Deputy Head of Commercial – Warhead and Nuclear Skills

This is an exciting time to join the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) within the Ministry of Defence (MOD). You will be at the heart of real defence issues, delivering against one of the Department’s top three priorities, in a high-profile area which is rarely out of the news. An opportunity to work in DNO Commercial has arisen because we have expanded our commercial portfolio. The team has an incredibly interesting portfolio and a positive outlook with recent People Survey Scores placing it at the top of the Department with positive scores.

The DNO was established in April 2016 to oversee all aspects of nuclear business within the MOD and across the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise. The Enterprise comprises the people that design, produce and maintain the submarines and nuclear warheads, and provide the necessary infrastructure and support. It includes organisations such as the DNO, Submarine Delivery Agency, Royal Navy, UK Strategic Command, and Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). We also work with industry partners such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and Babcock.

Our purpose is to deliver nuclear capability to deter the threat and protect our nation.

DNO Commercial has undergone a period of transformation and growth to ensure it is positioned to support the growing commercial demands at the head of the strategic programmes across the DNE. This includes the development of capabilities and services from providing commercial solutions and policy advice on strategic investments and supplier management, through to supply chain vulnerability and market intelligence.

We are looking for a driven, resourceful and professional senior professional, interested in taking on a challenging and scalable role, prepared to work at pace in a complex environment, with strong internal and external stakeholder skills and capable of motivating and developing a team of commercial officers. Successful candidates will get to explore the opportunities for commercial development within the Defence Nuclear space.

• Become an active member of DNO Commercial’s Senior Leadership Team leading and managing a team of 5 commercial professionals.
• Deputy Head of Commercial for the Test, Trials and Evaluation Programme (TT&E) and Nuclear Skills. All high profile, cross-government teams working closely with industry partners, in support of our nuclear deterrent.
• Understand and effectively articulate the requirements, the markets and potential solutions for the warhead programme, nuclear skills task force and ensure DNO is compliant with external assistance requirements.
• Provide advice and guidance on sectors and suppliers as required and manage senior stakeholder expectations.
• Lead the development of complex commercial strategies with nuclear sector organisations.
• Develop novel commercial models and contracting approaches to ensure that public spending is providing value for money.
• Provide expert advice on commercial risk management and deliver mitigation plans / strategies to manage identified risks at corporate level.
• Manage and empower commercial team members through the commercial life cycle
• Hold a deep commercial understanding of Design and Build or Engineer, Procure & Construct contracting.
• Hold working knowledge of the SSCR and IPR.

Locations:

The successful candidate 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.

Open to UK nationals only.

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 note: Only candidates that achieve an A grade at ADC will be invited to interview for this role.

Please be advised that the Virtual ADC is taking place on the 25th of November 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.