Commercial Lead

UK Atomic Energy Authority; England; Hybrid; GBP 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy organization in Oxfordshire is looking for a Commercial Lead to manage procurement activities. The role involves strategic guidance, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance with government policies. Candidates should possess MCIPS qualification and extensive experience in public sector procurement. This position supports flexible working and encourages diverse applicants to join our mission for clean energy through ethical practices.

Benefits

Outstanding pension

Excellent benefits

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Public Sector Procurement for complex programmes.
• Ability to negotiate at the highest levels with suppliers.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of procurement practices.
• Manage supplier relationships and mitigate risks.
• Ensure alignment with government procurement policies.

Skills

Building Construction

Logistics & Procurement

Account Management

Communication

Client Services

Jboss

Education

MCIPS qualification

Job description

Salary: £67,858 (including Specialist Allowance and MCIPS requirement). Excellent benefits, outstanding pension.

Onsite working required 2–3 days per week; flexible working options supported.

Role can be based at: Culham, Oxfordshire.

Required security: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS); eligible for SC clearance (UK residency last 5 years); DBS checks.

The Role

As Commercial Lead you will play a pivotal role in leading the development and implementation of strategic, compliant and value‑driven procurement practices for the Commercial category pillar or programme area assigned, providing all commercial advice and support. Reporting to a Senior Commercial Lead, you will provide support to Facilities Management teams covering Hard and Soft FM organisation‑wide (electrical, mechanical, building and civil maintenance) and soft FM services such as cleaning, catering, grounds maintenance, security and postal services. Your work will ensure commercial procurement activities align with government policies, deliver best value for public funds and support organisational objectives. You will manage supplier relationships, mitigate risks, foster sustainable and socially responsible procurement and provide expert guidance to internal and external stakeholders. By providing effective leadership and driving continuous improvement, you will contribute to the efficient, transparent and ethical management of public resources.

Additional Responsibilities

• Leading, advising and representing UKAEA on all aspects of procurement activities and responsible for defining the procurement strategy for the RAICO Programme.
• Providing representation at DESNZ Commercial Boards and Cabinet Office for presentation and review of proposed strategies and taking full responsibility for compliance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
• Full responsibility for the direct procurement resource and for flexing additional procurement resource when necessary to meet constantly changing strategic deadlines and to ensure the delivery of organisational and RAICO objectives.
• Lead negotiations for high‑value high‑complexity contracts and contract variations ensuring alignment with project objectives and organisational requirements. Provide strategic guidance and direction throughout the contract lifecycle to secure optimal terms, mitigate risks and maximise value.
• Communicates effectively, actively engages with teamwork ethos, strong morale and strong working relationships.
• Addresses and resolves conflict directly and constructively within the team and customers, including Senior Managers, Directors and stakeholders.
• Has prime procurement and commercial responsibility for ALL projects within their team.
• Works with DESNZ and Cabinet Office (Liaising with government) for all Commercial requirements.

• Identifies and implements all commercial impacts of new / existing Commercial proposals and takes full responsibility and accountability and informs the HOC of all novel and contentious issues.
• Implements contract management processes to ensure measurable performance against the requirements throughout the contract life cycle.
• Coordinates efforts at all levels with other units of the organisation to ensure alignment of objectives and outcomes.
• Leading initiatives to optimise value for money across procurement activities and identifies opportunities for cost savings, process improvements and supplier innovation.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and ethical procurement practices.
• Has the skills, knowledge and experience to understand influence, drive and negotiate with internal and external customers.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• MCIPS qualified.
• Extensive experience of Public Sector Procurement for complex programmes.
• Knowledge of Find A Tender Service (FTS).
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to negotiate at the highest levels with suppliers.
• Commercially astute and customer focused.
• Excellent negotiation skills with some understanding of New Engineering Contract (NEC) form of contract.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to influence at senior levels.
• Expertise and experience to act as the lead expert for complex / critical Procurement and Commercial issues and influence both internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Information

Mission is clean energy for all and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under‑represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks, actively promote inclusion and take steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis for example changes to the way we interview or share information.

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Full‑time

Key Skills

• Building Construction
• Logistics & Procurement
• Account Management
• Communication
• Client Services
• Jboss

Department

Procurement

Experience

Years: years

Vacancy

1