At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for the Manchester Digital Campus, maximising value and opportunities.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at the forefront of digital innovation in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related pay, and a vibrant workplace environment.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative project with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital infrastructure while making a real impact on communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in public procurement and construction contracts, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 101000 - 131000 £ per year.
The Manchester Digital Campus team are all expected to have a significant presence in Manchester (averaging at least 2-days a week, so Manchester preferred). Regular travel is expected to attend GPA offices and partner locations, especially London and occasionally Birmingham.
A central Manchester brownfield development site will become the vibrant workplace for well over 8,000 people from the digitally focused departments. Manchester Digital Campus (MDC) will strengthen HMG’s skills, innovation and enable multi-department careers, whilst learning from and contributing to the exciting digital/AI sector in Manchester and the North West. The programme completes in 2032.
As the Head of Commercial for the Manchester Digital Campus (MDC), you will be dedicated to this Programme to ensure the whole programme maximises commercial opportunities and value. You will continue development of the procurement strategy, market engagement and contracting approach for the c.£1bn, 5-year main construction and fit out under a JCT model, overseeing competitions and supporting the project director in successfully managing the contract through to its commercial and financial completion.
You will need to pay particular attention to continued financial stability, ensuring procurement programme resilience and continuity in a changing economic context. Lower value, but equally important are the effective management of pre-construction works, client side support and the development of income generation propositions supporting the wider programme’s strategic aims.
You will provide commercial leadership across the whole programme, developing the whole team’s commercial thinking and skill set. You will be focused heavily on the infrastructure delivery (a £1bn+ contract), whilst working closely with both project directors, together with the leads of the wider strands (or Lines of Development), finance team and SRO to support the whole programme, ensuring the commercial approach across the whole of MDC is generating best value from the market, maximising social value and alive to income generation opportunities.
You will line-manage the small MDC Commercial team, shaping and growing the team, building its capacity and capability, within the wider Government Property Agency (GPA) commercial function and delivering the required commercial outcomes. You will need construction sector experience and commercial and financial acumen to deliver innovative routes to market, and will work closely with the Government Property Agencies (GPA) construction partners and professional client side support team.
Person specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A thorough understanding of Public Procurement with particular experience preferably in JCT contracts and the construction sector.
- Demonstrate a trusting, effective working partnership with Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to utilise their category and sourcing teams for timely and compliant procurement.
- Able to navigate often complex and demanding regulatory, commercial and political landscapes, all the time maintaining a dynamism with a focus on achieving measurable and impactful results and delivering excellent customer value.
- Managing complex procurements and all stages of the process from tendering through to contract and supplier management.
- Leading and inspiring a commercial team.
- Strong relationship management, interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to operate and build effective relationships at all levels within an organisation and across different clients.
- Ability to maintain a commercial focus with experience of enhancing and delivering value and continuous improvement through hands-on leadership.
- A high degree of personal resilience, tenacity, integrity and focus on outcomes.
- Able to contribute strategically across MDC as part of the leadership group as well as deliver vertically on functional objectives.
- Coaching a team to develop and continually model a can-do culture across the GPA whilst working in a ‘matrix management’ environment.
- Be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer.
- Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the GPA and across government.
Head of Commercial – Manchester Digital Campus employer: Government Commercial Function
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead contract management in a dynamic environment focused on digital transformation within government. With a commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and performance-related pay, DSIT fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and impact, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to contribute to meaningful change in public services from vibrant locations like Manchester or Cardiff.
Contact Details:
Government Commercial Function Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial – Manchester Digital Campus
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial – Manchester Digital Campus
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Commercial Function
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
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Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
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Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
