Commercial Manager
| Job Type | Contract |
| Location | Corsham |
| Area | South West, UK |
| Sector | Procurement & Commercial |
| Salary | £650 Per Day |
| Start Date | July 10th, 2026 |
| Advertiser | Ashley Price |
| Job Ref | 7575-PSR1JP00103987 |
| IR35 | Inside |
| Security Clearance | DV |
- Description
- The Client:
A government client is looking for a Commercial Manager to join them on a 12 month contract. This position will be based in Corsham.
Job Summary:
Assignment Background
Will involve composing the draft contract and other supporting documentation for a competition and then running a competition.
Defence Digital is made up of five categories, IT Hardware & Services, Military Technology, Software and Hosting, Networks and Professional Services, each individual category team varies in size but in total we are a 200-person strong team.
Within these five categories sits Networks and it is here where the opportunity sits for Commercial Leads to come into the team into two distinct areas:
- Fixed Networks – which is the heart of the team with the core network and is where the delivery of Next Generation Communication Network is driven from which is itself at the heart of defence’s digital backbone. This team focuses on the procurement of Network Services – ranging from WAN through to LAN/Wifi encryption and gateways.
- Strategic Services – this team enables the delivery of beyond line of site strategic communication systems across the radio spectrum often at higher security classifications. It will be a requirement to secure DV for most new roles in this team.
A bit about the Networks Category
The team is responsible for managing c£7.6bn total contract value (c£580m spend pa). In Strategic Services, you will be involved in the cutting edge of delivering resilient network capability.
The function is responsible for procuring and managing a diverse portfolio of goods and services essential to military and digital operations. This ranges from complex, long-term capability programmes through to lower-value, short-term support contracts. Ideally candidates will come with experience in a commercial digital environment, but it is not essential.
For commercially trained professionals this presents a unique opportunity to apply and develop expertise across the full procurement lifecycle from early market engagement and sourcing strategies through to contract award, management, and supplier performance. The role requires sound commercial judgement, the ability to navigate complexity, and strong stakeholder engagement skills, working closely with both military and civilian colleagues to deliver value for money and operationally effective outcomes.
Commercial decisions made within the team directly influence operational readiness, capability delivery, and wider Defence priorities, including innovation and collaboration with industry.
Based primarily in Corsham, with opportunities for hybrid working, this role offers both professional challenge and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national security and Defence delivery. You may also be expected to attend other locations, and travel expenses will be reimbursed for these journeys, but when attending your primary duty station, no travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Most of the work will need to be conducted on site due to the classification of the documentation.
Core Day to Day Duties
An SEO Procurement Officer will be responsible for supporting the Procurement of requirements as allocated to them, ensuring the requirements are actively managed from definition to contract award. This includes defining the requirement and route to market, ensuring all approvals are in place, advertising, evaluating, and preparing to award the contract, briefing/making recommendations to the commercial officer with delegated authority. This process is in collaboration with the End customer and building and maintaining good working relationships with the customer team, the supplier, and other key stakeholders and ensuring the contract is managed once live or effectively handed over to the contract management team.
You will build and maintain your effectiveness by ensuring that you keep up to date with procurement, broader commercial and HR policy and Regulations (PA 2023, PCR/DSPCR) developments that affect you or the team.
You will ensure you keep up to date with the tools and systems used to support procurements and payments including the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and the Contract, Purchasing and Finance (CP&F) tool.
These roles offer an exciting and challenging opportunity to develop or enhance a professional career in the commercial function within the context of the Defence Digital.
We are seeking self-motivated individuals to join this fast paced and constantly evolving professional environment and form the core of the Defence Digital Commercial professionals.
This is a fascinating, challenging role in the Commercial Function, with a direct impact on procuring and purchasing the key items to enable the British military to conduct its various operational functions.
The key areas of responsibility include:
Procure and Manage
- Lead and coordinate the procurement process for complex projects, ensuring effective planning, execution, and delivery within agreed scope, timeframes, and budget constraints.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with multidisciplinary teams, including colleagues at all levels, senior leadership, and external partners, to support seamless procurement delivery.
- Manage and develop key customer and stakeholder relationships, proactively identifying opportunities to improve or strategically develop these relationships to meet project objectives.
- Provide Commercial expertise to support the Project Team in achieving necessary Approvals
- Operate effectively in a demanding, high-pressure environment, delivering procurement activities at pace while balancing and managing diverse and sometimes competing stakeholder expectations.
- Apply extensive knowledge of commercial regulations and procurement frameworks to address and resolve complex commercial challenges, ensuring risk is appropriately managed and optimal outcomes are achieved.
- Support the transfer of commercial and technical knowledge by mentoring and developing both commercial and non-commercial team members, enhancing overall team capability and project delivery.
- Prepare, draft, and manage contract documentation within delegated authority, including tender documentation, evaluation, and award processes, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
- Chair or support Tender Evaluation Boards and lead negotiations with suppliers within delegated limits to secure value for money and contract terms aligned with project requirements.
- Utilise procurement systems to manage procurement activities efficiently and ensure compliance with Government Transparency policies.
- Provide timely, practical commercial advice and solutions to emerging issues and risks, contributing to problem solving and crisis management alongside senior commercial managers and Defence Digital customers.
Management
- Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that supports wellbeing, engagement, and high morale among Commercial staff.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and one-to-one meetings to provide constructive feedback, set clear objectives, and identify individual development needs.
- Identify and facilitate appropriate training and professional development opportunities to build team capability and support career progression.
- Manage resource allocation within the team to ensure workload is balanced and priorities are met effectively.
- Lead by example in upholding ethical standards and compliance with policies, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.
- Encourage innovation and continuous improvement by supporting staff to identify and implement process enhancements and best practices.
- Act as a point of escalation for commercial issues within the team, providing guidance and support to resolve challenges promptly.
- Support succession planning by identifying and nurturing potential future leaders within the Commercial team.
Key Essential Skills
Essential:
- DV cleared for duration
- Sole UK National
- Must be able to be STRAP inducted and have no foreign connections for them or their families.
- Commercial Management
- Proven experience leading and managing the procurement of complex projects, including planning, execution, and delivery within defined scope, time, and budget constraints.
- Strong ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, senior leadership, customers, and external partners to support procurement and project objectives.
- Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, managing competing stakeholder expectations and delivering procurement activities at pace.
- Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Level 4.
Desirable:
- Evidence of providing commercial expertise, including supporting project teams to achieve necessary approvals and providing sound commercial advice throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Experience of leading and managing a Team
An active DV clearance is required for this role. At a minimum, candidates must be eligible and willing to undergo security clearance. Due to the short-term nature of the contract and the urgency of the requirement, the client may prioritise applicants who already hold active DV clearance and meet all essential criteria.
Our Company:
Malikshaw Interim & Executive is a specialist provider of talent management solutions helping our clients transform the delivery of our public services. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we combine providing the best talent with delivering diverse, inclusive workforces and particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.
How to Apply:
Please apply through the link provided to send your application directly to the Recruiter managing this assignment.
Disability Confident:
As a member of the disability confident scheme, the Client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Armed Forces Covenant:
As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Client guarantees to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
If you qualify for any of the above, please notify us on your covering letter and your recruiter will confirm if the client is a member. We will then be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.
Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let me know.
- Fixed Networks – which is the heart of the team with the core network and is where the delivery of Next Generation Communication Network is driven from which is itself at the heart of defence’s digital backbone. This team focuses on the procurement of Network Services – ranging from WAN through to LAN/Wifi encryption and gateways.
