Commercial Relationship Advisor (Procurement)

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Are you seeking an opportunity to further develop your procurement expertise?
Do you have experience in managing end to end procurement and supporting major transactions?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
This is an exciting opportunity created by the promotion of the previous post holder. The team are currently based in Leeds, London and Swansea.
In this role, you will develop a deep understanding of a dynamic commercial environment, frequently engaging with deals of substantial contractual value while contributing to the enhancement of national infrastructure, major rail projects, and public benefits.
This role will require working on multiple procurements and commercial interventions at the same time and a thirst and commitment to developing your commercial knowledge.
Please note: This is not a sales development role., The Commercial Relationship Management (CRM) Team serves as a vital interface between the Department for Transport's (DfT) business areas—spanning Rail, Maritime, Aviation, and Roads and the services provided by the Group Commercial Directorate and its delivery partners, such as Crown Commercial Services.
As part of the CRM Rail Mode, the post holder will play a key role in delivering essential commercial advice and procurement support to clients, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and the effective delivery of services.
The CRM Rail Mode Team stands out due to its responsibility for managing two distinct frameworks. The first is the Crown Commercial Rail Legal Services Panel (RM6204), which offers niche rail-focused legal services primarily to the Department for Transport (DfT). The second is the £600 million STAR Three Framework, dedicated to providing transport-focused technical and commercial consultancy, which is fully owned and managed by the CRM Rail Mode Team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the delivery and management of the STAR Three Framework.
This is a highly complex area, reflecting the intricate nature of procurements, rail projects, and the significant changes occurring within the sector. The role will support the Commercial Relationship Manager in establishing and maintaining robust processes to ensure commercial rigour across the three rail Director General-led Groups, as well as other CRM Modes and associated bodies or stakeholders as necessary. A key focus will be on ensuring that projects are successfully delivered in alignment with the Department's and Government's strategic aims and objectives.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement due to the client focused nature of the role for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.
Responsibilities
Include, but not limited to:
+ Use the DfT’s Jaggaer system, manage procurements within the contractual delegation (up to £5m – subject to experience) from strategy development through to contract award and contract mobilisation.
+ Build close and trusted relationships with clients across the Director General led Rail Groups, advising customers on the procurement process and on the development of procurement strategies.
+ As appropriate, support the strategic and operational framework management and re-procurement of frameworks by organising engagement events/meetings, and collating reports, risk logs and communications to senior stakeholders/ suppliers.
+ Ensure that contracts awarded within their contractual delegation are fit for purpose, successfully handed over to the appropriate Contract Manager for management. In addition to this provide support to Contract Managers on performance and contractual escalations.
For further information, please see the attached Role Profile, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Making Effective Decisions, Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 27th January 2025.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
+ interview with two short situational based exercises on information provided on the day.
This interview could be conducted online via Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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You will be required to adeptly manage competing priorities while ensuring timely and consistent delivery. This role demands the ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously with confidence and efficiency.
As a Commercial Relationship Advisor, you will lead projects effectively, fostering collaboration within a team-oriented environment, and applying your expertise to deliver results with precision.
Your commercial acumen and decision-making skills will enable you to balance risk management with the achievement of optimal commercial outcomes. With a proactive mindset towards continuous learning and development, you will demonstrate a commitment to expanding your commercial and technical knowledge. Additionally, your exceptional organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail will ensure the delivery of consistently high-quality outcomes.
The successful candidate will hold a procurement qualification, such as MCIPS, or be actively working towards obtaining one, or will be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience. Candidates without MCIPS or an equivalent qualification will be required to undertake CIPS qualifications, subject to internal budget approval.
The successful candidate will be expected to achieve the Contract Management Commercial Capability (CMCP) Foundation Level accreditation and obtain the CIPS Ethical Training Certificate while in post., 1. A written behavioural example in 250 words that provides evidence of you having demonstrated the following:
+ Making Effective Decisions
2. A tailored CV that demonstrates suitability to the role and the essential criteria.
3. A Personal statement in 1000 words providing detailed evidence of the following:
+ Experience in managing end-to-end procurement processes and supporting major transactions, including experience in using procurement sourcing systems.
+ Demonstrating strong commercial judgement with a proven track record of making informed decisions that effectively balance risk management with achieving desirable commercial outcomes.
+ Engaging with clients to understand, manage and effectively address their requirements, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and alignment with project objectives.
+ Proven experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external clients and stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration to achieve shared objectives and drive successful outcomes.
+ Proven experience in designing and developing dashboards and reports to present data insights effectively.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Alongside your salary of £42,848, Department for Transport contributes £12,413 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.