spend, with over £600 million directly invested. Beyond numbers, we are architects of the future, shaping the way people move and interact. As we navigate towards a greener future, our commitment to a safe and technologically advanced transport system becomes more pronounced. The imminent release of our Transport Artificial Intelligence strategy signals a shift towards innovation, making this a pivotal moment to join us. Step into a workplace defined by Confidence, Excellence, and Teamwork. The Department for Transport isn't just an organization; it's a space where possibilities unfold. If you're intrigued by the intersection of technology, impactful numbers, and shaping the future, consider this an invitation to be part of something significant. The Commercial Relationship Management (CRM) team is a pivotal player in the procurement and contract management activities. It handles sourcing processes across all transport modes and corporate functions for the Department. It operates within the Group Commercial Directorate, it extends its services to various entities, including High Speed 2, Network Rail, National Highways, Maritime and Coastguard, and DVLA, in alignment with Government Commercial Function (GCF) standards. The Head of Digital CRM, a newly established role, will lead a team of six sourcing professionals, with two positions currently in the recruitment process. This role, born from the growing recognition of the strategic importance of the digital agenda, is critical and demanding. Directly serving the Departments Digital Services team, it tackles core issues like infrastructure and systems through commercial solutions. The role also supports policy teams with commercial solutions for projects such as the Blue Badge scheme and Aviation Security. This fast-paced position requires effective, high-speed work, blending a customer focus with the authority to ensure legal commercial obligations are met. The team, under this role's leadership, is also responsible for supporting the IT strategies form commercial side, including on Artificial Intelligence (AI) use, and working with top-level consultants in AI solutions. Operating in a matrix environment within the Commercial Operations and Data, Digital and Technology (DDaT) Division, the Digital CRM team will collaborate with colleagues in commercial systems, data analytics, and the CRM Division. This collaboration aims to ensure an efficient, effective, and consistent working approach. The Head of Digital CRM will apply leadership skills to enhance the capabilities of the expanded team. Responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of 160 sourcing and procurement projects of varying value and complexity, the Head will ensure timely and compliant execution, whilst delivering high value-for-money. The role holder will ensure the team members adhere to the Government Commercial Function (GCF) standards, controls, and public procurement regulations. Comprehensive training on new procurement regulations will be provided to all commercial staff. The role holder will promote a top-class use of the commercial systems. Close collaboration with stakeholders and business owners across the entire Department is essential. The Head of Digital CRM will lead the formulation of the Digital and Technology category strategy. This strategic initiative will align seamlessly with the Department's long-term direction, accounting for the entire internal and external stakeholders community. The category strategy will serve as the cornerstone for defining and managing the project pipeline, contributing to an enhanced delivery of value for money. In addition, the Head will actively foster collaboration with Commercial teams within the Departments Agencies and ALBs, facilitating cross-organizational synergy in digital and technology commercial services. Person specification Leadership and Team Development: Lead and develop a team of six sourcing professionals with different experience levels, providing guidance and support for their professional growth. Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and adherence to the Department's values. Manage the team in day-to-day operations, serving as a leadership figure within the DfT and embodying its values. Stakeholder Management: Engage with the Digital and Technology team, DfT business stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure the successful delivery of digital and technology solutions. Establish and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, ensuring satisfaction, and measuring performance against set metrics. Engage with digital and technology commercial professionals from DfT Agencies and ALBs. Sourcing and Procurement Management and Compliance: Oversee the execution of 160 sourcing and procurements events a year of different sizes and complexity levels, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and regulations. Leverage existing partners' frameworks like those from Crown Commercial Service (CCS). Manage risks associated with procurement, stay abreast of new regulations, and support larger procurements for high value-for-money outcomes. Maintain a high pace and efficiency in procurement processes whilst upholding excellence in execution. Support DfT businesses in their contract management activities to maintain the expected value-for-money delivered by the contracts. Category Strategy: Lead the formulation of the DfT Digital and Technology category strategy aligning it with the Department's long-term needs and direction, including for AI technologies. Establish an operating model where digital and technology commercial professionals in DfT Agencies and ALBs can collaborate and work in synergy. Technology Adoption: Explore and keep pace with emerging technologies, especially AI. Support and advise on the adoption of new technologies in DfT business solutions and within the commercial team. Data Culture: Facilitate the creation of a technology and data culture across the commercial directorate and the whole organization. Promote the use of procurement systems, including for pipeline management, fostering compliance and efficiency across the whole organisation. Training/Qualifications: CIPS qualified or equivalent - where a candidate does not have this, it is mandated that the candidate will undertake the CIPS qualification at an appropriate level. The candidate will be expected to attain, in post, the Contract Management Commercial Capability (CMCP) Foundation level accreditation and the CIPS Ethical training certificate Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Coaching Manager - Experience in leading and developing teams with professionals at varying experience levels. Proven ability to foster the organisational culture in a high-paced and complex organisation Builds Relationships - Proven ability to understand stakeholder needs, ensuring the successful delivery of digital/technology solutions. Able to establish & maintaining effective stakeholder relationships in a large & complex organisation Understanding Sourcing Needs - Experience leading the formulation of category strategies in the technology space. Able to establish operating models to facilitate collaboration among technology professionals in various organisational units Market Insight - Demonstrated strong ability to explore and keep pace with emerging technologies. A proven track record of supporting and advising on the adoption of new technologies within business solutions and commercial teams Manages Complexity - Significant experience overseeing a high-paced and high volume of procurements, managing varying sizes and complexity levels Commercial Focus - Strong understanding of the commercial rationale behind the adoption of a given procurement route and how this manages risk and delivers value for money Procurement Process - Knowledge of public procurement policies with the ability to ensure compliance and proven expertise in managing risks and supporting larger procurements 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. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills. Please be advised that the Virtual ADC is taking place on 28th May 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 at commercialresourcinghubcabinetoffice.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. Details of schemes available are attached in the advert. For full details of our process, and a likely timeline, please read the explanation provided in 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 essential criteria for the role which are detailed in the attached Candidate Pack. 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. IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your application within 2 working days please contact: commercialresourcinghubcabinetoffice.gov.uk 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