Commercial and Contract Manager

Greater London Authority (GLA)
Good Growth

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the team

The Mayor wants to make London a zero-carbon city by 2030 and our GLA Group Clean Power Commercial Programme will play an important role in driving these efforts

About the role

The post holder will be accountable for the strategic management of complex contracts and procurement processes that drive the GLA’s and Programme’s goals, ensuring a focus on delivering value for money and enhancing outcomes for Londoners. They will ensure integration between the GLA Group Clean Power Commercial Programme and other related programmes and strategies, accelerates the purchasing of clean power, solar panel installations on buildings, heat pumps roll out and buildings retrofit among public sector organisations across London. They will provide commercial expertise to ensure this programme is delivered to high standard, provide guidance and support, engage with key stakeholders, and work closely with senior leadership and the Mayor’s Office to deliver the Mayor’s ambitions.

They will work with a wide array of stakeholders such as GLA Group organisations (Transport for London, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, London Fire Brigade, London Legacy Development Corporation, The Metropolitan Police Service and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation), central government, London Treasury, Community Energy Groups, London Boroughs, schools, and other delivery partners.

What your day will look like:

• Demonstrate inclusive leadership by fostering a culture where diverse perspectives are valued, team members feel empowered, and equity is embedded in decision-making processes.
• Provide expert commercial support to deliver agreed Mayoral projects and programmes. This includes procuring and managing consultants and contractors and managing allocated resources in accordance with the Greater London Authority’s policies and Code of Ethics and Standards.
• Shape and lead commercial negotiations with both new and incumbent suppliers through a pre-defined acceptable conclusion and give strategic advice and support to complex contracts at procurement, contract exit and contract reviews.
• Deliver measurable and significant commercial results including cost savings and other indirect benefits to the GLA.
• Provide guidance and advice on the commercial end-to-end lifecycle to stakeholders, securing engagement and business buy-in; develop and implement robust commercial strategies for the GLA; compile and issue tenders; negotiate and place contracts; amend and manage contracts and disputes in line with GLA governance.
• Ensure all commercial activity represents best value for money; ensure compliance with regulations and policy, as well as best practice; exploit existing enabling arrangements where available.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting against key measures and targets for inclusion in stakeholder dashboards and wider commercial management information (MI) requirements.
• Keep abreast of relevant environmental and other policies, initiatives and opportunities.
• Establish and maintain excellent internal and external working relationships, and participate in cross-organisational and sector projects, to ensure opportunities for integration are maximised across the work programme of the GLA Group and that relationships with key stakeholders are further enhanced.
• Present the projects, in the context of the Mayor’s policies, objectives and concerns at conferences, seminars and meetings to external bodies and organisations, and deputise for Senior Managers by representing the GLA at national policy and regional meetings and on study groups and working parties.
• Realise the benefits of London’s diversity by promoting and enabling equality of opportunities and promoting the diverse needs and aspirations of London’s communities.
• Realise the benefits of a flexible approach to work in undertaking the duties and responsibilities of this job, and participating in multi-disciplinary, cross-department and cross-organisational groups and project teams.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Significant commercial or procurement expertise, including Sourcing through to contract management, likely to have been gained from having a leading role in the public sector and/or complex commercial environment.
• Experience of influencing and leading complex commercial activities and projects, and the ability to effectively prioritise a varied workload with demanding deadlines.
• Evidence of negotiation skills, likely to have been gained from multiple large deals. Able to demonstrate examples of having been forceful in order to secure a deal, while maintaining strong customer/supplier relationships.
• Experience working on complex commercial projects involving novel and non-standard commercial and contractual mechanisms, with the ability to identify improvements that deliver greater commercial outcomes
• Ability to make recommendations and decisions based on partial or incomplete information, and consider multiple interconnected commercial risks to arrive at a balanced course of action or solution.
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Level 4, or have gained similar knowledge by work experience.

Behavioural competencies

Problem Solving

is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 3 Indicators of Effective Performance:

• Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding
• Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice
• Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address complex issues
• Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes
• Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions

Decision Making

is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Level 4 Indicators of Effective Performance:

• Makes difficult decisions for the long-term benefit of the organisation
• Presents and instils confidence in strategic decision-making
• Consults a diverse range of stakeholders early in critical organisation-wide decisions
• Stands by the decisions and actions of the GLA
• Accepts and promotes accountability for the GLA’s decision-making
• Ensures the organisation balances effective risk management with the need for timely actions

Strategic Thinking

is using an understanding of the bigger picture to uncover potential challenges and opportunities for the long term and turning these into a compelling vision for action.

Level 3 Indicators of Effective Performance:

• Translates GLA vision and strategy into practical and tangible plans for own team or delivery partners
• Consistently takes account of the wider implications of team’s actions for the GLA and Londoners
• Encourages self and others to think about organisation’s long-term potential
• Informs strategy development by identifying gaps in current delivery or evidence
• Takes account of a wide range of public and partner needs to inform team’s work

Building and Managing Relationships

is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 4 Indicators of Effective Performance:

• Identifies and engages a diverse range of influential contacts within stakeholder and community groups, and partner organisations
• Builds alliances to establish mutually beneficial working arrangements, openly sharing knowledge and insights
• Actively challenges and addresses ‘silo attitudes’ to encourage effective relationship-building inside and outside the GLA
• Understands the complexities of political dynamics and uses this to manage relationships and resolve conflict effectively
• Identifies clear win-win situations with external partners

Communicating and Influencing

is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 4 Indicators of Effective Performance:

• Articulates self with credibility and conviction, encouraging buy-in to corporate position
• Influences the thinking of other organisations, encouraging them to deliver with the GLA
• Ensures that the organisation communicates inclusively with staff and external stakeholders
• Acts as a credible and convincing spokesperson and negotiator for the GLA
• Instils a corporate commitment to accessible communication

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV
• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words . click apply for full job details