Commercial Manager

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Commercial Manager

• Inside IR35 for a contract until 31st March 2027 working on a Hybrid basis (1/2 days per week in London office and remaining WFH) The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence , as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad. The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management . The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term. To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD. The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others. The main duties and responsibilities of the Commercial Manager would be to: Lead defined end-to-end procurements, from requirement development and market engagement through tendering, clarification, negotiation, award and mobilisation. Draft and quality-assure sourcing strategies, governance submissions, tender documents, review materials, contractual schedules, award recommendations and supplier communications. Provide clear advice on routes to market, procurement compliance, commercial risk, value for money and contracting options, escalating material or novel issues where required. Build effective relationships with programme, technical, finance, legal, security and policy colleagues and maintain momentum towards agreed outcomes. Undertake supply-market, pricing, options and commercial-risk analysis to support evidence-based decisions . Help translate requirements into measurable contractual obligations, performance arrangements, governance and change controls . Maintain accurate plans, pipelines, risks, actions, decisions and records in line with Defence commercial policy and applicable procurement legislation. Provide guidance or task leadership to Commercial Officers and other colleagues where appropriate. Manage competing priorities, identify issues early and take practical action to keep activity on schedule and to the required standard. Person specification The successful candidate will be commercially astute and delivery focused, able to take ownership of substantial work while operating effectively within a wider programme and governance structure. They will be comfortable working with ambiguity, able to simplify complex issues and confident engaging with senior and specialist stakeholders. PLEASE NOTE: SC/DV Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance. Essential: Practical experience of independently delivering end-to-end procurements or other substantial commercial activity in a complex organisation. Sound understanding of public-sector procurement legislation, commercial policy and governance requirements. Experience of developing procurement strategies and high-quality tender, governance and contractual documentation. Experience of using public-sector frameworks, including Crown Commercial Service arrangements, or comparable routes to market. Ability to analyse commercial, pricing and risk information and convert it into clear recommendations and actions. Strong stakeholder-management and influencing skills, including constructive challenge and consensus building. Ability to manage priorities and demanding deadlines with limited day-to-day supervision. Clear written, verbal and presentational communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Completion of Transforming Public Procurement training, or willingness to complete it promptly. CIPS Level 4 or equivalent commercial qualification, or demonstrable equivalent professional experience. At least five years of relevant commercial or procurement experience, including ownership of end-to-end activity. Desirable: Complex transformation, technology, digital, shared-services or business-process procurements. Procurements involving bespoke contractual provisions, negotiations or significant commercial risk. Contract management , supplier performance, change control or post-award commercial assurance. Task leadership , coaching or quality assurance of less-experienced commercial colleagues. Defence, central government or another regulated public-sector environment. Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas. Disability Confident As a Disability Confident employer, the MOD encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance. Armed Forces Covenant As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the MOD welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance. In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following “this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.