Head of Commercial

Location - The team operates on a hybrid basis with travelling to the Birmingham, West Midlands office once a week, dependent on business need

We are looking for a Head of Commercial to join the 4th National lottery regulation team in Birmingham. The Head of Commercial is a key role and will be part of a senior leadership team responsible for regulating the operator of the National Lottery.

This is a new role within the Commission, and is set against the backdrop of

- A new Licence (the Fourth Licence) being launched in February 2024 which is outcome focused
- The Licence includes a new incentive mechanism to drive improved returns to good causes
- There is a new operator, Allwyn Entertainment Limited, running the National Lottery for the first time in 30 years
- Allwyn is part of a global lottery group and is simultaneously delivering a large-scale transformation whilst running the National Lottery
- Within the Commission there is a major government programme which has been responsible for delivering the Fourth National Lottery Licence competition and overseeing the transition from the Third to Fourth Licence. The Programme works alongside the team responsible for regulating Allwyn’s ongoing operation of the National Lottery

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic and commercial oversight of the Fourth National Lottery, working closely with teams (internal and/or procured) through the assessment of relevant regulatory requests, submissions and performance, as well as leading on key strategic projects.

We are looking for an individual who can:

- determine how the Licence is operating , in respect of driving the intended commercial behaviours
- support the team in understanding the operator’s approach to business decisions
- identify what lessons we have learnt to help inform future regulation and competitions

A key aspect of this role will be engaging, managing and briefing key stakeholders, both internal and external, on matters of a commercial nature and therefore we need a person who is confident in communicating complex information in a succinct and clear way.

We are looking for an experienced, commercially savvy and proactive person who has proven experience of taking new and interesting opportunities, shaping and defining the strategic approach and aims, and delivering them.

Please note, we are open to secondments of two years (Civil Service or other organisations).

The Benefits:

- Salary of circa £69k
- Civil service pension, with an employer contribution rate of 27%
- Flexible working
- Hybrid working, specific guidelines are to be agreed with line manager
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 29 days after two years’ service, with the option to buy up to five days extra annual leave

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the commercial scrutiny and robust challenge of the National Lottery operator’s performance, ensuring that senior management and governance bodies are advised of commercial risks associated with the operator’s performance to help inform regulatory decision making
- Review complex contractual matters or licensing proposals (from a commercial perspective) from the operator of the National Lottery and to provide briefings which include risks analysis and recommendations to the Commission’s Executive Team and Board, and external parties as relevant
- Implement lessons learned from previous National Lottery competitions and lead commercial preparation for the Fifth National Lottery competition which will be a blend of commercial and policy design work which will require engaging with senior and external stakeholders
- Procuring and commissioning external professional services support where required for the National Lottery (taking into account the Commission’s operating model and approach to procurement), acting as the intelligent client to commission and instruct specialist support (including legal advice)
- Lead in the identification and management of commercial risks, identifying activities, processes and controls which will mitigate risks and strengthen our oversight of the operator and assurance we require
- Lead and undertake commercial assurance reviews for a portfolio of National Lottery projects and produce relevant stakeholder insights and reporting on commercial matters. This will include providing commercial oversight and evaluation of operator performance through the assessment of operator submissions (i.e. proposals, reports) in order to assess operator performance and achievement of outcomes
- The post holder will be expected to have a key role in coaching and developing other staff within the National Lottery team on commercial practices and standards, growing and evolving the team’s knowledge and approach to commercial assurance

Person Specification

Essential

- Proven leadership experience, driving high performance to further corporate strategic objectives and outcomes
- Experience in analysing and understanding complex commercial strategies, proposals and contracts; understanding commercial drivers, highlighting commercial risks and implications, and providing recommendations on how to proceed
- A deep understanding of contract literacy with experience in creating, interpreting and managing contractual arrangements
- Deep understanding of commercial risk management, with the ability to analyse commercial risks and understand margins of error in developing recommendations
- Stakeholder management skills to ensure that the Commission plays its full part within the complex stakeholder. landscape within which the National Lottery operates and is regulated
- Knowledge of Government Commercial standards and best practice in ensuring value for money through contracts
- Commercial qualification such as MCIPS, or equivalent commercial experience
- Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations

Our Ways of Working

Outcome-focused: We put consumers at the heart of everything we do. We take responsibility for an issue and moving it forward. We deliver results through working collaboratively.
Reaching for ways to improve: We encourage feedback and ideas. We are committed to continuous improvement and are open to trying different ways of working. We celebrate successes and take responsibility when things go wrong.
Respectful: We recognise every colleague’s contribution. We give each other timely constructive feedback. We all encourage challenge.
Communicate well: We are clear and concise. We listen and check our understanding. We explain the reasons for decisions.
Making this a great place to work: We all help to make the Commission a great place to work. We value and support each other. We demonstrate a positive attitude.

About Us:

Set up under the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission is committed to safeguarding the public against any detrimental impact brought about by gambling. We do this by keeping crime out, protecting children and vulnerable people and ensuring the commercial gambling industry is run fairly and openly. We work with the legal system, the public health system, community groups and the industry itself to understand how we can protect the interests of as many people as possible, as effectively as possible.

The closing date for this role is Monday 8 July 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying. We are unable to provide sponsorship for visas currently.

Incomplete applications will be discounted from shortlisting. Please ensure your application is fully completed and submitted before logging out of your account.

We reserve the right to change the closing date depending on the number of responses received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered in the selection process.

This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.