Commercial Specialist - Professional Services

To support the Senior Specialist for Professional Services (Category Manager) in the execution and maintenance of the Agency's change management related commercial strategy and the implementation and operation of an innovative cost effective centrally led commercial function across the Agency.

This includes procurement work for activity relating to the Agency's change roadmap, particularly those on professional services including contingent labour that fall under public procurement legislation.

The primary focus of the role is to manage the procurement activity, either by providing advice and guidance, supporting or delivering the procurement (including the procurement and management of Homes England frameworks and procurement solutions), supporting the implementation of contract management best practices and contributing to increasing commercial capability in the business.

About you…

The Commercial Specialist will be responsible for:

• Managing the compliant procurement of services required by the change programme by managing the processes and appropriate procedures and providing on the ground guidance to teams.

• Supporting Homes England colleagues and local authorities with guidance on commercial best practice and holding training sessions on public procurement and contract management

• Contributing to the provision of advice on Spend Controls, delegations and approval processes in respect of procurements

• Reviewing and noting/approving procurement requests at the right level of authority

• All procurement activity, either by providing advice and guidance, supporting or delivering the procurement, including the procurement and management of Homes England frameworks and procurement solutions

• Supporting joint procurements with other authorities

• Ensuring timely publication of contract notices on FTS and Contracts Finder (if still applicable)

• Ensuring the contract register is up to date with newly signed contracts, with contract extensions and variations and with information on the supplier's performance

• Updating the cost savings tracker with newly identified saving opportunities and with delivered cashable and non cashable savings

• Assessing criticality of contracts using the tiering model and advising contract managers on the appropriate tools and templates to use to effectively manage their contracts

• Procurement professional with experience in public procurement

• Experience of supporting complex multi-stage procurement processes, such as establishing a framework or outsourcing service delivery

• A relevant professional qualification (MCIPS or equivalent or willing/currently working towards)

• An additional relevant professional qualification (ACCA, MIIA, CCAB, RICS, existing ADC) is desirable, as is a qualification or specific training or professional experience in disciplines relevant to property, regeneration or housing

• Category experience in professional services (desirable)

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office IT products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint

As well as a competitive salary and 33 days annual leave, we are committed to 50/50 hybrid working. We'll support you, wherever possible, so that you don't miss out on what matters to you.

Membership of the Homes and Communities Agency Pension Scheme, which is a contributory defined benefit scheme with the amount you receive on retirement based on your salary and years worked at the Agency.

Internal applicants: please note that if you are successful, the salary you are offered will be in accordance with our pay policy. You can find details on the HR Hub SharePoint site.

If you ever need a bit of extra help, we have a great employee assistance programme, a wide range of healthcare plans, financial wellbeing support and access to many great discounts with leading high street names.

Our range of network groups are also there to support you to be yourself at work and play a key role in helping shape our future.

If you are a member of a professional body, we'll pay for your membership and once you get your digital kit, you'll be good to go.

Homes England are a geographically diverse community. We work to a 50/50 office/ home based model. Moving back into our office environments has enabled us to utilise our space and time together in the most collaborative way. We would encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early should we receive a high number of applications. We also encourage you to apply using the full application option as opposed to quick apply, this is especially important if you would like to indicate to us that you would like to be considered under the disability confident scheme. We're a diverse team of more than 1,000 professionals spanning 17 professions, helping Homes England to be effective, efficient and deliver for communities.