Associate Director of Commercial

DBS was established under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on 1 December 2012, working from two sites, which are Liverpool and Darlington. We operate on behalf of government delivering Disclosure functions in England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, and Barring functions for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We function within a framework of legal and regulatory requirements and that includes work with a range of external organisations including other government departments, regulators, and trade bodies.

We provide a service that enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make better informed, safer recruitment and other decisions. We do this by providing information to enable them to determine whether individuals are unsuitable or unable to undertake certain work, particularly with occupations involving regular contact with vulnerable groups, including children. Our Strategy:

Our current Strategy sets out our purpose, vision, and the impacts we want to achieve. Our strategy was co-created with our staff and has been supported by insight from our various partners, and throughout, you will find our ambitions to be achieved. Everything that we do within DBS, from developing our strategic intent, to the day-to-day operational delivery of our services, is underpinned by constant considerations of safeguarding, quality, sustainability, value for money, and diversity and inclusion.

Our strategic objectives aim to enhance our effectiveness, influence, and customer satisfaction while fostering a supportive environment for everyone.

Job Description The post of Associate Director - Commercial (Technology and Innovation) is primarily responsible leading the T&I Contracts side of the Commercial team and for partnering with stakeholders across the organisation to understand the business needs. As a key member of the Finance and Commercial Leadership team, the post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure customer and stakeholder needs are met, and that all commercial activity is delivered compliantly with public accountability expectations, the procurement regulations (including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and regulations that pertain to the Procurement Act 2023 as appropriate), government policy and professional standards.

As the DBS is a member of the Home O?ce family, you will work closely with other members of the Home Office Finance community. Building relationships with people in Home O?ce will be key to ensuring DBS and Home O?ce expectations, systems and processes are aligned.

You will play a pivotal role in the development of the DBS Commercial Roadmap and associated Category plans, to support delivery of the DBS 2028 Strategy and will lead and support a team of 7 in implementing a T&I Commercial Business Partnering Model to ensure effective resource capacity and capability is in place to support the delivery of these strategies.

Corporate Duties:
Build and maintain influential relationships with senior stakeholders across DBS, the Home Office, Cabinet Office and wider government commercial community. Develop and deliver the DBS Commercial Roadmap, category strategies and multi-year procurement plans aligned to organisational objectives. Provide leadership, coaching and direction to a team of commercial professionals, developing capability and commercial expertise. Drive market intelligence, category knowledge and innovative commercial approaches to deliver improved business outcomes.

Lead complex procurements across multiple categories, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, governance and assurance requirements. Develop procurement strategies, negotiate contract terms and lead market engagement activities to deliver category objectives. Identify, manage and mitigate commercial, supplier and contractual risks, escalating issues appropriately to senior stakeholders. Oversee the full commercial lifecycle, including planning, tendering, evaluation, governance, award and contract mobilisation. Ensure robust commercial pipelines, savings delivery, supplier relationship management and resolution of escalated contractual issues.

Champion compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, government commercial standards and pan-government commercial objectives and best practice. The Successful Applicant The successful applicant will need to be able to demonstrate the below ability and experience:
Ability to design strategic MI required from a variety of…