Commercial Change Portfolio & Transformation Lead
Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UABlackpool* - Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES, Sheffield** – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD Manchester – 2 St • Permanent • Competitive

Commercial Change Portfolio & Transformation Lead

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Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UABlackpool* - Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES, Sheffield** – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD Manchester – 2 St On-site Permanent 11 Applications
Competitive
Full-time
Posted 04 Nov 2026
Expires 04 Dec 2026

Job description

  • Job grade: Grade 6
  • Contract type: Permanent
  • Business area: DWP - Finance - Commercial Directorate (CD)
  • Type of role: Commercial
  • Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
  • Number of jobs available: 1

Location

Leeds – Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA
Blackpool* - Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES,
Sheffield** – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD
Manchester – 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA
Birmingham - 3 Arena Central, Birmingham, B1 2DE
Glasgow - 1 Atlantic Quay, 1 Robertson St, Glasgow, G2 8JB
Newcastle*** - Benton Park View, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1YX

*For candidates requesting to work in Blackpool Peel Park, please note these roles will initially be based at Blackpool Peel Park and will then move to Blackpool Fylde View by April 2027

**For candidates requesting to work in Sheffield Hartshead Square, please note these roles will initially be based at Hartshead Square and then move to 1 West Bar by early 2028

***For candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, Benton Park View, these roles will be based at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.

About the job

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the UK's biggest government departments, building services that make a real difference to the lives of millions of people. Commercial Directorate (CD) is one of the leading government procurement functions, is commercially unique and presents an attractive challenge for anyone wanting to advance their procurement career.

As a key part of DWP, CD shapes how services are delivered across hundreds of third-party contractual arrangements, with some of the largest industry suppliers. In 2026/26 CD managed a total spend of over £3.2bn and secured savings for the taxpayer of over £500m.

DWP’s Commercial function is based across several Finance Group Hub locations and is divided into several categories aligned to areas of spend with a central enabling team leading on areas such as data, policy and systems. The team works with key stakeholders to design and deliver services to support some of DWP’s biggest key policies and organisational priorities.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a central enabling team and support the delivery of the DWP Commercial Strategy. Our strategy is fundamental to the achievement of departmental objectives priorities and delivery of government missions. The Commercial Change Portfolio & Transformation Lead is a pivotal role in our structure. The role holder will provide portfolio leadership, governance and strategic delivery of all transformation, policy implementation and continuous improvement activity across the Commercial Directorate, ensuring initiatives are prioritised, sequenced, resourced and communicated effectively to deliver agreed outcomes.

Leading a small team responsible for planning, coordinating, and governing the delivery multiple strands of our commercial strategy and policy implementation deliver. The post holder will also be responsible for developing and leading delivery of our transformation communications plan and supporting matrix management of the Chief Commercial Officers Private Office. They will own the delivery of the commercial strands of the departments transformation and efficiency plans, maximising the transformational opportunities presented through implementation and embedding of new strategies and policies into commercial delivery.

The post holder will work with commercial teams and wider stakeholders to transform our processes and ways of working, creating opportunity to reduce administrative burdens and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. The post holder will report to the Head of Commercial Operations and Strategy and will be supported by a small, dedicated team with access to relevant subject matter experts across the enabling functions. The post holder will also work closely with key stakeholders, including category and finance teams and Cabinet Office, and will act as the central commercial lead for the overall departmental transformation programme.

Person specification

Responsibilities will include:

  • Creating a single view of all change activity across CD, identifying, and managing dependencies between current and planned strands of activity, including those within the wider central enabling function and commercial categories, ensuring no duplication or unmitigated risks and sequencing activity to drive intended outcomes with limited resource.
  • Act as the central authority for commercial transformation governance. Acting as a gatekeeper for new work entering the directorate, ensuring there is clear prioritisation against strategic outcomes and existing plans through demand management and assessment of impacts, recommending stop / start decisions and maintaining a forward pipeline of future changes.
  • Working with the directorates risk lead to identify, monitor and manage any risks associated with commercial projects and transformation activity, escalating issues early to ensure timely resolution.
  • Leading a small team responsible for development and delivery of the strategic communications plan, delivering high quality communications material through multiple channels to a variety of internal and external audiences to ensure people know what is changing and why.
  • Overseeing / assuring commercial milestones within wider departmental transformation plans, maintaining commercial input, managing dependencies driving delivery and escalating where appropriate. This will include leading the Strategic Transformation Board within CD.
  • Setting and maintaining an benefits management framework to capture outcomes and benefits created through implementation of projects and continuous improvement initiatives, linking into wider departmental efficiency and commercial savings targets as required to demonstrate the value of the commercial function and change portfolio.
  • Maintaining the Commercial Strategy to ensure continued alignment to departmental and wider government objectives.
  • Leading the team responsible for managing the Chief Commercial Officers Private Office, including preparing papers / submissions for Commercial Executive Team, Permanent Secretary and Ministers to update on commercial transformation as required.
  • Working closely with Cabinet Office and other central departments to influence the timing and implementation of new policy and strategies, where there are cross dependencies or misalignment between intended outcomes.
  • Line management responsibilities - ensuring that there is a sophisticated and highly responsive team.
  • Attending Commercial Director led Wing SLT meetings and All Colleague Calls to provide updates and to engage wider teams in upcoming change, including use of category and central enabling resource to support delivery where appropriate.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £76,339, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £22,115 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

  • Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
  • Generous annual leave – at least 30 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
  • Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
  • Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
  • Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
  • Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
  • An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

The application process will involve uploading a CV and personal statement. To be successful, you must demonstrate your experience matching ALL of the Essential Skills listed below. Further information under ‘Application process’:

  1. Experience of leading the delivery of complex multi-faceted transformation, ideally in a commercial environment.
  2. Demonstrable experience of demand managing, planning, prioritising and governing delivery of competing strands of activity with multiple dependencies.
  3. A strategic thinker who can see the bigger picture for reform and transformation and communicate this widely and effectively.
  4. Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to establish credibility quickly.
  5. An excellent communicator able to influence senior stakeholders and with the skill to present complex messages simply and effectively.

Ability to use initiative and judgement to tailor your approach to suit different implementation requirements and stakeholder needs and to find new ways of overcoming problems.

Please apply on the Civil Service Jobs website. You will be required to:

• Provide personal information.
• Enter your CV in the space provided, setting out your employment history.
• Complete a personal statement (maximum of 1250 words) which should demonstrate how you meet ALL of the essential skills as set out in the job description.

Stage 1 Assessment - Sift:

At sift, we will assess your application by using your CV and personal statement only. To be successful, you must demonstrate your experience matching ALL of the Essential Skills listed in the job advert above.

Please note that you are not required to produce behaviour-based examples in the content of your CV or personal statement.

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.

Stage 2 Assessment - Interview:

If you are successful at the sift stage, you will be invited to a face to face interview at DWP 2 St Peter's Sq, Manchester M2 3AE, we will assess your relevant experience against the essential skills mentioned above and the Behaviours listed below.

As part of the interview process, you will also be required to deliver a presentation. Further details of the presentation will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

Interview Assessment Elements (Success Profiles):

We will assess the following Behaviours at interview;

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Seeing The Bigger Picture
  • Leadership

Indicative Timeline:

Please note that the following dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these time frames, please let us know in your application.

• Sifting Panel: W/C 23 November 2026
• Final Panel Interviews: W/C 14 December 2026

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that these vacancies we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role. We can never guarantee sponsorship, requests will be considered in line with the relevant DWP guidance and Home Office policy in place at the time If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health). If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Further Information​

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

  • If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
  • If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own

- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

Feedback



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name : Shaun Evans
  • Email : SHAUN.EVANS@DWP.GOV.UK

Recruitment team

  • Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

488200 candidate pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1285kB)
DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB)
Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)

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