Head of Commercial Digital - Migration and Borders in London

Salary - £101,000 - £131,000, GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 20% performance-related pay available on accreditation.

Locations - Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF; Soapworks, Salford Quays, M5 3LZ; Liverpool, L3 9PP; Peterborough, PE2 8YY; South Yorkshire, S3 8NU.

Digital, data and technology are crucial to the Home Office’s responsibility for securing the border, safer streets and national security. The Home Office is at the forefront of digital innovation. Our digital services have already transformed the public’s experiences through smoother UK border crossings, faster, more convenient passport applications, and technology-assisted policing.

The Deputy Director Commercial is a senior leadership role within the Home Office Commercial function, responsible for shaping and delivering high-value commercial outcomes that support critical public services and national priorities. This role is key to support the next phase of the Home Office digital transformation.

You will lead a large, multidisciplinary commercial team (typically 40 colleagues across different locations and specialisms), providing clear direction, developing capability and ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality, efficient and compliant commercial services. The role works across a diverse portfolio of contracts and programmes. This may include major outsourced services, complex service delivery contracts, professional services, and large-scale operational procurements that directly support frontline delivery.

You will be accountable for overseeing significant commercial spend and ensuring suppliers deliver against agreed outcomes. You will work closely with senior leaders across the Home Office, including policy, operational and finance teams, to ensure commercial strategies are aligned to business priorities. The role also involves direct engagement with key suppliers and partners, as well as collaboration with other government departments to share best practice and drive consistent standards. A key focus of the role is strengthening how contracts and supplier relationships are managed. You will lead improvements in contract management capability, embed clear and consistent standards across teams, and drive a more structured, strategic approach to working with key suppliers.

Person specification

• Provide clear strategic leadership across commercial activity, setting direction and ensuring delivery of high-quality outcomes aligned to organisational priorities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team (typically 40 staff), building capability, supporting career development and creating an inclusive, high-expectation culture.
• Take overall accountability for a portfolio of complex, high-value contracts and commercial activity, ensuring delivery against agreed performance, cost and quality outcomes.
• Oversee and strengthen supplier relationships, driving improved performance, innovation and long-term value from key delivery partners.
• Act as the senior lead for contract management across the department, providing direction, setting expectations and ensuring a consistent, high-quality approach across both commercial and operational teams.
• Develop and embed a more structured approach to managing strategic suppliers, improving outcomes across delivery, cost control and risk management.
• Build strong, credible relationships with senior stakeholders across policy, operational and finance teams, influencing decisions and ensuring commercial considerations are fully integrated into business planning.
• Engage directly with senior representatives from key suppliers to resolve issues, improve performance and maintain effective, constructive partnerships.
• Ensure robust governance and assurance across all commercial activity, including effective risk management, compliance with relevant regulations and clear, evidence-based decision making.
• Identify and deliver practical improvements to commercial performance, including simplifying processes, improving ways of working and strengthening capability across teams.
• Champion consistent standards, best practice and continuous improvement in contract and supplier management across the organisation.
• Contribute to wider organisational transformation by improving how commercial services are delivered and supporting long-term capability development.

Key Objectives / Experience Required

• Significant experience of leading commercial delivery within complex digital, data and technology environments, with the ability to balance innovation, delivery and value for money.
• Strong understanding of government procurement practices, gained from either a supplier or client perspective.
• Proven track record of delivering procurement and contract management activity within a complex and high-profile environment.
• Ability to operate with strong judgement, influencing at senior levels and navigating complexity with confidence.