Commercial Contracts Manager

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On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Commercial Contracts Manager (Inside IR35) for a contract Until 31/03/2027 (potential extension) based in Corsham or Abbey Wood with office attendance 1 day per week or as required for business needs

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence , as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.

The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management .

The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.

To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.

The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Contracts Manager to establish, operate and continually improve a commercial delivery model that enables Defence organisations to access specialist digital and technology suppliers through The Accelerator.

This is a strategically important role responsible for developing and managing high-value commercial agreements with SMEs, primarily delivering services across the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) profession. Acting as the key interface between Defence Commercial teams, customers, suppliers and The Accelerator, you will ensure commercial arrangements remain compliant, flexible and aligned to evolving operational requirements.

You will play a critical role in helping Defence organisations commission digital capability through the most appropriate commercial models, ensuring strong governance, value for money and measurable outcome

As a Commercial Contracts Manager , your main responsibilities will be:

- Lead the establishment, mobilisation and ongoing management of commercial delivery vehicles and supplier agreements that enable Defence organisations to access specialist digital and technology capability.
- Work closely with Defence Commercial teams, Accelerator colleagues, customers and suppliers to design and implement compliant, scalable and value-driven commercial solutions.
- Advise customers on the most appropriate commissioning approach, helping them define clear, measurable outcomes and translate requirements into effective work packages.
- Support the selection and application of outcome-based, capacity-based, output-based or resource-based commercial models aligned to the maturity, complexity and risk of the requirement.
- Develop commercial arrangements that allow priorities and scope to evolve while maintaining control of cost, quality, performance and risk.
- Provide guidance and challenge to ensure commissioning approaches focus on delivering outcomes and capability rather than simply procuring resource.
- Create and maintain reusable templates, commissioning guidance and best-practice frameworks that support consistent and effective delivery.
- Act as the primary relationship manager for contracted suppliers, monitoring performance, resolving issues and driving continual improvement.
- Ensure effective commercial governance through contract reviews, performance management , risk management and compliance activities.
- Produce clear and insightful management information covering utilisation, spend, demand, supplier performance, delivery outcomes, risks and issues, enabling informed decision -making and continuous improvement.

PLEASE NOTE: SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Essential:

- Active SC Clearance Sole British National
- Extensive experience in commercial, contract and supplier management .
- Proven experience establishing and managing frameworks, call-off contracts, managed services or similar commercial vehicles.
- Strong knowledge of Defence procurement routes, frameworks and commercial approvals.
- Hands-on experience mobilising and operating commercial arrangements throughout their full lifecycle.
- Experience delivering commercial solutions for digital, technology or professional services environments.
- Strong understanding of outcome-based, capacity-based, output-based and resource-based delivery models.
- Experience developing flexible commercial arrangements that balance changing priorities with control of cost, quality and risk.
- Knowledge of service-point, managed -service or capacity-based charging models.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior audiences.
- Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently , manage competing priorities and operate in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience producing commercial reporting, governance packs and management information.

Desirable:

- WorldCC Contract & Commercial Management Practitioner or Advanced Practitioner.
- CIPS Level 5 or Level 6 qualification.
- Government Commercial Function accreditation.
- Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP) accreditation.
- Other recognised commercial, procurement or contract management qualifications.
- Experience applying commercial best practice within agile, adaptive or outcome-based delivery environments.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, the MOD 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 MOD 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.