The aim within our Professional Services category team is to provide first class commercial delivery and advice relating to professional services to Defence Digital across the contract lifecycle and to drive market engagement to leverage insight, innovation, and best practice.
The Professional Services Team provides independent professional advice on commercial matters, ensures compliance with relevant legislation and MOD policy, and negotiates contracts that achieve value for money. It develops procurement strategies, runs tender exercises, negotiations, and awards contracts in accordance with legislation and policy.
Securing the capability or capacity we lack within the civil service, enables all delivery teams to keep their services on track and to deliver on time and cost. Professional Services supports all areas of Defence Digital delivery, including the Software, Hardware and Services, Networks and Military Technology Commercial categories, giving the Professional Services team exposure to the full spectrum of Defence Digital’s activity.
With contract values typically sub(<£10M) and often sub (<£1m), our commercial officers, manage all aspects of the commercial lifecycle:
Early engagement with Business stakeholders to define the scope, requirements, route to market and define and procurement activity and documentation.
Market and supplier engagement securing proposals from suppliers and getting market insight to shape commercial activity.
Support to the approvals process and Business Case process (Requisition, financial and commercial approval, as well as MOD/Cabinet Office approvals if required)
Delivery of the Commercial activity (Competition through a Framework, Direct Award, Down selection, extension, contract amendments)
Placement of the contract and liaising with suppliers and stakeholders
IR35 Assessment support and advice
Contract Management and administration.
Professional Services cover 3 primary sub-categories:
Professional Services Delivery Support: specific skills brought in on an outcome basis to deliver specific activities alongside Crown servants.
Interims & Contractors: provision of expert advice to the HR function who manage the sourcing activity for: interims and contractors typically within IR35; resources brought in to fill gaps while permanent recruitment occurs or to backfill long term sickness and maternity/paternity leave.
Advisory Consultancy:provision of specialist advice regarding customer options to meet business objectives.
Key Responsibilities of the role are:
Work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver customer requirements.
Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing expert commercial advice as required.
Lead commercial activities across the procurement lifecycle from pre-market engagement, strategy development, procurement, contract management to closure.
Develop sourcing strategies in partnership with project teams and wider stakeholders that align with legislation and MOD policy.
Develop tender documentation and manage procurements, ensuring that value for money is achieved.
Actively manage and monitor contracts in line with Contract Management Plans, ensuring compliance to the appropriate processes and operating procedures
Manage commercial risk throughout the contract lifecycle.
Be an active member of the Team, sharing best practice and lessons learned, and actively seek out opportunities to support the development of commercial skills both within the team and in the wider business.
Act as a role model for others, demonstrating effective communication and appropriate behaviours, whilst ensuring compliance with standards and policies
Line management responsibilities.
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.
As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.
Remote working within this role is something that can be discussed at interview stages or with your future line manager if you are found successful.