Commercial Lead

The Government Commercial Organization is an employer which is truly committed to creating 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 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 Organization (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but is based in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero commercial team delivering Departmental priorities.

Over the past few years, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has been through a considerable period of positive transformation. This role in the DESNZ commercial team represents a truly unique opportunity to help shape and support the DESNZ commercial function as it supports the execution of multiple high priority Government objectives.

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 through best-in-class contracts.

The Government Commercial Organization is an employer which is truly committed to creating 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 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 Organization (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but is based in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero commercial team delivering Departmental priorities.

Over the past few years, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has been through a considerable period of positive transformation. This role in the DESNZ commercial team represents a truly unique opportunity to help shape and support the DESNZ commercial function as it supports the execution of multiple high priority Government objectives.

As a Commercial Lead, you will provide expert commercial leadership across a diverse portfolio of research, modelling, technical assurance, consultancy and grant-funded programmes ensuring full compliance with commercial, grant, and subsidy control rules.

These roles might include line management, supporting their performance, growth and professional development.

We have two positions of which one of each sits in the below Teams

Net Zero Buildings and Industry:

The Net Zero Buildings and Industry team contribute to the UKs clean heat transition and net zero ambitions. They focus on Heat decarbonisation initiatives, working with Clean Heat directorate, supporting the delivery of complex commercial arrangements and ensuring robust contract and supplier management. The team specialise on the commercial delivery of heat network programmes that are central to the UKs net zero strategy.

Non-Nuclear Energy:

Non-Nuclear Energy encompasses a wider range and diverse set of business areas. These include the UKs first of a kind Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage programme, Energy Affordability, Clean Power supporting the 2030 decarbonisation targets and beyond, Office of Clean Energy Jobs, Electricity Networks and how these operate and support the electrification of our lives, Renewables for On-shore, Off-shore and floating windfarms, solar, wave, even maintaining support for fossil fuels as well as Analysis Directorate that underpins all the decisions we make.

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.

This role will include but not be limited to supporting teams to:

Commercial Strategy & Advisory

• Develop and deliver commercial strategies for technical, analytical and affordability portfolios.

• Provide authoritative commercial advice on sourcing routes, pricing models, risk allocation and market shaping.

• Contribute commercial input into business cases and investment papers.

• Briefing and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

• Advising on Social Value

Procurement Delivery

• Planning the procurement approach, conditions of participation, evaluation, and pricing mechanism. Noting these will have to reflect the new Procurement Act.

• Lead procurements through full lifecycle market engagement, ITT drafting, evaluation planning, moderation, contract award.

• Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 , Sourcing Playbook, GCF standards and DESNZ commercial governance.

• Work collaboratively with UKSBS, ICS Commercial and GLD Legal as well other Pan-government stakeholders.

Contract & Supplier Management

• Oversee contract mobilisation and supplier performance frameworks.

• Manage commercial risks, KPIs, variations and assurance processes.

• Provide audit-ready documentation and continuous commercial oversight.

• Supporting the development of a high value contract/s and advising on sourcing approaches and contract models, reviewing and contributing to weekly papers and focus topics.

• Leading on an extensive series of market engagement activities through workshops, 1:1 meetings, and RFIs which require commercial oversight in this high-risk environment.

Grant Management Responsibilities

You will act as the commercial partner on grant-funded activity, with responsibility for:

• Supporting design and assurance of grant schemes (including affordability and supply-chain support programmes).

• Advising on the appropriate commercial vs. grant delivery route , ensuring robust rationale and compliance.

• Ensuring grant-funded projects meet Managing Public Money, Subsidy Control Act , and DESNZ grant governance requirements.

• Reviewing grant agreements, milestones, evidence requirements, monitoring arrangements and payment controls.

• Providing oversight of ...