Assistant Commercial Manager - Operator

Originally named, Great British Nuclear, Great British Energy - Nuclear is an arm's length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK's energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy - Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future.

GBE-N are looking for an experienced an Assistant Commercial Manager to support the development of the commercial strategy and procurement for the Operational Capability element of its SMR Programme, which is fundamental to the long term delivery of the SMR Project. The "Operator" is required to enable the safe and effective running of the Nuclear Power Station once built.

The Assistant Commercial Manager (ACM) role will be accountable to the Commercial Lead and Commercial Manager for the delivery of first-class commercial activity and advice across GBE-N major project procurements, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and GBE-N Commercial policies, negotiating and managing contracts to achieve value for money. The ACM will be accountable to the CM and CL for managing key aspects of procurement activity (e.g. ITT development / Pricing strategy / negotiation strategy/ drafting contracts) to support the delivery of major procurements. It is therefore expected that the Assistant Commercial Manager has experience in managing procurements in excess of £5m across the whole procurement lifecycle and/or experience in working as part of a team to manage the delivery of discreet aspects as part of a team delivering a complex major procurement. The value of the procurement activity which the ACM will be required to support will likely exceed £50m or otherwise be novel, contentious or repercussive in nature.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

Commercial and Procurement Strategy

• The Assistant Commercial Manager will support the Commercial Manager and Commercial Lead in the development of commercial ("what are we buying") and procurement ("how are we buying") strategies. This will include developing the commercial mechanisms ( eg payment mechanisms) proportionate for the delivery of major complex critical infrastructure programmes to be included in the contract that will align with the GBE-N's commercial drivers and importantly the critical success factors for the programme. The Assistant Commercial Manager will support the identification of the approach GBE-N will take to procure the outsourced components required to deliver the procurement, including but not limited to assessing the routes to market, developing lotting strategies, overseeing market engagement activity and developing the evaluation strategy. The Assistant Commercial Manager will then manage the delivery of certain aspects of the procurement as part of a wider team of commercial specialists, and report progress to the Commercial Lead and Commercial Manager. The Assistant Commercial Manager will show awareness and appreciation of in life contract management during the strategy phase development.

Commercial Policy

• The Assistant Commercial Manager will apply their knowledge and understanding to support development of commercial policy, procedures and templates, including maintaining the commercial policy 'library'.

Commercial Assurance and Governance

• The Assistant Commercial Manager will support assurance activities to ensure activity across the commercial lifecycle is controlled and aligned with relevant policies, commercial strategies and relevant security requirements. This may include operational and risk management reviews as well as supporting any internal and/or external audits.

Market Analysis and Commercial Intelligence

• The Assistant Commercial Manager will support analysis required on key supplier markets to understand the key characteristics of the nuclear and related marketplaces to ensure adequate competition exists to continue to drive value for money. This may also include an assessment of the business needs together with supply market analysis to assist in advising an appropriate market engagement approach.

Procurement Process and Tender management

• The Assistant Commercial Manager will work as part of a wider team and be accountable for the delivery of key aspects of procurement activities at all stages of the procurement process from tender initiation to contract award and supplier mobilisation. This may include preparation of the ITT, contract and schedules, development of negotiation plans, overseeing evaluation moderation as well as contract sign off and feedback to unsuccessful tenderers. All stages will be managed through the appropriate GBE-N governance processes with progress reported regularly to the Commercial Manager and Commercial Lead.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

Behavioural Competencies

• Planning and delivering results under tight timelines
• Supporting a culture that builds trust, integrity and values diversity and expertise
• Working and adapting with stakeholders at all levels
• Communicating with impact and challenging respectfully
• Be thoughtful, inclusive and respectful to others
• Be curious and work constructively with team members and stakeholders to get activity completed.

Professional Competencies

• Knowledge and experience of working with complex procurements, of a value in excess of £5 million is required
• Experience of supporting the delivery of commercial, procurement and contract management activity
• Good personal organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure within an agile environment
• Proven skills and experience in supporting business case development and working with multiple stakeholders

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification, preferably in a relevant subject or equivalent level of knowledge and experience. (Desirable)
• Relevant experience in a nuclear, construction, civils, engineering and/or critical infrastructure programme (Desirable)

Please complete our short application form to apply for this role. If shortlisted, one of our Talent Attraction Leads will be in touch to discuss the position in more detail. Good luck with your application!

At GBE-N, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. If you require any support or adjustments to help you with your application, please contact us at Recruitment@greatbritishnuclear.uk, and we will be happy to provide assistance.