Government Chief Commercial Officer

Job summary

Based within the Cabinet Office, the Government Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO) leads the Commercial Function across the entire Civil Service, partnering and advising at the most senior levels. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer of the Civil Service, the role is accountable for evolving and implementing the commercial strategy for the Civil Service, positioning the commercial function as a key delivery partner in all commercial relationships and helping departments realise efficiency savings.

The GCCO is responsible for implementing professional standards for circa 6,000 Commercial professionals, as well as leading and building strong commercial expertise across all Government Departments. Commercial resources overseen by the Function consist of;

• a number of core interlocking central teams working together on Policy, Standards and Continuous Improvement, Complex Transactions, Markets and Suppliers (that will build pan-government relationships with key suppliers) and Commercial Capability;
• colleagues in the Commercial Directorates within Departments and Agencies, and;
• the Crown Commercial Service, a trading fund sourcing common goods and services for the Civil Service and the wider public sector, managing spend of circa �30bn in 2022 / 23.

This role will also have oversight and direct management of the Government Grants Function (GGMF). Grants are a vital funding tool for government, key to the delivery of government priorities including Net Zero, Levelling Up as well as stimulating innovation and rebuilding the economy.� The Government Grants Function (GGMF) is focused on unlocking the greatest value from grant funds for citizens and the economy improving capability and driving delivery excellence to secure better outcomes.�

The GGMF supports government departments and their Arms Lengths Bodies to achieve increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of government grants, from the design of a grant scheme to evaluation of outcomes. Government grant spend in 2022 / 23 totalled �156bn. As Director General across both grants and commercial you will actively drive the close partnership between the GGMF and GCF to achieve greater effectiveness in the design and delivery of commercial contracts and grant schemes.

Job description

Please see the Candidate Information Pack further information.

Person specification

Please see the Candidate Information Pack further information.

Benefits

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

For existing Civil Servants : For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack. Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers.