Job Title : Defence Digital Commercial – Senior Commercial Manager – Space Category
Company Name: UK Ministry of Defence
Job Details: Defence Digital Commercial – Senior Commercial Manager – Space Category | UK Ministry of Defence
19-24 minutes
About the job
MOD Corsham (SN13 9ET) as base location, with opportunities for limited hybrid working, to be agreed with Line Manager on appointment.
Job Summary
We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.
Defence Digital is responsible for delivering and integrating new digital capabilities, giving our forces the advantage on the cyber battlefield to combat an ever-evolving threat.
In support, Defence Digital Commercial is building a centre of procurement excellence, focusing on getting the best outcomes across all our contracts. We are developing a more strategic approach to supplier relationship management and implementing new ways of working that will embed good practice category management.
We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.
Job Description
The Defence Digital Space Category team provides commercial support to the SKYNET family of military communication satellites that are currently operated for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and which provide strategic communication services to the UK Armed Forces and Allies.
The Space Category team in Defence Digital are responsible for placing and managing contracts in support of the MOD’s satellite communication capabilities, which includes the military satellites, ground support infrastructure, terminals, modems, and bandwidth. This is an exciting time to join the Space Category, as we transition to a pan-Government Enterprise Space Category (ESC), that aims to drive collaborative behaviours, improved procurement strategies and deliver better value for money across Government in Space
The Roles Available Within The Team Cover The Full Range Of Activities Required Of The Commercial Function To Help Defence Digital Deliver The SKYNET 6 Programme. This Includes:
Leading and supporting competitive and single-source procurements for the next generation of new and complex military satellites, ground infrastructure, terminals and other equipment;
Sourcing and contract management of Space Professional Services contracts;
Management of existing contracts to deliver the critical in-service support to the SKYNET system; and,
Management of existing contracts to design and manufacture satellites and equipment that will sustain the programme into the next decade.
All members of the Space Category team will also be actively involved in the development and implementation of the pan-government Enterprise Space Category through inputs into the category strategy and related workstreams.
Some of the roles will have line management responsibility.
The post advertised is full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority’s sole discretion.
As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.
The Defence Digital Space Category team provides commercial support to the SKYNET family of military communication satellites that are currently operated for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and which provide strategic communication services to the UK Armed Forces and Allies.
The Space Category team in Defence Digital are responsible for placing and managing contracts in support of the MOD’s satellite communication capabilities, which includes the military satellites, ground support infrastructure, terminals, modems, and bandwidth. This is an exciting time to join the Space Category, as we transition to a pan-Government Enterprise Space Category (ESC), that aims to drive collaborative behaviours, improved procurement strategies and deliver better value for money across Government in Space
The Roles Available Within The Team Cover The Full Range Of Activities Required Of The Commercial Function To Help Defence Digital Deliver The SKYNET 6 Programme. This Includes:
Leading and supporting competitive and single-source procurements for the next generation of new and complex military satellites, ground infrastructure, terminals and other equipment;
Sourcing and contract management of Space Professional Services contracts;
Management of existing contracts to deliver the critical in-service support to the SKYNET system; and,
Management of existing contracts to design and manufacture satellites and equipment that will sustain the programme into the next decade.
All members of the Space Category team will also be actively involved in the development and implementation of the pan-government Enterprise Space Category through inputs into the category strategy and related workstreams.
Some of the roles will have line management responsibility.
The post advertised is full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority’s sole discretion.
As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.
Person specification
In depth experience in a commercial or procurement environment, including managing tender processes and contract management
Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.
Experience in supplier management
Experience of leading, managing and developing others.
Stakeholder management and influencing, with strong communication skills
Confident with making decisions and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Ability to manage competing priorities, assess information rapidly and be flexible to respond to dynamic situations
Candidates should have Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, CIPS Level 4, or be willing to achieve this qualification by commencing study once in post. This will be fully funded and supported by MOD.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
People Standards for the Profession – Understanding Sourcing Needs and Options – Associate Commercial Lead
People Standards for the Profession – Contract and Supplier Management – Associate Commercial Lead
Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate, although we expect the role to require office working on 4 days per week
Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum, payable to staff on completion of CIPS Level 4 and mandatory commercial e-learning courses.
Fully funded training for professional qualifications with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a global membership organisation
MOD Corsham has on site parking, staff restaurant, coffee shops, sports facilities including fully equipped 24/7 gym for a fraction of the cost of a commercial gym. Classes run daily by fully trained PT instructors.
MOD Corsham is a modern building surrounded by countryside, perfect for lunchtimes walks.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Applications will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and suitability statement. Please complete the CV section setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements. You must also complete a suitability statement (of no more than 1250 words). This is your opportunity to provide us with additional information that highlights relevant achievements and experience, and the required skills and behaviours listed in this advertisement that make you suitable for the role.
Note: you will NOT be able to attach your CV as a separate document. Applicants may use AI when preparing documents, but the content must be factually accurate.
At Interview Stage:
You will have the opportunity to provide further detail supporting your application, specifically relating to the Skills (People Standards for the Profession – Associate Commercial Lead) and Behaviours (CS Behaviours – Level 3).
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
During the interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours and technical skills:
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options
Contract & Supplier Management
Candidates invited to interview will be required to deliver a short (5 minute) presentation on the topic: ‘What makes a good Leader in the Procurement function?’
Interviews are planned Face to Face at MOD Corsham, from week commencing March 17th 2025 (subject to change)
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Please read this document prior to completing your application. |
Country: United Kingdom
