Head of Platform Engineering (Senior Technical Architect)

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than 2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the governments office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK His Majestys Government we are leading transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern, cost-effective real estate service solutions.

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. And were dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service. Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The role will be responsible for overseeing the contract administration of a number of Workplace Services contracts, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and alignment with organisational objectives.

These contracts include (but are not limited to) Hard FM, Soft FM, Catering, Operational Security and Performance Partner across the national portfolio. The numbers and types of contracts will flex with business needs.

The role requires a proactive approach to, optimising the efficiency and effectiveness of contract administration, working closely with the Operational Contract managers to improve performance, and mitigating risks associated with contractual and service delivery obligations.

You will have:

• Deep experience in Contract Management gained on large complex multi-site service contracts ideally in the public sector across national and/or regional landscapes.
• The credibility, diplomacy and gravitas to represent the GPAs interests when dealing with very senior management from suppliers.
• A strong communicator, able to work with a range of audiences and provide strategic and operational performance information that is clear and concise to support the GPAs decision making.
• Able to think creatively and innovatively about problems and explore solutions based on evidence and data to support the goals of the GPA.
• Collaborative in your approach, encouraging challenge and discussion from stakeholders to drive effective negotiation and pragmatic solutions.
• Able to handle a high workload and a wide variety of tasks and take care in prioritising work and managing stakeholder expectations.
• A good written communicator, able to explain complex procedures and policies in clear language for a range of audiences applying consideration to accessibility and diversity.

Experience & Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Management of large, complex, multi-site service contracts across national and/or regional landscapes
• Accredited Expert in Contract Management (Government Commercial College) or prepared to follow a learning path to achieve.
• Excellent strategic and people leadership skills
• Good communication skills
• Organisational skills

Desirable criteria:

• Member of CIPS
• CIWFM or FIWFM
• CCM Advanced Practitioner / CCM Expert
• Experience of delivery under NEC3 and NEC4 contracts.
• Data analysis skills
• Public Sector experience
• Governance & controls experience
• Commercial sector experience

Qualifications and Accreditations

Gold Standard Accreditations - to hold or be able to demonstrate working towards - CIWFM/FIWFM