National Armaments Digital & Data - Senior Commercial Manager - Enterprise Space Category (ESC)

We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.

National Armaments Digital & Data (NA-D&D) teams operate across Defence to integrate digital and data activity, set standards, deliver common services and platforms, and develop the people and skills required for a digitally integrated, warfighting-capable force.

In support of this, NA-D&D Commercial is the core team responsible for delivering outstanding outcomes and value for Defence across its exploitation of digital and information technologies, through our oversight and management of all third- party IT spend for Defence.

We are responsible for a large portfolio of complex contracts worth 4.7bn a year, through more than 300 suppliers. We have implemented Enterprise Category Management and operate across five categories Networks, Hardware and Services, Space, Software and Professional Services engaging with suppliers of all sizes and specialisms across the Defence landscape.

We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

The Enterprise Space Category (ESC) delivers commercial activity across a diverse and strategically important portfolio, ranging from multi-billion SKYNET satellite procurements and future military satellite communications services, to cross-government collaboration on space-based capabilities and the procurement of individual LEO SATCOM terminals.

ESC brings together cross-MOD and cross-Government stakeholders, including National Armaments Materiel, Digital & Data and Innovation; Space Command; Air Command; UK Space Agency; DSIT; and the Government Commercial Agency, to improve commercial coherence, strengthen procurement strategies and deliver better value for money across the space enterprise.

Annual spend across the Category is approximately 450m, of which circa 418m is MOD spend.

The role will provide commercial support to the SKYNET Integrated Enterprise Solution (SKIES) which is a transformation project developing options for the future delivery model for the SKYNET Programme. SKYNET is a family of Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) systems operated for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), providing strategic communication services to the UK Armed Forces and Allies.

The ESC is responsible for placing and managing the portfolio of SKYNET Contracts that support MOD satellite communications capabilities, including satellites, ground infrastructure, terminals, modems, bandwidth and associated support services. This is an exciting time to join the ESC as the team shapes the next phase of SKYNET delivery and embeds Category Management principles across wider Government space procurement.

The role will cover the full range of commercial activities required to deliver SKIES and support the transition towards the future operational service provision. This includes:

• Undertaking end-to-end procurement activity, from developing market insight and understanding supplier capability, through to shaping requirements, commercial models, procurement strategies and commercial strategies for SKIES and wider SKYNET requirements;
• Planning and running compliant competitions, including developing sourcing approaches, drafting Invitation to Negotiate documentation, preparing evaluation criteria and supporting tender evaluation, moderation, negotiation and award decisions;
• Leading and supporting competitive and single-source procurements for complex military satellite communications requirements, including future operational service contracts and related professional services support;
• Contributing to the development and implementation of the pan-government Enterprise Space Category Strategy, ensuring procurement decisions are informed by category insight, stakeholder priorities and opportunities to improve value for money across Government space activity;
• Managing contracts once awarded, including supplier and stakeholder relationships, performance management, contract change, risk, benefits tracking, service continuity and transition or exit activity where required; and
• Where applicable, undertaking line management responsibilities and supporting the development of commercial capability within the ESC Category team.

In this role you will contribute to delivering commercial excellence for the Enterprise Space Category (ESC) through, analysing key supply markets to understand the characteristics of new markets, and inform key procurement decisions. You will work on all stages of the procurement process, sourcing, mobilising contracts, managing the delivery and performance of the contract, supplier relationship management (SRM), carrying out contract changes, managing risk within the contract and managing contract transition and exit. The postholder is likely to be responsible for a portfolio of contracts for both medium to high value and complexity.

Typical activities include (but are not limited to):

Pre-market Engagement

• Providing Commercial expertise and advice to the SKYNET Military SATCOM Project Delivery Team to develop Procurement and Commercial Strategies for the procurement of Military SATCOM services from the Space eco-system in accordance with the Enterprise Space Category (ESC) Category Strategy.
• Proactive market insight which includes a coordinated monitoring of potential and existing suppliers in a strategic and dynamic way

Sourcing

• Define and deliver Procurement processes in line with Public Sector Procurement Regulations and MOD Commercial Policy using assured procurement tools and systems.
• Selecting appropriate suppliers using relevant evaluation criteria and responsible for ensuring value for money for the duration of supplier engagement
• Negotiating Space Contract Terms and Conditions addressing risk and liabilities and appropriate pricing mechanisms, which deliver immediate and ongoing financial and non-financial benefits.
• Hold formal delegated powers of up to 10M.

Contract Management

• Identification, definition and tracking of financial and non-financial benefits and savings
• Ongoing proactive management of key stakeholder and supplier relationships
• Effective management of full life cycle of the contracts including performance management, managing changes and ensuring ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered
• Commercial risk identification, mitigation and management

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week, full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at NA-D&D Commercial's sole discretion.

As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within NA-D&D Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.

We are looking for a person who demonstrates:

• Significant experience of working in a commercial role undertaking large sourcing projects, and high value contract negotiation for complex contracts
• Experience in managing complex medium and high value contracts
• Experience of Category Management
• Practical experience in utilising market insight to aid sourcing and contract management
• Robust practical experience of negotiating commercial and contractual terms and conditions, including pricing and discounts
• Practical experience and expertise in Contract management, including managing contracts from contract award to contract closeout and exit activities
• Practical experience and expertise in Supplier Relationship management
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS Level 4, or be willing to achieve this qualification by commencing study once in post. This will be fully funded and ...