Senior Commercial Manager
£85,000 per annum
Bedford
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Ready to make a real difference?
Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as our Senior Commercial Manager. This is your chance to play a meaningful role in helping people across the UK build stronger financial futures and to do it as part of a supportive, energetic team. Why this role matters? As Senior Commercial Manager you will play a key role in achieving strong commercial outcomes for MaPS Customer Directorate.
The role provides senior expertise across the commercial lifecycle, ensuring contracts, grants, suppliers, procurement and commissioning activity support strategic priorities, manage risk and deliver value for money. You will be supporting colleagues with commissioning best-in-class solutions that directly support the UK public, seeking innovative ways to maximize benefit to millions of people in need of Debt Advice, Money or Pensions Guidance.
You will lead, advise on or assure sourcing, procurement, contract management, supplier relationship management and governance activity across a portfolio of contracts, projects or services. Working closely with stakeholders in our Customer directorate to shape requirements, select appropriate routes to market, negotiate effective outcomes and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policy and internal governance.
Reporting directly into the Head of Commercial (Customer) this role involves the line management of a Commercial Manager, working closely with other commercial colleagues to deliver excellence in leadership, performance, development and coaching. You will be expected to operate with autonomy, use sound judgement and provide clear commercial advice, escalating risks and issues where required and delegating as appropriate. You will be an active and contributing member of the wider commercial team, sharing experience and knowledge to develop our functional delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Commercial Leadership and Advice
- Provide clear, practical commercial advice to stakeholders, project teams and senior leaders.
- Develop strategies that support organisational priorities and deliver measurable value.
- Identify, assess and manage risks, issues and opportunities, escalating material matters appropriately. Sourcing and Procurement
- Lead, advise on or assure sourcing and procurement activity in line with relevant regulations, policies and governance requirements.
- Work with stakeholders to define requirements, evaluate route-to-market options and develop proportionate procurement documentation.
- Lead tendering, evaluation, negotiation and award activity for both contracts and grants to secure compliant, value-for-money outcomes.
- Ensure records, approvals and governance submissions are accurate, timely and complete. Contract and Supplier Management
- Manage or oversee contracts and grants throughout their lifecycle, including mobilisation, delivery, performance, change, transition and exit.
- Monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations, service levels, key performance indicators and agreed outcomes.
- Lead negotiations, contract variations, dispute resolution and continuous improvement activity.
- Build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, maintaining appropriate governance and third-party assurance. People and Team Contribution
- Provide guidance, coaching or line management to commercial colleagues where required.
- Improve tools, templates, processes and ways of working so the commercial function operates consistently and effectively. Promote professional standards, collaboration and knowledge sharing across the team.
You will need to demonstrate the following experience;
Essential
- Relevant commercial, procurement or contract management experience is essential.
- MCIPS, World Commerce & Contracting accreditation or an equivalent professional qualification is desirable.
- Significant experience in commercial, procurement or contract management, ideally within a complex or regulated environment. Including a good working knowledge of PCR2015 and PA23.
• Strong understanding of the commercial lifecycle, including sourcing, procurement, contract management, supplier management and governance. • Ability to provide practical advice, manage risk and influence stakeholders at different levels.
- Experience negotiating commercial terms, managing contract change and improving value for money.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes at pace.
- Experience of general grant funding competitions, grant management and the Government Grant Functional Standards desirable but not essential
Personal attributes
- Sound judgement and strong problem-solving skills.
- Clear and confident communicator, able to tailor messages for different audiences.
- Collaborative, proactive and able to build effective working relationships.
- Analytical and detail-focused, with the ability to interpret commercial and financial information.
- Resilient and adaptable, with the confidence to challenge constructively.
- Committed to continuous improvement, professional standards and ethical commercial practice.
About Us
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.
At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other.
We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:
- Caring We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
- Connecting We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
- Transforming We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.
Our Inclusive Working Environment By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”
Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.
What We Offer
- Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
- Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains • Cycle to work Scheme
- Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
- Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing) • Enhanced family and sick pay
- Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
- Discounts portal to numerous retailers
Flexible Working
At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per month. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. Career Development In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.
Reserve List
If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.
Application Process
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Step 1: Submit Your Application Open: 28/08/2026 | Deadline: 13/09/2026
To apply, please submit the following document:
1. Your most up-to-date CV
Step 2: Telephone Interview Between 28/08/2026 – 16/09/2026
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a telephone interview with one of our recruiters. This is an opportunity to:
- Discuss your experience in more detail
- Learn more about the role and our organisation
- Ask any questions you may have
Step 3: Final Stage Interview Hosted on 25/09/2026 – 28/09/2026
Successful candidates from the telephone interview will be invited to attend a remote interview over Microsoft Teams. This stage will include:
- A series of competency-based interview questions
We follow fair, open, and merit‑based recruitment in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
Job Reference: MaPS01249
Close Date: 13/09/2026
