About this role
On behalf of the Cabinet Office, we are looking for a Commercial Lead (Inside IR35) for an initial 6 months contract based remotely with occasional travel to one of the hubs within the UK.
The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. The Cabinet Office is also the corporate headquarters for the government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas. More information about the Cabinet Office can be found on its website at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office
Role Profile:
To support the MyCO Programme, a major government corporate services transformation initiative operating within the wider Matrix Programme.
This is a high-profile commercial role focused on managing complex supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, contract exit activities, dispute resolution and supplier transition arrangements. The successful candidate will provide commercial leadership across critical contract activities, ensuring value for money, contractual compliance and operational continuity during a significant shared services transition programme.
This role would suit an experienced public sector commercial professional with a strong background in contract management , supplier negotiations, contract exits and commercial governance within complex programmes.
As a Commercial Lead , your main responsibilities will be to:
- Lead commercial engagement with incumbent suppliers during contract extension, exit and transition activities.
- Manage and resolve complex supplier disputes relating to scope, contractual obligations, pricing and Statements of Work (SoW).
- Review, challenge and approve commercial pricing proposals, change requests and contract variations.
- Support contract exit activity.
- Develop commercial positions, negotiation strategies and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Provide commercial input into business cases, governance submissions and commercial approvals.
- Review and assure complex financial models and pricing structures to ensure value for money.
- Work closely with Legal teams, suppliers and programme stakeholders to draft and implement contractual changes and extensions.
- Support delivery of commercial agreements across government stakeholders, including Memorandums of Agreement.
- Monitor supplier performance throughout contract exit and transition periods, ensuring contractual compliance.
- Provide market intelligence and identify emerging commercial, legal or operational risks.
- Brief senior commercial leaders and governance boards on commercial strategy, risks and recommendations.
Essential:
- Significant commercial experience within Central Government, public sector or similarly complex regulated environments.
- Proven experience managing contract exits, supplier transitions and contract extension activities.
- Strong track record of leading commercial negotiations with suppliers and achieving successful outcomes.
- Experience resolving complex supplier disputes relating to contract scope, pricing, variations and Statements of Work.
- Experience working across large, complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to operate autonomously and provide commercial leadership within fast-paced programmes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including experience briefing senior leadership teams and governance boards.
Desirable:
- Experience within Shared Services, HR, Payroll, Finance or Procurement service environments.
- Knowledge of government transformation programmes such as Matrix, Synergy or similar shared service initiatives .
- Familiarity with Crown Commercial Service frameworks and government procurement processes.
- MCIPS qualification or equivalent commercial/procurement accreditation.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a Disability Confident employer, the Cabinet Office encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Cabinet Office welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".