Deputy Commercial Director - Digital & Security

Job summary

The Cabinet Office and HM Treasury operate at the heart of the UK government, and we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive Commercial team that truly reflects the society we serve. We warmly welcome applications from all backgrounds, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or working pattern, and we champion flexible and inclusive ways of working.

The COHMT Commercial team is currently undergoing an exciting strategic evolution, transitioning into a highly specialised Commercial Delivery and Operations model. As part of this transformation, we are looking for an inspiring and collaborative Deputy Commercial Director to lead our Digital, Technology, and Security cluster.

In this role, you will have a significant impact on some of the UK’s most critical digital and security transformations. You will lead a high-performing team, drive commercial strategies for major technology platforms, and shape the way the government buys innovation. If you are passionate about using your commercial expertise to deliver value for taxpayers, championing SME inclusion, and fostering a supportive, dynamic, and kind team culture, this is a uniquely rewarding opportunity to shape the future of government technology.

Your role will have a significant impact delivering policy objectives, strengthening commercial acumen

Across both departments and ultimately delivering value for taxpayers.

We are looking for a talented commercial professional to join the Commercial Leadership Team and help to deliver strategic, operational and cultural change, transforming how commercial services are delivered across both departments. This will be a stretching and uniquely rewarding position.

Job description

Following a recent strategic redesign, the COHMT Commercial Directorate has transitioned to a three-cluster model. As the Deputy Commercial Director, you will play a crucial leadership role heading up the Digital & Security Cluster.

Reflecting the new team structure, this role has dedicated, specialist responsibility for the Digital / Technology, Security, and HM Treasury categories, alongside overseeing dedicated Commercial and some Operational Contract Management for these areas.

You will lead a multidisciplinary commercial team to execute complex procurements, manage strategic relationships with major global technology vendors, and act as a senior business partner supporting business units across the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

Key Expectations of the Role:

• Strong Supportive Leadership: Be an active and supportive Leader within the COHMT Directorate Commercial Leadership Team , the wider Cabinet Office and HMT Treasury SCS community. Undertaking cross Government view to support the aims of both Departments and the role model the Civil Service Values.
• Strategic Category Leadership: Direct the commercial lifecycle across a dynamic portfolio encompassing agile digital solutions, cybersecurity frameworks, major enterprise software, and bespoke HM Treasury commercial requirements.
• Vendor & Complex Deal Management: Lead high-stakes negotiations with major global technology providers (e.g., Microsoft, Google) to secure optimum commercial terms, eliminate licensing overlaps, and drive value.
• Driving SME Inclusion: Proactively utilise GCA frameworks to ensure a diverse supply chain and continuously exceed SME award rate targets.
• Business Partnering: Act as the senior commercial point of contact, seamlessly translating highly technical digital requirements and HM Treasury policy objectives into viable, value-for-money commercial delivery plans.
• Navigating Change & Ambiguity: Provide resilient, steady leadership during periods of significant organisational transformation, managing complex inter-departmental transfers (Machinery of Government changes) without any disruption to live services.
• Inclusive Team Leadership: Work collegiately as a member of the COHMT Commercial Leadership Team. Act as a visible role model for our core values—Curious, Collaborative, Kind, Integrity, and Focused on value for money—ensuring your team is fully supported, accredited, and empowered to succeed

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.

Person specification

• Strategic Category Leadership: Develop and own the overarching commercial strategy for a highly complex and dynamic portfolio encompassing Digital, Security, and HM Treasury. You will be accountable for maturing category offers and leading on high-profile, strategic initiatives including the GBNI/NewMat plane programme, critical national security capabilities, and major enterprise software agreements (e.g., Microsoft, Google, AWS).
• Senior Stakeholder Partnering: Build trusted, highly effective relationships with senior executives across the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. Act as a definitive commercial authority to shape future operating models and commercial strategies for sensitive business areas, including UK Security Vetting, COBRA Resilience, and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.
• Resilient & Inclusive Leadership: Provide outstanding, steady leadership to a multidisciplinary commercial team, particularly through periods of significant organisational change or location strategy transitions. Foster a psychologically safe, inclusive environment, and actively coach team members to achieve commercial accreditations through Assessment and Development Centres.
• Complex Deal & Dispute Resolution: Act as the senior escalation point for complex, high-risk commercial situations. You will proactively intervene to negotiate terms, prevent formal legal challenges (e.g., managing risks akin to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation systems), resolve 'working at risk' situations, and eliminate financial risks such as double-licensing costs.
• Governance & Functional Excellence: Drive commercial capability and robust governance across the departments. This includes chairing Commercial Assurance Boards, implementing targeted spend controls for Consultancy and Professional Services, and establishing overarching agreements like the Memorandum of Understanding governing commercial services between the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.
• Contract Management & Audit Compliance: Ensure rigorous contract management standards are embedded across the Security, Digital, and HM Treasury portfolios. You will be accountable for driving continuous improvement against internal audit targets, ensuring vital accreditations (such as achieving 'Green' status for Security Contract Management) are met and maintained.
• Data Integrity & Transparency: Champion the use of commercial systems and artificial intelligence