Associate Commercial Lead London, England
Job description
About Us
MI5 safeguards the UK against threats such as terrorism, espionage, cyber and sabotage. We investigate suspect individuals and organisations in the UK to obtain, collate, analyse and assess secret intelligence relating to these threats. Alongside our British Intelligence partners MI6 and GCHQ, we provide the UK government with the information they need to protect national security. At MI5, you’ll enjoy varied and rewarding work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The Role
As an Associate Commercial Lead, you’ll work within an inclusive, collaborative commercial team to deliver a range of unique procurement projects. You’ll oversee activities in areas such as frontline operations, IT, HR and estates, or act as a customer lead, taking enquiries and delivering a dedicated customer-facing commercial service. Supporting the Commercial Lead, you’ll take responsibility for a portfolio of contract and framework agreements – enabling the provision of goods and services across the Intelligence Agencies.
You’ll ensure best practice principles are applied as you work in some highly sensitive operational areas. You’ll be involved in the entire project lifecycle - drafting specifications, inputting invitations to tender, evaluating contracts and ensuring value for money is achieved. In doing so, you’ll provide a responsive, efficient and professional supply chain service that aligns with customer requirements. You’ll also contribute to a programme of continuous improvement as you support the development of staff and enhance our commercial capabilities, and through effective task management, you’ll enable new procurement activity and act as a role model for the team members around you.
With your experience of working in a commercial environment, you’ll analyse risk and identify potential trade-offs. You may also be required to resolve contractual issues in collaboration with experts, as necessary. You’ll build strong relationships with suppliers, customers across the agencies, government contacts and our overseas counterparts. As the focal point for commercial services, you’ll prioritise the workbook to deliver Business as usual (BAU) and Spending Review 21 (SR21) requirements.
This is an exciting time to join the commercial function, as it goes through a transformation to meet future demands. You’ll be joining a friendly, inclusive and highly supportive team working across the Intelligence Agencies. You’ll be working for MI5, but you could be based at one of our MI6 or GCHQ locations - we can discuss this with you as part of the application process.
About You
You’ll have demonstrable experience of working in commercial roles, meaning you’ll bring a sound knowledge of buying, purchasing, invoicing, billing, and contract drafting and management to this position. You’ll use your customer service skills and attention to detail to help solve problems as they arise, looking for opportunities to enhance the overall experience from beginning to end. You’ll either hold or be willing to study towards, a professional commercial qualification such as CIPS (or business equivalent). Additionally, you’ll have experience of at least one of the following: sourcing, commercial policy and assurance, supply chain, low value procurement, or supplier management.
This will be supported by a record of procurement project delivery, in line with best practice, methodologies and practices. You’ll know how to achieve cash release savings and sustainable cost reductions, as well how to analyse data from suppliers and customers to support decision-making or your own recommendations.
You’ll be working with customers and colleagues at all levels, so you’ll enjoy developing great working relationships and bring a proactive and enthusiastic approach to customer service to the role. And, with your experience of acting as a role model, you’ll encourage confidence through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing. You’ll resolve any functional team issues, and support others to overcome setbacks.
Training and Development
No matter your experience or background, you’ll receive dedicated support when you join. We’ll work with you to build your own progression plan, from mentorship with an assigned partner to access to a wealth of core and technical skills training. We’ll support your career growth, including the completion of relevant qualifications as you progress. You’ll get all the help and guidance you need to grow a rewarding career at the heart of national security.
Plus, you’ll be working in a culture committed to your development. You’ll have an induction into the function when you start and regular check-ins with your manager throughout the year, as well as help to identify the skills and experience you need to excel. In short, you won’t be on your own – throughout your career, you’ll be surrounded by colleagues who want you to succeed.
Rewards and Benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £50,938 - £54,805 (London), £49,157 - £53,190 (Cheltenham) plus other benefits including:
- 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
- Personal Loan Budget
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Excellent pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
- Paid parental and adoption leave.
Equal Opportunities
At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website: https://www.MI5.gov.uk/careers/diversity
We’re Disability Confident
MI5 are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
- Eligibility questions – You will be asked a series of questions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be directed to the initial application form.
- Application form –You will be asked a series of questions relating to this vacancy and are required to meet the minimum pass mark set.
- On successful completion of these stages, you will be invited to attend a virtual Interview.
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
- The first thing we will ask you to do is complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria, we will then ask you to fill out a full application form where you will need to create a log in and provide your full name, email address and a memorable password.
- Our recruitment team will conduct a sift of your application. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview, where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate key behaviours relevant to the role.
- If you are successful at this stage, we will then start the vetting process, which includes a Security Interview. This interview is an important part of the selection process. It’s an interview to explore your life and experiences, and it’s not a competency or capability-based interview.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
Before You Apply
To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
Whichever location you select, you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. A loan is available to support individuals with relocation costs.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
Right to Withdraw Statement:
Please be aware that we hold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
