Commercial Practitioner

Overview

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) plays a vital role in keeping Britain\’s roads safe and efficient. We are responsible for the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain and vehicles across the UK, as well as the collection and enforcement of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Our work ensures that only qualified drivers and correctly taxed vehicles are on the road. We issue photocard driving licences and vehicle registration certificates, record driver endorsements and medical conditions, and take enforcement action against tax evaders. We also register and issue tachograph cards, sell personalised registrations, and support law enforcement by providing crucial data to police and intelligence services. We offer anonymised data services to authorised users to inform public and private sector decision-making.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including a Civil Service pension, generous annual leave, flexible working options, and an emphasis on work-life balance.

Role

As a Commercial Practitioner, you\’ll support the Associate Commercial Lead in delivering compliant, effective commercial activity across the Agency. You\’ll provide expert advice to business areas, support strong commercial governance, and manage contracts in line with best practice and government policy. You\’ll also identify and escalate commercial risks, maintain key management information, and work closely with internal and external stakeholders. This role includes wider corporate responsibilities, including team development and contributing to the Agency\’s strategic commercial goals.

Responsibilities

• To proactively engage with business areas in order to understand their needs, providing commercial advice and guidance, and to ensure that the contract management activity is undertaken in line with Best Practice.
• To implement commercial strategies with stakeholders, which deliver business requirements in a compliant manner to deliver optimum outcomes.
• To ensure compliance with the Agency\’s commercial obligations as a Public Body.
• To identify and escalate perceived and relevant areas of commercial risk for all contracts within scope of the category.
• To provide and maintain accurate management information pertinent to the successful management and delivery of the category portfolio.
• To work with internal and external stakeholders to understand the needs of the business and wider cross-government strategies, providing commercial support across the category portfolio.
• Develop an awareness of own and staff\’s strengths, skill gaps and career aspirations and understands how to build capability.
• To undertake corporate managerial responsibilities commensurate with the grade e.g. recruitment, grievance, and disciplinary cases.

Requirements and Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft, review, and refine contractual documents with clarity and precision.
• Excellent attention to detail, particularly in reviewing legal and commercial agreements, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including internal stakeholders, legal teams, and external contacts.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work at pace.
• Experience in drafting, reviewing, or managing contracts or commercial agreements; strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to work with Government assets with appropriate security clearances where required (baseline checks).

Technical Skills

• GCF Contract Management Professional Standards A2 – Relationships and Leadership Capability A2 (Foundation)
• GCF Contract Management Professional Standards B5 – Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement (Practitioner)
• Experience against Contract Management Professional Standards and related assessment criteria.
• Successful candidates may undergo criminal records checks and baseline personnel security checks as applicable.

Working Arrangements

This role is suitable for hybrid working; a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. The expectation is a minimum of 60% of monthly working time at the designated workplace or required office location. The role may require travel and attendance at other sites as needed. The successful candidate should be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

Selection Process

The selection process includes:

• Stage 1: Sift of CV and Personal Statement (with specific evidence requirements).
• Stage 2: Interview conducted online via Microsoft Teams.

Details on the process, dates, and expectations are provided in the recruitment materials. Feedback is provided only after interview or assessment. A 12-month reserve list may be held for future opportunities.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of salary and Civil Service pension details.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days, plus 8 bank holidays and a Privilege Day for the King\’s birthday.
• Flexible working options and staff discounts.
• Excellent career development opportunities and potential to undertake professional qualifications paid for by the department (e.g., CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships).
• Inclusive and supportive workplace with employee assistance programmes and other well-being benefits.