Commercial Lead - Facilities Management & Security

Government Commercial Function; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK governmental department is seeking a professional to lead the global facilities management category, focusing on strategic procurement and stakeholder engagement. This role involves developing category strategies and delivering complex procurements aligned with legislation. Candidates should have extensive experience in category strategy implementation and stakeholder management. Flexibility in working arrangements and opportunities for career development are part of the offered benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Access to commercial projects

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in developing and implementing category strategies.
• Ability to operate in complex, regulated environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of category strategies for global operations.
• Work with senior stakeholders to implement category plans.
• Deliver complex procurements in line with legislation.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Procurement legislation knowledge

Analytical skills

Leadership

Job description

Overview

FCDO Commercial provides end-to-end procurement and innovative commercial solutions to deliver the FCDO's priorities and the Government's missions, whether through diplomatic and development programmes or operating our global network. This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our influence and impact driving value across the Commercial lifecycle within FCDO. Our Directorate's role is to deliver the best possible outcomes for every pound the British taxpayer invests in aid and our global diplomatic network. We procure a wide range of contracts with development suppliers to address global challenges such as growth, security, climate change, and migration. We also procure technology, estates and corporate services contracts to support our overseas posts. We work with programme and corporate teams across the FCDO to deliver; stakeholder relationships are key. We hold a unique external-facing position in the FCDO and have a growing supplier relationship management function, expanding towards strategic relationship management to shape markets by 2030. Engagement with external parties is our core business, and by leveraging our network's expertise and contractual mechanisms we will shape the FCDO's approach to growth and deliver on Government missions. We have outlined an ambitious change agenda to deliver by 2030 while maintaining a quality service for the FCDO. In Commercial you will be encouraged to get involved in Departmental change and be part of an innovative, ambitious, future-facing team.

Role and team

The Commercial Directorate has 3 core drivers which, together, make our 2030 Vision Statement:

• We spend our time Delivering Value
• We provide a Simple Service
• Our unique expertise is used for Shaping Growth

Everything Commercial does is underpinned by these 3 drivers. We apply them to shape our delivery and continuous improvement initiatives. You will join as part of the Commercial Directorate, leading the global facilities management category and a small team of up to three members, providing critical support to FCDO's global operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of category strategies through the category management cycle, from understanding the FCDO's spend, suppliers, and estate portfolio, to developing options, appraisals, and mobilising sourcing projects with key stakeholders across the global estate.
• Work with and influence senior stakeholders, impacting governance both internally and externally, including HM Treasury, Crown Commercial Services (CCS), Cabinet Office and Ministers.
• Implement and deliver the opportunities outlined in the estates category forward plans, engaging and managing stakeholders, resources, dependencies, transition plans and timelines.
• Develop and enhance category expertise to deliver category plans and strategies in collaboration with global posts/leaders, driving local, regional, and global supply chain trends and strategies for high-quality commercial procurement outcomes and value for money.
• Deliver complex procurements with robust specifications, terms and conditions, and management principles, in line with the route to market, procurement legislation, government policy, guidance (including sourcing and construction playbooks), and departmental policies.
• Work with stakeholders to achieve annual cost reduction and cost avoidance savings targets for the estate's category through tendering and contract and supplier performance management.
• Maintain strong contract management knowledge across major standard forms of contract.
• Support the strategic supplier relationship programme for key strategic suppliers within the category.
• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to a small team of commercial specialists, fostering a professional culture, commercial capability, and skills through coaching, mentoring, and bespoke training plans aligned to Cabinet Office playbooks and succession pathways.
• Contribute to the development of business cases and lead the development of commercial cases as part of outline and full business cases.
• Lead Delivery Model Assessments for the ESND category, incorporating FCDO capability and maturity against external capability at programmatic and component levels.
• Continuously assess global and regional supply markets to identify optimal solutions.

Qualifications and experience

• Extensive experience in developing and implementing category strategies and strategic sourcing plans within complex, regulated environments. Demonstrates a proven ability to lead procurement processes in challenging settings.
• Ability to operate in a matrix environment, building successful relationships and influencing multiple stakeholders; demonstrates objective, fact-based analysis to challenge decisions.
• Ability to develop strong stakeholder relationships and influence at all levels.
• Extensive experience in procuring complex goods, services and/or works in compliance with the PCR 2015 and/or Procurement Act 2023; working knowledge of applicable EU and UK procurement legislation and contracts.
• Ability to adapt flexibly in a fast-paced environment where priorities may change.

Location and travel

The successful candidate(s) will agree a contractual workplace from locations listed in this advert. This will be the contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of working time in this workplace. Time spent on official duties at other locations is included in the 60% requirement. Reasonable adjustments, flexibilities for caring responsibilities, or other temporary accommodations will be considered.

Additional information

• Lead development of category strategies and engage with stakeholders across the FCDO's global network, including Estates, Security and Network Directorate (ESND), Finance, regional and country directorates, Commercial hubs, Missions, Cabinet Office, CCS and HM Treasury.
• Work with external parties to ensure commercial service offering translates into outcomes aligned to wider government and FCDO targets.
• Travel opportunities are available and encouraged.
• As a Government Commercial Organisation (GCO) employee, you will have access to benefits including flexible working, career development, mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, and access to commercial projects.

Legal and eligibility

• For existing Civil Servants: refer to the candidate pack for details on moves across the civil service and potential implications for childcare vouchers.
• Nationalities: Open to UK nationals only.
• Security and vetting: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements. See our vetting charter and baseline personnel security checks.
• Disability and recruitment: Civil Service promotes equal opportunities and operates the Disability Confident Scheme.