Commercial Contract Manager

Job summary

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

DSIT Commercial is a small, agile and high-performing commercial and grants function supporting one of the most complex and fast-moving portfolios in government. The team helps shape and deliver DSIT’s policy objectives through effective procurement, contracting, grants, commercial strategy, market engagement, supplier management and commercial assurance.

The function operates across a broad and growing remit, including digital and data, artificial intelligence, quantum, telecoms, space, research and innovation, digital public services and major infrastructure. DSIT Commercial also plays a wider pan-government role through initiatives such as the Commercial Innovation Hub and the Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence, supporting innovation, market shaping and the use of procurement as a lever for economic growth.

The Commercial SEO will lead and support end-to-end commercial activity across a defined portfolio, working closely with policy, delivery, finance, legal, analytical and technical colleagues. The post-holder will provide practical commercial advice, lead procurements and contract activity, manage commercial risks and help ensure that DSIT secures value for money, complies with procurement rules and delivers effective outcomes for the public.

This is a delivery-focused role requiring sound commercial judgement, strong stakeholder management and the ability to operate confidently in a complex, regulated and fast-paced environment. The post-holder may lead lower-risk procurements independently, support more complex and novel commercial activity, and contribute to the development of commercial strategies, market engagement, supplier management and continuous improvement across the team.

Person specification

Key responsibilities:

• Commercial strategy and advice: Provide clear, proportionate and evidence-based commercial advice to policy and delivery teams; support commercial strategies, procurement routes and market engagement approaches; translate complex commercial issues into practical options for senior stakeholders; and contribute to business cases, approval papers, commercial assurance products and governance submissions.
• Procurement and sourcing delivery: Lead or support procurement activity including market engagement, specification development, sourcing strategy, tender documentation, evaluation criteria, clarification management, moderation, award recommendations and contract mobilisation; use appropriate procurement routes in line with the Procurement Act 2023, relevant regulations, DSIT governance and Government Commercial Function standards; and ensure activity is fair, transparent, proportionate, well-documented and audit-ready.
• Contract and supplier management: Support effective contract management by helping define contract terms, performance measures, KPIs, service levels, reporting requirements and escalation routes; manage or support variations, extensions, disputes, supplier performance issues and exit or transition planning; and contribute to supplier relationship management, market insight and lessons learned activity.
• Governance, compliance and risk management: Ensure commercial activity complies with applicable procurement legislation, DSIT commercial policies, departmental approvals processes, the Civil Service Code and wider government commercial standards; maintain accurate records of decisions, approvals, risks, assumptions and evidence; and identify and manage commercial, delivery, financial, legal, reputational and supplier risks.
• Stakeholder engagement and leadership: Build trusted relationships with policy, delivery, finance, legal, digital, analytical and commercial colleagues; communicate clearly with different audiences; coach, support or task-manage junior colleagues where required; and contribute to continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and the development of better tools, templates and ways of working.

Essential criteria

• Delivering procurement, sourcing, contract management or commercial activity in a public sector, regulated or similarly complex environment.
• Providing practical commercial advice to stakeholders and helping shape requirements, sourcing routes or commercial options.
• Managing competing priorities and delivering commercial outputs to agreed timescales.
• Identifying and managing commercial risks, including supplier, delivery, financial, legal or compliance risks.
• Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, such as policy, finance, legal, digital, project delivery or technical specialists.
• Preparing clear written material, such as procurement documents, approval papers, evaluation records, commercial advice, contract documents or briefing notes.

• Good understanding of public procurement principles, commercial lifecycle management and value for money.
• Awareness of the Procurement Act 2023, the National Procurement Policy Statement and wider government commercial policy, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
• Strong commercial judgement, including the ability to identify options, assess risks and make proportionate recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex commercial issues clearly to non-commercial audiences.
• Good stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the confidence to challenge constructively and support effective decision-making.
• Good organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and audit trails.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, inclusion, professional development and the Civil Service values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of commercial activity in digital, data, technology, arti