Assistant Director - Commercial

Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Southampton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension contribution 28.97%

25 days annual leave (+1 per year)

Bank Holidays + Privilege Day

Staff discount portal access

Career development opportunities (e.g.

Job summary

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in Southampton seeks an Assistant Director Commercial to provide strategic leadership of MCA’s commercial activity. You will guide the Commercial team, ensure value for money and partner with the Finance and Analysis Directorate Senior Management Team to improve processes and outcomes.

The role covers governance of commercial strategy, procurement, supplier relationships and contract structures, with a strong focus on risk management and achieving

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing and implementing commercial strategies in a complex organisation.
• Experience leading high-value, business-critical commercial activity including negotiation and risk management.
• Advanced expertise across sourcing, procurement, contract management and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Lead MCA’s Commercial Strategy and align with government and organisational objectives.
• Lead the Commercial team, drive continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide strategic procurement advice and challenge on high-impact requirements and contracts.

Job description

As the Assistant Director Commercial, you will report to the Director of Finance and Analysis and provide strategic leadership and oversight of MCA’s commercial activity, ensuring robust commercial decision-making and value for money. As a key member of the Finance and Analysis Directorate Senior Management Team, you will provide effective and inspiring leadership to the Commercial team, fostering a high-performing culture through continuous improvement.

Location

Southampton

Salary

£72,281 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Contract Type

Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Key Responsibilities

• Leading MCA’s Commercial Strategy, ensuring alignment with MCA objectives, financial plans and the Government Commercial Function Strategy.
• Leading MCA’s Commercial team, embedding continuous improvement and high performance, and ensuring effective commercial support, advice and stakeholder engagement.
• Providing strategic procurement advice and commercial challenge on high-impact, high-value and business-critical requirements, including specifications, market engagement, procurement routes, risk allocation and contract structures.
• Maintaining strategic oversight of key supplier relationships and critical commercial markets to strengthen resilience, competition, innovation and long-term value throughout the contract lifecycle.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About you

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Proven experience of developing and implementing commercial strategies and governance arrangements in a complex organisation.
• Evidence of leading complex, high-value or business-critical commercial activity, including negotiation and risk management.
• Advanced expertise across the commercial lifecycle, including sourcing, procurement, contract management and supplier management.
• Strong knowledge of public procurement legislation, government commercial policy, controls and assurance requirements.
• Evidence of leading commercial teams, building capability and influencing senior stakeholders to secure value-for-money outcomes.