At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for sensitive defence projects and ensure commercial excellence.
- Company: Join the Government Commercial Function, supporting vital defence infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related pay, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a unique and secure environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your commercial skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 74000 € per year.
Join to apply for the Commercial Lead Sensitive Projects role at Government Commercial Function.
Department: MOD - Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)
Location: Andover, Glasgow, Whittington, Wyton
Salary: £72,000 - £79,200. GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 15% performance-related pay available on accreditation.
Job summary:
Part of the DIO Commercial directorate, the Sensitive Projects team is a dedicated team providing commercial delivery support across the full commercial lifecycle. This is across an exciting and diverse portfolio of multi-million-pound sensitive defence infrastructure projects across the UK. The Sensitive Projects team comprises over 14 staff. We procure and manage large construction projects on high-security military bases, working with teams with the highest levels of security clearance. We support the sourcing, procurement, and subsequent contract management activities throughout the life of projects and programmes from initial procurement strategy development to the creation and implementation of commercial strategies, compiling and issuing tenders, negotiating, and placing contracts including changes and contract management activities through to project/programme closure.
In this role you will:
- Lead the procurement process, contribute to delivering commercial excellence for your department and provide a customer-focused service.
- Support the strategic relationship with suppliers and senior internal stakeholders while building collaboration within and across organisational boundaries.
- Develop and manage key sourcing activities to meet project goals while minimising risk and ensuring Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is considered.
- Be the trusted advisor in sourcing and commercial initiatives to both stakeholders and your team, ensuring compliance with the appropriate processes and operating procedures.
- Provide commercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, some of whom may be senior members of the MOD.
- Be accountable to the Deputy Head for any commercial and management activity you undertake.
- Engage with stakeholders across DIO, industry, and wider government, requiring excellent communication skills.
- Lead a team, building their confidence to drive performance and manage setbacks.
- Use your business acumen to identify opportunities for improvement and implement these changes at a local level by working with affected parties to identify and overcome challenges.
The role is varied as you will be expected to use your commercial expertise to work on and manage all stages of the procurement process, from gathering requirements from across the business in line with market research, to the creation and delivery of commercial strategies for projects within an existing programme pipeline that will provide resilient and efficient infrastructure support across the MOD’s estate. Sensitive projects are a unique and interesting environment due to the secret and sensitive nature of the projects. You will enhance your commercial skills through leading on challenging and diverse projects, with different customer bases which have very different needs. Their often-unique requirements will highlight the many ways that commercial can contribute to the defence mission, and you can be part of this exciting journey. It is a challenging yet absorbing role liaising with customers, colleagues, and suppliers to help achieve best value for money for the public purse operating within the commercial regulations, whilst observing the strictest security protocols in all we do. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead in a complex operational environment, in an established team whilst contributing to some of MOD's most important defence priorities.
Please submit an application via Civil Service Jobs. A detailed candidate pack is also available. Closing date is before 11:55 pm on Sunday 7th September 2025.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Supply Chain and Purchasing
Industries: Government Administration
Commercial Lead Sensitive Projects in England employer: Government Commercial Function
The Government Commercial Function is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead sensitive defence projects that are crucial to national security. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive salary packages, and performance-related pay, the organisation fosters a collaborative culture that values innovation and excellence. Working in locations like Andover, Glasgow, and Wyton provides unique opportunities to engage with high-security projects while contributing to the Defence mission, making it a rewarding place for professionals seeking meaningful impact.
Contact Detail:
Government Commercial Function Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Lead Sensitive Projects in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Government Commercial Function. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Sensitive Projects team. Understand their recent projects and challenges. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since stakeholder engagement is key, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly will set you apart. Try mock interviews with friends or use online resources to sharpen your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Lead Sensitive Projects in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of Commercial Lead Sensitive Projects. We want to see how you can contribute to our exciting projects, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication skills in your written application. Use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Focus on your past experiences that relate directly to procurement and contract management. We’re looking for examples that showcase your ability to lead and manage sensitive projects, so make those stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need there to help you through the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Commercial Function
✨Know Your Commercial Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes and commercial strategies. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced in sensitive projects, especially within the defence sector. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand its complexities.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully managed stakeholder expectations or collaborated across teams. This is crucial for a role that requires excellent communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading a team, come prepared with examples of how you've motivated others and driven performance in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in managing setbacks and how you turned challenges into opportunities for improvement.
✨Understand Security Protocols
Given the sensitive nature of the projects, it's important to show that you appreciate the need for strict security protocols. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance while still achieving project goals. This will demonstrate your ability to balance risk management with operational efficiency.
