Head of Commercial Operations

On behalf of DCMS , we are looking for a Head of Commercial Operations (Inside IR35) for a contract up to 31/03/2027 on a hybrid basis (2-3 days per week from London or Manchester)

As a Head of Commercial Operations, your main responsibilities will be:

- Lead complex and strategically important commercial projects across DCMS and its ALBs.
- Develop and implement commercial and supply chain strategies.
- Lead and manage the Commercial Services Team, supporting staff development and performance.
- Oversee low-risk procurements and lead procurement activity across the department.
- Manage resources, workloads and competing priorities across the commercial function.
- Develop and deliver commercial capability programmes for junior staff.
- Provide expert advice on procurement, contract management and complex commercial issues.
- Work with senior stakeholders and budget holders to deliver procurement and contractual commitments.
- Lead the departmental procurement pipeline, ensuring activities are delivered on time.
- Develop and implement commercial policies and processes across DCMS and its ALBs.
- Draft and negotiate bespoke contracts, including appropriate risk mitigation clauses.
- Ensure compliance with government procurement legislation, policies and best practice.
- Manage commercial risks, governance, reporting, contingent labour and IR35 requirements.
- Support cross-government commercial policies and initiatives .
- Deputise for the Deputy Commercial Director and Commercial Director when required.

PLEASE NOTE: CTC 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 CTC clearance
- Strong understanding of Government Commercial and Procurement policies, including the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) and Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).
- Significant experience in senior commercial and procurement roles within a complex organisation.
- Proven experience developing and implementing commercial strategies and delivering value for money across multiple procurement categories.
- Demonstrable experience managing the full commercial and procurement lifecycle.
- Strong knowledge of commercial management best practice, procurement processes and contract management .
- Experience leading , managing and developing teams, including setting objectives and managing performance.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including engagement with senior officials and budget holders.
- Experience managing complex projects, competing priorities and challenging situations.
- Ability to manage commercial risks, challenge stakeholders and drive continuous improvement.
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience and/or a relevant professional qualification, such as CIPS or RICS.
- Knowledge of programme and project management methodologies.
- Ability to work autonomously, adapt to changing priorities and develop innovative commercial solutions.

Desirable:

- Recent experience developing and implementing commercial policies.
- Experience working within DCMS or its sectors.
- Relevant project management qualification.
- Experience delivering results under pressure across the public and private sect

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

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, DCMS 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.

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".