Senior Commercial Lead – Operations 16 views

HQ Culham, Oxfordshire (hybrid working)
Salary up to £62,509 plus a £2,000 South East Allowance per annum and excellent benefits
Full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is the UK’s armed police force dedicated to protecting nuclear material and facilities. We are seeking an experienced commercial professional to lead complex, high-risk procurements and deliver robust commercial strategies across the Operations category.

The Role

You will take ownership of complex commercial programmes exceeding £5m, designing and delivering compliant acquisition strategies — including Covered Procurements and the Competitive Flexible Procedure.

This is a senior role requiring significant autonomy and professional judgement. Decisions directly impact legal compliance, financial exposure, and organisational reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Define – Pre-Procurement

• Develop procurement strategies aligned to organisational objectives
• Conduct market analysis and early market engagement
• Develop and assess commercial options
• Lead Commercial & Economic Cases (SOBC, OBC, FBC)
• Secure external approvals (DESNZ, Cabinet Office, HMT)

Acquire – Complex Procurements

• Design bespoke commercial processes
• Lead supplier negotiations and selection
• Allocate and manage risk appropriately
• Draft and finalise robust commercial contracts
• Transition contracts into effective BAU management

Manage – Markets & Stakeholders

• Develop and deliver market strategies
• Lead supplier relationship management
• Engage senior stakeholders (HMG, DESNZ, CNPA, Executive team)

Lead & Develop

• Manage and mentor a small team of qualified commercial specialists
• Develop capability through training and professional development initiatives

Skills & Experience

• MCIPS to level 6 (professional qualification)
• Significant public sector procurement leadership experience
• Proven delivery of complex, high-risk procurements
• Experience across goods, services and works (e.g. Professional Services, IT, FM, Travel/Fleet)
• Strong knowledge of contract and procurement law (PCR 2015, PA 2023)
• Advanced contract lifecycle management and negotiation skills
• Stakeholder engagement at senior level
• Experience managing and developing professional staff
• Strong analytical and financial acumen
• Excellent communication skills
• High attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple complex procurements
• Sound judgement and risk management capability
• Experience in managing and resolving contract disputes effectively and efficiently.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working (40% office / 60% remote – subject to agreement)
• Based at HQ Culham until relocation to Harwell (Autumn 2026)

Benefits

• 27.5 days annual leave (rising to 32.5 days) plus Bank Holidays
• Additional 3 days leave accrued for Christmas period
• Generous pension (20.7% employer contribution)
• Flexi-time scheme
• Performance bonus (up to 7%)
• On-site facilities (Costa Coffee, restaurant, deli)
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Enhanced family-friendly and wellbeing policies
• Cycle to Work scheme

As police staff the public expect us to display the highest standards, values and professional qualities at all times. The CNC values and Code of Ethics applies to all police staff and sets out the principles and standards of behaviour we expect to see, and you are responsible for displaying and delivering to these standards. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At CNC we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our affinity networks, ED&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our ED&I commitments, ensuring the CNC is an employer of choice, where everyone feels included.

Please review the video links below which will give you an overview of the vetting process that you will be required to go through if you are successful in your application to join the CNC:

• Vetting: An Overview – https://youtu.be/lRit8RA7Zpo
• Vetting and Finances – https://youtu.be/JmZP7r-9MEE
• Vetting and Life Experiences – https://youtu.be/jVPHvgpB8nc
• Vetting and Internet Use – https://youtu.be/hvXPicGQmYg