Head of Contracting policy

Position: Head of Contracting Policy

Band: 6

Salary: £72,771 - £80,776

Location: Liverpool/Norwich/Newport/Birmingham

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time/Compressed

Closing Date: 18/06/2026

Interview Date(s): w/c 20th July (subject to change) Psychometric testing will be completed between 30th June - 10th July

Insight into GCA - Webinar

Watch our Webinar on the above link and gain valuable insight into GCA and our recruitment processes.

Call to action

Are you passionate about implementing government policy? Are you motivated by solving complex problems and driving continuous improvement? Why this role exists & the value you bring: You will solve commercial complexity for the GCA by bridging legal requirements and practical strategy. Dismantle bureaucratic friction, simplify contracts, and accelerate public delivery to safeguard taxpayer money and champion national progress.

Job Summary

As the Head of Contracting Policy Implementation operating within a fast-paced, multi-site environment, you will work as part of a senior team to embed commercial and procurement policy across GCA’s operations. You will drive value for the nation by continuously improving procurement processes, overseeing the standardisation of the Public Sector Contract, and advising staff on critical, modern policy developments making our agreements simpler, faster and better.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and guide team members, manage performance to ensure a high-performing team, and support staff development through regular feedback.
• Develop and continuously improve high-quality, simplified commercial contract conditions and procurement documentation.
• Oversee the continuous improvement of the Public Sector Contract in GCA as the BAU standard set of commercial terms and conditions.
• Maintain GCA’s relationships with customers, GLD and central Cabinet Office Policy.
• Develop GCA policy approaches to drive up quality and work with the senior team to embed these in commercial strategies.
• Provide expertise and objective operational advice to drive best in class commercial outcomes.
• Manage the provision of legal services to support operational support and dispute cases.

Essential Criteria (to Be Assessed At Application Stage)

• Leadership capability
• Good knowledge of public procurement processes, procedures, tools, techniques, and the regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to build, manage, and maintain excellent relationships with colleagues, customers, and central stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills to understand complex issues and make reasoned decisions based on evidence and commercial experience.

Behaviours

Success Profiles (to be assessed at interview)

• Leadership (To be assessed via presentation at interview)
• Communicating and influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

(A link to the Civil Service Success Profiles Framework is provided below)

Success Profiles Framework

Assessment

Shortlisted candidates will complete Individual Leadership Assessments. These assessments are not pass/fail; instead, they provide insights to help the panel explore specific areas during your interview. For more information, read the gatenby sanderson assessment types.

Valuing Our People

• Competitive salary
• Generous pension scheme
• A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus
• Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location
• Flexi time scheme (available for B1-B6)
• Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays

Want to make a difference? Find out more about the rewarding work that we do in our candidate pack.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

We want to make our recruitment process accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you, please contact ***email_hidden***

Working flexibly, delivering outcomes

GCA operates a smarter working model that balances flexibility with collaboration. Successful candidates are expected to spend at least 26 days per quarter (approximately 2 days per week, pro-rata) at their contracted office, another GCA site, or off-site for meetings. For the remainder of the time, you may work from home or another suitable location that meets business needs.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use .

Selection Process

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview. Should you be placed on a reserve list and want to be removed please contact ***email_hidden***.

Please note that as part of this recruitment process, if you are unsuccessful at the interview stage but are close to the benchmark score you may be considered for and offered a role at a lower pay band within the same job family.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Complaints Procedure

Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact [email protected] in the first instance.

If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at [email protected]

Internal candidates should apply using their Workday account. Please use the careers hub for your application.