Commercial Deputy Director

Thank you for taking the time to find out about this exciting role of Commercial Deputy Director at UK Export Finance (UKEF).

UKEF is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department strategically and operationally aligned with the Department for Business Trade. Founded in 1919 as the world’s first export credit agency, we have been innovating since day one and now have over 100 years’ track record supporting UK exports. We support UK exports – from companies large and small – helping to create economic growth and support jobs across the UK.

The UKEF Commercial Function was launched on 31st July 2023, with a clear mandate to develop and execute a strong commercial strategy to support UKEF achieve ambitions set out in the Business Plan. There have been significant early successes, and the commercial function already performs to a high standard.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a commercial professional to build on this early success and lead our function and deliver commercial excellence for UKEF and Government Commercial Function.

This role will report into the Director for Corporate Services and be a member of the senior leadership team for that directorate.

Operating as a commercial entity at the heart of government, UKEF plays a critical role in supporting UK exports. This is a unique opportunity for a commercial leader to manage a high-performing team of 13 commercial experts while remaining "hands-on" in a fast-paced, small-department environment.

The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight across the entire commercial lifecycle, ensuring that our procurement activities not only meet rigorous government standards but also deliver exceptional value for money and commercial impact.

As the lead for the commercial function, your remit will cover:

• Strategic Sourcing: You will lead the development of robust sourcing strategies and oversee the procurement of complex contracts. You will ensure that UKEF’s requirements are met through innovative market engagement and efficient procurement routes.
• Policy, Performance, and Governance: You will champion UKEF commercial policy. This includes maintaining adherence to Government regulations and best practices, while managing the internal governance processes that keep our operations transparent and compliant.
• Contract Management: Beyond the initial award, you will drive effective contract management to maximise supplier performance. You will be responsible for ensuring that all commercial outcomes are delivered throughout the life of the contract.

This is a hands-on role; requirements and contracts span a number of categories including Corporate Services, Professional Services, Technology. You will develop effective relationships with stakeholders from across the business.

Locations:

The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.

Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.

This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.

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)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

Your application will be reviewed by a panel and should you be successful at sift we will invite you to attend a Virtual commercial Assessment and Development Centre (VADC). The panel will review results of the VADC and determine which candidates will go through to a subsequent final panel interview.

Please be advised that the Virtual ADC is taking place on the 15th of October 2026 and will require a full day's attendance.

If you are invited to attend a virtual ADC, but for any reason are unable to meet the date outlined then please get in touch with the team on commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible. The ADC is booked and paid for in advance by departments, therefore it is only in certain circumstances we are able to accommodate alternative dates.

For full details of our process, and a likely timeline, please read the attached candidate pack.

Throughout our selection process, we will make decisions about your capability to do the job, based on evidence you provide against the Technical Skills (essential criteria) and your Job History (CV) that you will be asked to provide during the application process. Further help and advice on our application and selection process can be found at this web address https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/gcf-how-to-apply/

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/

IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an acknowledgement of your application within 2 working days please contact: commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.