Commercial Deputy Director

Thank you for taking the time to find out about this exciting role of Commercial Deputy Director at UK Export Finance (UKEF).

UKEF is the UKs export credit agency and a government department strategically and operationally aligned with the Department for Business Trade. Founded in 1919 as the worlds first export credit agency, we have been innovating since day one and now have over 100 years track record supporting UK exports. We support UK exports from companies large and small helping to create economic growth and support jobs across the UK.

The UKEF Commercial Function was launched on 31st July 2023, with a clear mandate to develop and execute a strong commercial strategy to support UKEF achieve ambitions set out in the Business Plan. There have been significant early successes, and the commercial function already performs to a high standard.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a commercial professional to build on this early success and lead our function and deliver commercial excellence for UKEF and Government Commercial Function.

This role will report into the Director for Corporate Services and be a member of the senior leadership team for that directorate.

Operating as a commercial entity at the heart of government, UKEF plays a critical role in supporting UK exports. This is a unique opportunity for a commercial leader to manage a high-performing team of 13 commercial experts while remaining "hands-on" in a fast-paced, small-department environment.

The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight across the entire commercial lifecycle, ensuring that our procurement activities not only meet rigorous government standards but also deliver exceptional value for money and commercial impact.

As the lead for the commercial function, your remit will cover:

• Strategic Sourcing: You will lead the development of robust sourcing strategies and oversee the procurement of complex contracts. You will ensure that UKEFs requirements are met through innovative market engagement and efficient procurement routes.
• Policy, Performance, and Governance: You will champion UKEF commercial policy. This includes maintaining adherence to Government regulations and best practices, while managing the internal governance processes that keep our operations transparent and compliant.
• Contract Management: Beyond the initial award, you will drive effective contract management to maximise supplier performance. You will be responsible for ensuring that all commercial outcomes are delivered throughout the life of the contract.

This is a hands-on role; requirements and contracts span a number of categories including Corporate Services, Professional Services, Technology. You will develop effective relationships with stakeholders from across the business.

Locations:

The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.

Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.

This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.

• Development and delivery of the UKEF Commercial Strategy, vision and mission focussed on commercial outcomes including adding value and creating lasting change.
• Influence Departmental culture through effective commercial input, procurement excellence and effective contract management.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders including executive committee and board.
• Educate, advise, challenge and guide on commercial priorities.
• Ensure sufficient and capable resources are deployed across commercial function and to maintain high staff engagement.
• Lead a diverse team of commercial colleagues, ensuring they have the relevant skills and capability to outcomes, through coaching and mentoring.
• Deliver commercial outcomes measured by stretching functional KPIs.
• Manage Risk appropriately to get the correct outcomes for UKEF and Government.
• Responsibility for adherence to public procurement regulations, Government policy and best practice as well as maintenance of the UKEF commercial policy.
• Demonstrates the ability to act as an inspiring leader and a role model for the commercial team, wider Department and across Civil Service. Builds trust as a leader through demonstrating personal credibility and relationship skills.
• Drives and supports a culture that encourages a focus on performance and priorities.
• Demonstrates the ability to manage trade-offs and contradictions across commercial, policy, delivery and operations.
• Having a strong understanding of how to create value for money for all commercial deals.
• 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;

• Play a key leadership and change management role in developing a strong commercial function for the UKEF and across government.