Head of Commercial Digital

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is leading one of the most ambitious digital transformation agendas in government. The department is responsible for modernising how public services are designed, delivered and operated, replacing legacy approaches with platforms, products and delivery models designed to work at national scale.

This Head of Commercial role is focused on supporting the Government Digital Service (GDS) portfolio, the engine room of digital transformation across government. Work spans both the operation of nationally critical digital services and large-scale change to how government works. This includes owning and improving live products such as GOV.UK and One Login that are used by millions of people every day, alongside work to tackle the structural issues that stop services joining up. Improving how government understands users, how data is accessed and shared, and how departments design and deliver services across organisational boundaries. Together, this portfolio supports long-term reform, reliable delivery at scale, and more joined-up, user-centred public services.

This work supports large-scale digital transformation programmes with national impact. You will support major programmes as they scale, modernise and transition to new operating models, shaping commercial strategies that enable change rather than constrain it. The role offers the opportunity to influence decisions early, design commercial approaches that work for modern digital delivery, and help programmes move at pace while managing complexity, risk and public value.

You will work closely with teams delivering GDS programmes and platforms, providing commercial leadership across strategy, sourcing, contracting and supplier management. The work is high-profile, fast-moving and often precedent-setting, with a direct impact on nationally visible digital services used by millions of people.

DSIT Commercial operates as a central function, bringing together experienced commercial professionals supporting a broad and evolving portfolio. While your primary focus will be on GDS-led transformation, you will be part of a wider commercial community, with opportunities over time to work across other DSIT priority programmes, technologies and policy areas.

This role offers the chance to shape how digital government is delivered at scale, working on programmes that genuinely change how the state operates. If you are motivated by complex transformation, enjoy working where delivery, risk and innovation collide, and want to have real influence over high-impact digital programmes, this is a role where your judgement and expertise will matter.

The role supports major digital transformation initiatives, including nationally significant platforms and services that operate at scale across government.

The role will involve line management as well as a big focus on providing senior commercial leadership to complex delivery programmes. You will work closely with teams responsible for delivering GDS products and platforms, advising on commercial strategy, sourcing options, contracting approaches and supplier performance throughout the lifecycle.

Key stakeholders include programme and delivery leaders, within GDS, senior departmental officials, finance and legal colleagues, and a wide range of technology and delivery suppliers. You will act as a trusted commercial adviser, helping teams navigate complexity, manage risk and make informed decisions that support transformation objectives.

You will lead defined areas of commercial activity, while supporting more complex or high-risk procurements across the digital, data and technology portfolio. This may include platform and service sourcing, software and technology arrangements, and supplier partnerships operating in fast-moving and evolving delivery environments. The role requires the ability to apply commercial judgement, adapt approaches to suit modern digital delivery, and support programmes through change as services scale or transition.

In addition to your portfolio responsibilities, you will contribute to DSIT Commercials wider objectives, including strengthening commercial capability, improving tools and processes, and supporting a consistent, pragmatic approach to commercial delivery across an evolving departmental portfolio.

As a senior member of the DSIT Commercial team, youll lead commercial activity for a defined part of the GDS portfolio, working closely with delivery, digital, policy and operational colleagues. Youll report to a Deputy Director and play a visible leadership role across GDS and DSITs broader commercial function.

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.

• Lead and develop a team of commercial professionals, setting direction and driving high performance.
• Lead the development and delivery of commercial strategies across your area of responsibility.
• Provide expert commercial support and intervention across the full commercial lifecycle.
• Advise senior stakeholders on routes to market, risk, value for money and delivery confidence.
• Lead engagement with suppliers, managing performance, risk and contractual obligations.
• Negotiate effectively with suppliers to secure value, resolve issues and drive improved outcomes.
• Represent commercial in programme governance and contribute to key decision-making forums.
• Contribute to DSITs wider commercial improvement agenda, embedding best practice and innovation.
• Collaborate across the function to share insight, improve consistency and strengthen capability.