National Armaments Digital & Data - Senior Commercial Manager - Software and Cloud Services Category SEO

Due to the nature of the role, this position is open to UK Nationals only

We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.

National Armaments Digital & Data (NA-D&D) teams operate across Defence to integrate digital and data activity, set standards, deliver common services and platforms, and develop the people and skills required for a digitally integrated, warfighting-capable force.

In support of this, NA-D&D Commercial is the core team responsible for delivering outstanding outcomes and value for Defence across its exploitation of digital and information technologies, through our oversight and management of all third- party IT spend for Defence.

We are responsible for a large portfolio of complex contracts worth £4.7bn a year, through more than 300 suppliers. We have implemented Enterprise Category Management and operate across five categories – Networks, Hardware and Services, Space, Software and Professional Services – engaging with suppliers of all sizes and specialisms across the Defence landscape.

We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week, full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need.

This job is for a Senior Commercial Manager to join the Software and Cloud Services Category.

The Software and Cloud Services Category manages a portfolio worth over £4 billion, delivering the technology that powers Defence's digital transformation. From software and cloud platforms to emerging AI and cyber capabilities, you will help shape the commercial strategies and supplier relationships that enable Defence to operate, innovate and transform.

As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will shape and influence the team’s category strategy while owning your own portfolio of procurements and contracts across the full commercial lifecycle.

Reporting to the Commercial Lead, you will join a collaborative and ambitious team with opportunities to influence strategy and deliver hugely impactful commercial outcomes while developing others and building your own career within one of government's most dynamic commercial environments.

Typical activities include (but are not limited to):

Pre-market Engagement

• Providing expertise to NA-D&D project delivery teams to influence and inform the procurement of new goods and services from third parties, in accordance with digital Category Strategies.
• Proactive market insight which includes a coordinated monitoring of potential and existing suppliers in a strategic and dynamic way

Sourcing

• Define and deliver Procurement processes in line with public sector Procurement regulations and MOD Commercial Policy, using assured procurement tools and systems
• Selecting appropriate suppliers using relevant evaluation criteria and responsible for ensuring value for money for the duration of supplier engagement
• Negotiating Contract Terms and Conditions addressing risk and liabilities and appropriate pricing mechanisms, which deliver immediate and ongoing financial and non-financial benefits.
• Hold formal delegated powers of up to £10M.

Contract Management

• Identification, definition and tracking of financial and non-financial benefits and savings
• Ongoing proactive management of key stakeholder and supplier relationships
• Effective management of full life cycle of the contracts including performance management, managing changes and ensuring ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered
• Commercial risk identification, mitigation and management

As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within NA-D&D Commercial teams.

Open to UK nationals only.

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

Applications will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and suitability statement. Please complete the CV section setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements.

You must also complete a suitability statement (of no more than 1250 words). This is your opportunity to provide us with additional information that highlights relevant achievements and experience, and the required skills and Behaviours listed in this advertisement that make you suitable for the role.

At interview stage:

You will have the opportunity to provide further detail supporting your application, specifically relating to the Skills (People Standards for the Profession - Associate Commercial Lead) and Behaviours (CS Behaviours - Level 3).

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

During the interview stage, candidates will be assessed against the following Behaviours and technical skills:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Understanding Needs & Sourcing OptionsUses pre-market engagement to inform the requirement and determine the most effective route to market.
• Influences customer requirements to ensure they are fit for purpose.
• Understands end to end procurement life cycle and tools required to deliver effective outcomes.
• Understands the contract management requirements and considers these in the sourcing process to ensure fit for purpose contracts are implemented.
• Competent in leading negotiation of pricing and contract terms for high value and complex deals.
• Able to work with procurement policies and processes to ensure compliant and time efficient procurement decisions.
• Understands and applies Category Management principles, building into procurement decisions at the outset.
• Builds and maintains relationships with Stakeholders throughout the process
• Contract & Supplier Management Understands and is able to apply and advise others on contract management processes.
• Demonstrates a deep understanding of terms and conditions of the contract, including its deliverables and works with the supplier to establish a plan for delivering them.
• Effectively manages contract and supplier risks implementing mitigation and resolution plans.
• Effectively manages contract change throughout the life of the contract.
• Ensures ongoing value for money throughout the life of the contract.
• Develops opportunities to incentivise contract delivery and continuous performance improvement.
• Effective contract management including re-tendering, exit and transition.
• Understands the principles of supplier and performance management to optimise outcomes.
• Evaluates and monitors the performance of suppliers against the contract terms using management information eg KPIs, taking remedial action as necessary.
• Manages and maintains good supplier relationships.
• Manage and maintain effective stakeholder relationships.
• Effectively manage dispute resolution.

Interviews will be held from week commencing October 12th 2026 (subject to change)

Further information

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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