Head of Commercial Works

We are looking for a Head of Commercial to join our Parliamentary Commercial Directorate (PCD) at the House of Lords. This post will support our ‘Works’ category which includes construction, hard facilities management and building refurbishment.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead on the delivery of a range of complex and high value ‘Works’ procurements across the Parliamentary Estate. As well as leading on these procurements, you will also act as a trusted Business Partner and advisor to the business units and projects you work alongside. The projects and programmes that you will be supporting are high-profile and unique and the work that you do will directly deliver services that Parliament needs to operate effectively.

This is an opportunity to work on a hybrid basis where you will be able to work 3 days from home and 2 days onsite at Parliament! This is a fantastic role for someone who has deep subject matter expertise on NEC suite of contract terms and public-sector procurement and can apply this knowledge and experience to wide range of contracts. You will be a proactive, flexible leader who enjoys working with different stakeholders to provide procurement advice and support alongside promoting best practice.

You’ll be accountable for:

• Providing deep subject matter expertise on NEC contract options including authoring bespoke contract terms and on Public Procurement.
• Providing expert commercial advice in relation to Works contracts including construction and related project, cost, design and other services.
• Managing and leading major procurements throughout the procurement cycle.
• Maintaining procurement plan (a “Pipeline”) for your area of the Works category, ensuring continuity and compliance of contracts/procurements that are due for tendering, award, extension, expiry and/or renewal.
• Supporting the Works Commercial Deputy Director and Director in drafting and taking forward policies and procedures in relation to the Works category area.
• Providing expert commercial advice to ensure Parliament meets value for money objectives and its savings targets.
• Achieving efficiencies and savings in current and future contract activities.

What we’re looking for:

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply at Level 6 (MCIPS) is desirable. Candidates who are substantially on the way to achieving the same may be considered or equivalent Chartership or experience.
• Deep subject matter expertise on NEC suite of contract terms and contracting options.
• Ability to provide expert commercial advice in relation to Works contracts including construction and related project, cost, design and other services.
• Detailed knowledge of compliance requirements associated with public sector procurement regulations and ability to manage major Works procurements throughout the procurement cycle.
• Ability to promote procurement policy, awareness and contract management practice to both professional and lay audiences.
• Ability to flexibly lead, manage and develop a team.
• Pro-active approach to managing workload and problem-solving with ability to identify areas for continuous improvement both within the team and wider workstreams.
• Proven experience in influencing Senior Internal and External stakeholders.

It would be even better if you had:

• Category / Procurement Leadership – being able to drive forward relevant strategies whilst demonstrating category expertise.
• Proven experience in a pre-contract construction environment.

What you’ll get in return:

• 30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 after one years’ service).
• Generous pension scheme.
• Discounts from well-known brands and retailers.
• Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.
• The opportunity to witness history in the making!

The work we do is vital to House of Lords, and you will be a pivotal member in the team strengthening the work of the House. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK parliament. It is independent from and complements the work of the House of Commons to:

• Make laws.
• Check and challenge the actions of the government through questions and debates.
• Investigate public policy and provide a forum of independent expertise.

Please complete your online application by 23.55pm on 26 January 2025.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact us.

The House of Lords Administration is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of their age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender/sex, gender reassignment/trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. The Administration will also consider flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. For this role we particularly welcome applications from groups which are currently underrepresented within the team, including applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates and candidates with disabilities.

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