Head of Commercial

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

Every week, we carry out hundreds of inspections and regulatory visits throughout England and publish the results online. We also report on standards across the country and are accountable directly to Parliament. Ofsted’s inspections are independent and impartial.

The Finance, Property and Commercial Directorate teams are located in each of Ofsted's main offices although the Commercial team is based in Manchester.

About the role

This is a challenging and exciting leadership role, where you’ll direct all commercial activity within Ofsted and implement commercial policy and compliance with the Government Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework.

You’ll make sure all contracts are procured following Public Sector procurement regulations, that spending controls are in place and adhered to, and that commercial strategies are undertaken which assess business needs and identify an effective, VFM and compliant solution. 

You’ll also be an advocate of change, with responsibility for redesigning processes, leading the commercial team, building capability and engaging with stakeholders to communicate and embed improved ways of working.

About you

You’ll have full membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and/or Supply (MCIPS) or IACCM (Commercial and Contracts), another equivalent qualification, or an equivalent qualification and evidence of relevant experience in a government commercial function.

In addition, you’ll bring:

• detailed knowledge of public sector procurement rules and the Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework 
• experience of leading and delivering change within a commercial team and across a range of stakeholders
• a track record of successfully building technical capability and dealing with poor performance and behaviours
• an ability to influence senior stakeholders, particularly when proposing an unpopular route forward
• significant experience in delivering commercial outcomes in managing public money and commercial best practice
• procurement and commercial experience including supplier contract/relationship management skills 
• extensive knowledge of contractual terms and conditions and commercial constructs
• significant experience managing a variety of categories of procurement and commercial programmes and projects, utilising multiple routes to market

About our benefits

Ofsted is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities, 32.5 annual leave days a year (plus eight public holidays) and counselling and advisory services for you and your family. 

To apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: 11.55pm on Saturday 15 August 2021.