Head of Construction Framework

162064

£70,176 - £96,909

GCO Pension, GCO Terms. Up to 15% performance-related-pay available on accreditation

Permanent

GCF - Department for Education

Commercial

Flexible working, Full-time, Homeworking, Job share, Part-time, Compressed Hours

1

Bristol, Cambridge, Coventry, Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Watford

Building a strong Commercial Function in Government, and with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of Civil Service reform.

We are building a cadre of commercial talent in all Government departments; people who can manage our commercial portfolios, who can lead our most complex and novel programmes and projects, people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside our policy and operational leaders to develop innovative commercial arrangements, whether through joint ventures, outsourcing or best-in-class contracts.

The Government Commercial Organisation is an employer which is truly committed to creDating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and are able to perform to their potential. We understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and strive for a workplace that reflects the communities which we serve. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, candidates with a disability and candidates with gender-diverse identities. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We have already made significant progress through the establishment of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but based in our Department for Education commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

You will be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer. You will play a key leadership role and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the Department for Education and across government.

This is a critical and influential position that will operate a key construction framework used by the department’s major building programmes, local authorities and education institutions for the delivery of education buildings and for the first time by other government departments for the delivery of other public buildings. You will gain a deep understanding of departmental and government priorities and ensure that the framework is marketed and operated to deliver best commercial outcomes from c.£1bn construction spend annually, underpin the delivery of current and future DfE Capital programmes and objectives, and support industry transformation.

Responsibilities

You will be amongst the most senior members of the Government Commercial Function and play a role in the broader commercial reform programme led by the Government Chief Commercial Officer. You will play a key leadership role and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the Department for Education and across government.

This is a critical and influential position that will operate a key construction framework used by the department’s major building programmes, local authorities and education institutions for the delivery of education buildings and for the first time by other government departments for the delivery of other public buildings. You will gain a deep understanding of departmental and government priorities and ensure that the framework is marketed and operated to deliver best commercial outcomes from c.£1bn construction spend annually, underpin the delivery of current and future DfE Capital programmes and objectives, and support industry transformation.

This is a challenging and exciting leadership role with a high degree of accountability. As a highly visible commercial leader, you will build strong and trusted relationships with senior stakeholders within the department, wider government and industry, to ensure the successful operation of the framework and delivery of capital programmes and projects. Championing innovation and continuous improvement you will help drive delivery of key department and government priorities for the education estate, aligned to the Construction Playbook and other policy requirements such as modern methods of construction, whole life cost and carbon, social value, modern slavery and early supplier involvement. You will use data and judgement to drive decision making and performance.

You will lead a dedicated and experienced, high performing team of ten from diverse professional backgrounds to ensure that the framework operates successfully and benefits are achieved and tracked.

You will be accountable for all commercial activity within your team, ensuring compliance with governance policy and processes.

You will have deep construction commercial expertise in complex, large-scale and high value environments, excellent awareness of the market and commercial processes and a CIPS, RICS or other relevant professional qualification or alternative experience is beneficial.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the effective operation of the construction framework, working with suppliers and teams across DfE to ensure that the costing, design, procurement and construction of framework projects deliver best commercial outcomes, underpin the delivery of current and future DfE capital programmes and objectives and support delivery of key policies.
  

• Leading a diverse team of construction commercial professionals across multiple locations to develop and operate the framework successfully, monitoring performance and identifying opportunities for improvements. You will get the best from your people by creating the culture and environment that motivates and is inclusive so that they remain engaged and feel valued.
  

• Leading supplier management within the framework to ensure strong and effective supplier management, creating positive supplier relationships that support high performance and delivery of outcomes, encourage innovation and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
  

• Driving use and growth of the framework by both existing and new users with a strong focus on user engagement, marketing and training.
  

• Ensuring that framework performance and benefits are identified, tracked, delivered and reported; creating initiatives for your team to deliver increased performance and benefits whilst managing risk.

• Building and maintaining a personal network of stakeholders; building strong working relationships with programme, legal, technical standards and commercial teams, suppliers, senior internal customers, other experts and stakeholders across the public and private sector including Cabinet Office and other government departments;
  

• Supporting, challenging and guiding senior stakeholders (internal and external); providing high quality support to ministers, commercial senior leadership, and other DfE stakeholders;
  

• Advocating continuous improvement and change where relevant, leading and supporting your team, engaging with stakeholders to communicate and embed improved ways of working;

• Representing Capital Commercial in senior meetings across DfE, wider government and externally at industry events, actively networking with peers to remain current with industry trends and commercial best practice;

• Commitment to high standards, demonstrate excellent communication, influencing and relationship management skills, and contribute clear, incisive thinking on a range of areas relating to the department’s most important capital priorities;

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Assertive:Experience of influencing at board level or similar as well as with key stakeholders and suppliers within a highly complex, fast moving, commercially-focused environment.
• Manages Complexity:Significant personal involvement in complex and large-scale commercial construction negotiations including ensuring value for money.
• Market Insight:Deep understanding of the construction market and experience leading teams through procurement, developing strategy & sourcing new high-value construction works & services contracts & leading supplier relationships.
• Commercial Focus:Significant construction commercial experience in both routine and crisis management scenarios.
• Builds Relationships:Excellent stakeholder management skills with gravitas to build credible peer relationships at all levels, including Ministers. Can influence external & internal partners in a way that secures mutually beneficial outcomes
• Coaching Manager:A track record of leading and developing technically capable commercial teams in large-scale complex organisations
• Contract and Supply Management:Experience across the full construction project lifecycle, including procurement & delivery of high value contracts. Experience driving SRM to improve performance. M/FRICS MCIPS or relevant equivalent experience.

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

Please note that any move across the Civil Service on or after 4 October 2018 may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.