Assistant Director - Commercial

Assistant Director - Commercial

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th September 2026

📍 Location: Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

💷 Salary: £69,501 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

🕘️ Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

🏆️ Available Positions: 1

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking an Assistant Director of Commercial to join the Corporate Services. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, providing multiple statutory functions as flag, port and coastal State and delivering international obligations for search and rescue, environmental protection and responding to major maritime incidents. The Procurement function is a key enabler for the Agency to ensure we can deliver against this remit.

As part of the Finance and Analysis directorate, the Procurement team is responsible for MCA’s Commercial Strategy and managing the procurement of goods and services for the Agency and ensuring that its c. £500m total budget is deployed in an efficient and value for money way.

As the Assistant Director - Commercial you will report to the Director of Finance and Analysis, providing strategic focus and oversight of MCA’s commercial activity, ensuring the robustness of commercial decision making and value for money is obtained.

As a key member of the Senior Management Team within the Finance and Analysis Directorate, you will provide effective and inspiring leadership to the Procurement team, fostering a high performing culture through continuous improvement.

Top Responsibilities

• Leading on MCA's Commercial Strategy, ensuring alignment with MCA objectives and financial plans, and the Government Commercial Function Strategy.
• Leading MCA’s Procurement team and embedding a culture of continuous improvement and high performance to ensure the effectiveness of support and commercial advice.
• Working closely with leads on MCA’s major projects and programmes, to ensure projects are developed and monitored with strong commercial focus.
• Ensuring alignment with the Government Functional Standard for Commercial, including applicable guidance and playbooks.
• Providing assurance to MCA’s Accounting Officer by ensuring compliance with procurement legislation.

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

Benefits

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience of developing and managing a Commercial Strategy and control framework.
• Experience of delivering innovative commercial strategies to achieve value for money while balancing risk.
• Evidence of managing complex commercial procedures including multistage negotiation, ensuring delivery of required outcomes while adhering to Government procurement policy and regulation.
• Experience of senior stakeholder management, with both senior management and external suppliers.
• Advanced knowledge of commercial skills and contract management techniques and methods across the full commercial lifecycle
• Knowledge of applicable UK Government commercial policies and requirements, including Public Contract Regulations and the Procurement Act 2023.

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 6th September 2026