Commercial Assurance Manager

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Job Summary
The Commercial Operations Assurance Manager will play a leading role supporting NHSBT in a major transformation programme of the Commercial Function.

You will lead enabling critical services that involve multi-faceted engagement across multiple stakeholders at all levels both within NHSBT, DHSC, Cabinet Office, and across Government, often leading discrete projects on behalf of Commercial. This includes responsibility for ensuring the Commercial Operations team provide high quality support services and assurance to inform effective decision-making and gaining support from DHSC and Cabinet Office. You will be responsible for scrutinising Commercial activities and transactions of all values and categories, and all life cycle stages to ensure that our interests are protected and best value is secured for the taxpayer.

You will establish and drive continuous improvement and innovation for a broad range of activities including running governance and assurance, developing and implementing policies and processes, managing audits, and driving change. You will also be required to design, develop, and implement an assurance policy, process, documents and framework to ensure compliance with DHSC, Cabinet Office, HMT requirements and best practice. You will proactively develop strong relationships with stakeholders and provide leadership to NHSBT regarding Commercial policy and guidance developments across the public sector.

Note: This role provides a hybrid-working option. You will be assigned a base location which could be one of NHSBT main centres/blood centres, which will be confirmed after the final interview and mutually agreed upon with the line manager during the verbal offer stage.
Main duties of the job
Responsibilities
In this role you will be responsible for Commercial governance, assurance and compliance through a robust framework of policies and processes. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing senior expert level input and specialist expert knowledge of commercial assurance and governance procedures to support wider strategic and business planning.
• Extensive planning responsibilities, including: (a) planning for implementation of new guidance and best practice; (b) when activities are to complete SOC (Strategic Outline Case), OBC (Outline Business Case) and FBC (Full Business Case) to achieve contract award to time and timely go-live; (c) planning and preparation for engagement with DHSC and Cabinet Office to authorise business cases.
• Providing leadership on Commercial Assurance and Governance.
• Planning and monitoring multiple overlapping programmes of activity.
• Building and maintaining internal and external stakeholder relationships to ensure that robust commercial assurance and governance is in place.
• Briefing The Commercial Function / senior colleagues / boards on wider impacts from external organisations, parliamentary activity or planned legislative change.
• Driving change, continuous improvement and best practice.
• Providing assurance and governance for complex commercial solutions while ensuring that risk is mitigated.

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice
About You
Experience and Knowledge

• Well-developed procurement and contract management skills at a senior level.
• Advanced planning skills in relation to complex ongoing projects across overlapping areas of responsibility and multiple contracts or programmes of commercial activity.
• Sound knowledge of contract management and in-depth knowledge of law. Working knowledge of Public Procurement regulations (PCR15 and PA23)
• Project management experience.
• Good interpersonal skills, able to provide direction, influence and persuade.
• Experience of leading response to audits as well as leading responses to freedom of information requests and Parliamentary questions.
• Experience of establishing and leading Commercial Assurance and Governance.
• Time Management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Decision making and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications And Training

• Educated to master's level in a relevant subject and/or equivalent experience of working at a senior level.
• Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)

About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you'll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.

By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

What We Offer

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years' service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: ‎
• We've fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It's open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking 'Apply' if you are viewing this advert on another site.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 26th October 2025

Interviews are anticipated to be held on 10th November 2025 – subject to confirmation.