Jobs at UNESCO in United Kingdom

We are looking for a Senior Commercial Manager to join our Parliamentary Commercial Directorate (PCD). This is an exciting time to join as over the coming 2 years, we plan to undertake significant changes aimed at increasing our impact across the organisation. This comes on top of continuing to ensure the value for money from our nearly £1bn in annual spend and supporting transformational projects across the organisation and our estate, including at the Palace of Westminster which is a UNESCO world heritage site. You’ll have responsibility within the Works category, supporting on delivering high value and complex Works which will range from procuring new building maintenance contracts to refurbishments or hard facilities management projects.

You will also be a trusted partner and advisor to business areas and projects that you are supporting – whilst also being trusted to deliver plans agreed with the Works Commercial Director with autonomy and drawing upon your extensive knowledge and experience. This is an opportunity to work on a hybrid basis, with an expectation to be on-site at Parliament for a minimum of 2 days per week. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong experience and knowledge of NEC suite of contract terms and who is keen to apply their skills across various projects and work with a wide range of stakeholders in a unique, fast-paced environment.

You’ll be accountable for:

1. Delivering high value and complex Works (reprocuring complex building maintenance contracts, procuring new building maintenance contracts, construction, hard facilities management, building refurbishment and building security) procurements.
2. Delivering compliant end-to-end procurements, delivering demonstrable value for money and compliant goods and services contracts.
3. Proactively identifying and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders within relevant directorates, fostering strong business partnerships.
4. Assisting Heads of Commercial upwards in forecasting, planning, and allocating resources for procurement projects.
5. Leading and overseeing procurement activities within the Works category, ensuring they meet the requirements of stakeholders and comply with procurement policies and internal governance standards.
6. Ensuring smooth transitions from procurement to contract management by actively supporting supplier relationships.

What we’re looking for:

1. Good understanding of the NEC suite of contracts and its options.
2. Ability to provide solid advice in relation to Works contracts including construction and related project, cost, design and other services.
3. A knowledge of compliance requirements associated with public sector procurement regulations and ability to manage major Works procurements throughout the procurement cycle.
4. Ability to promote procurement policy, awareness and contract management practice to both professional and lay audiences.
5. Pro-active approach to managing workload and problem-solving with ability to identify areas for continuous improvement both within the team and wider workstreams.
6. Proven experience of working with and in influencing Senior Internal and External stakeholders.
7. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply at Level 5 (MCIPS) is desirable. Candidates who are substantially on the way to achieving the same may be considered or equivalent Chartership or experience.
8. Transforming Public Procurement Certification or working towards.

It would be even better if you have or are willing to learn:

1. Experience of delivering commercial strategies and procurements in more than one category.
2. Proven experience in a pre-contract construction environment.

The job description provides full details about the role and what we are looking for.

What you’ll get in return:

1. 30 days annual leave (increasing to 35 after one years’ service).
2. Generous pension scheme.
3. Discounts from well-known brands and retailers.
4. Parliamentary health and wellbeing programme.
5. The opportunity to witness history in the making!

The work we do is vital to House of Lords, and you will be a pivotal member in the team strengthening the work of the House.

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK parliament. It is independent from and complements the work of the House of Commons to:

1. Make laws.
2. Check and challenge the actions of the government through questions and debates.
3. Investigate public policy and provide a forum of independent expertise.

Please complete your online application by 23.55pm on 20 February 2025. The House of Lords Administration is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of their age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender/sex, gender reassignment/trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.

The Administration will also consider flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. For this role we particularly welcome applications from groups which are currently underrepresented within the team, including applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates and candidates with disabilities.