Assistant Director, Commercial and Procurement
Assistant Director, Commercial and Procurement
Information pack for candidates
February 2016
Contents
A message from Alison Sansome……………………………………………………3
About the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)…………………………………...4
Our vision, mission and values………………………………………………………..5
Role profile Assistant Director, Commercial and Procurement .………..…..…6 -12
NMC Behaviours …..………………………………………………………………13-15
Timetable………………………………………………………………………………..16
How to apply……………………………………………………………………………17
Terms and conditions of appointment……………………………………………….18
Equal opportunities monitoring form…………………………………………………19
A message from Alison Sansome, Chief Operating Officer
Thank you for your interest in the role of Assistant Director, Commercial & Procurement
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) plays a vital role in public protection. With a register of over 670,000 nurses and midwives we are the largest regulator of healthcare professionals in the UK. We are principally funded through annual registration fees from nurses and midwives and also have charitable status.
As Assistant Director of Commercial & Procurement you will act as strategic functional business partner to the departmental Directors across the NMC,as they lead the business through a significant period of change while also acting as the senior technical expert responsible for delivering all aspects of commercial and procurement management.
You will report to the Director of Resources and will support the Director in leading and developing the continuous improvement programme within the resources directorate. You will ensure the delivery of the improvement programme, designed to increaseefficiency, strengthen quality and improve value for money outcomes of commercial and procurement activities.
We are looking for someone who brings substantial experience of working at senior level in a high profile and complex environment and with a track record of leading continuous improvement, scrutiny and service improvement in a contract and procurement setting. Resilient and confident, you will be comfortable working in an environment of continuous change at a fast pace.
If you believe you have the skills and experience to fulfil this role we are very interested in receiving your application, so do please read on.
Alison Sansome
Chief Operating Officer
Nursing and Midwifery Council
About the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Background
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the regulator for nurses and midwives in the UK, working in the public interest to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. With over 670,000 nurses and midwives on the register, the NMC is the largest healthcare regulator in the UK and a lead agency in public protection.
The NMC’s regulatory functions are to:
- Maintain a register of nurses and midwives eligible to practise in the UK.
- Set standards of education, training and conduct for nurses and midwives.
- Ensure nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date and uphold the standards of their professional Code.
- Set rules for the practice and supervision of midwives.
- Investigate allegations made against nurses and midwives who may not have upheld the standards of conduct and performance laid down in the Code.
The governing body for the NMC is the Council. The Council sets the NMC’s strategic direction. It meets in public to discuss and decide on the most important issues facing the organisation. In May 2013 a new Council was appointed as part of a revision to the NMC’s governance arrangements.
We are accountable to the Privy Council. The Order sets out the nature of the relationship between the NMC and the Privy Council and the reporting mechanisms required. We are subject to an annual performance review by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), and have regular contact with ministers and officials in the departments of health in the four countries of the UK.
In addition to being a statutory body, the NMC is also a charity registered with the Charity Commission.
The NMC’s 500 plus members of staff, led by the Chief Executive and Registrar, are responsible for implementing the decisions of the Council. The NMC’s Executive Board is responsible for ensuring that the NMC delivers its full range of statutory functions and achieves the objectives outlined in the Business Plan, and for leading and directing the organisation’s business and financial affairs.
The powers of the NMC are detailed in the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001. The work of the NMC is governed by this and other associated legislation.
Vison, mission and values
Our vision
To safeguard the public by ensuring nurses and midwives consistently deliver high quality healthcare.
Our mission
The Nursing and Midwifery Council exists to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. We do this by maintaining a register of nurses and midwives, setting standards for education and practice, and giving guidance and advice to the professions. We aim to inspire confidence by ensuring that the nurses and midwives on our register are fit to practise and by dealing swiftly and fairly with those who are not.
Our values
We are accountable
We act in the best interests of people who use or need the services of nurses and midwives.
We take responsibility for our actions and are open and transparent.
We are fair
We act with integrity and can be trusted to use our powers responsibly.
We are consistent in the way we deal with people and show consideration and understanding.
We are professional
We are known for our expertise and work to high standards in all we do.
We look for innovative solutions and learn from our mistakes.
We are progressive
We provide strategic direction and lead the way in modern healthcare regulation.
We build and maintain networks and work in partnership with others to fulfil our aims.
We are inclusive
We respect and value everyone for their contribution, celebrate people’s differences and provide equality of opportunity for all.
We consult, encourage feedback, listen, and respond to our stakeholders.
Job description
Job title: Assistant Director, Commercial & Procurement
Reporting to: Director of Resources
Job family: Finance
Pay level:G
NMC leadership behaviours
As a senior leader you are collectively and individually accountable for demonstrating and modelling the behavioural standards aligned to our organisation’s values in all aspects of your role, to drive organisational excellence and enable delivery of the highest standards of service. You are expected to communicate a compelling vision both internally and externally, articulating the corporate agenda to a diverse stakeholder group with awareness of and sensitivity to a range of perspectives. As a member of the leadership team you will be held accountable for performance within your areas of responsibility in achieving the NMC’s strategic priorities and for building staff engagement and empowerment, promoting trust, mutual respect and operating at all times with the utmost integrity.
Role purpose
This role is responsible for leading on the strategic direction of the commercial and procurement function within the NMC, providing professional leadership to the team through a period of transformation and organisational change with overall responsibility for commercial and procurement activities undertaken at the NMC.
As the senior technical expert you will develop and influence close stakeholder relationships at senior level across the NMCproviding expert advice to enable robust decision makingto support the delivery of the Council’s corporate objectives, including accountability for savings targets.
To oversee and develop senior level stakeholder relationships with supplier and other external organisationsto ensure all of the NMC’s commercial contracts are effectively and efficiently managed.
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Key accountabilities
• Provide up-to-date expertise and advice to the Directors, the Performance and Resources Board and NMC Council on commercial and procurement related issues to support the development of strategies and initiatives that deliver the Council’s vision and corporate objectives.
• Take the commercial/procurement lead on corporate or cross-cutting programmes and projects both within the Resources Directorate and across the NMC, as required by the Performance and Resources Board, to enable the effective implementation of Council priorities.
• Take the commercial/procurement lead in significant projects and programmes at the NMC ensuring a commercial approach to financial decision-making
• Lead, motivate and assess the team and define workload across the commercial function.
• Lead representation of the Commercial function in senior NMC forums.
• Lead the delivery of the function improvement programme and benefits realisation.
• Monitor progress, taking action as necessary to achieve organizational targets and improvements.
• Oversee the management of risks ensuring pre-emptive action is taken to minimise risks involved in procurement exercises.
• Manage communication with stakeholders, influencing senior stakeholders to achieve joint understanding of and commitment to following effective procurement practice within the organisation.
• Focus on meeting users’ requirements and exceeding their expectations in terms of ad-hoc purchases. Monitor internal client satisfaction and ensure service continues to meet their expectations. Monitor supplier relationship management.
• Educate and guide users and stakeholders on processes and public sector procurement procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance.
• Oversee a supplier base development and management, including supplier appraisal, supplier performance appraisal and audits.
• Oversee establishing service level agreements and performance measures to incorporate into agreements with suppliers in selected categories.
• Monitor and verify contractual changes as required in order to ensure costs and services evolve to match changing business needs and priorities.
• Monitor and develop procedures for the effective and efficient management of all departmental paperwork, including requests for quotations, tenders, contracts, purchase orders in accordance with the appropriate public sector guidelines and best practice.
• Supervise preparation of tender documentation and conduct selected tenders. Participate in the evaluation and selection decision.
• Work closely with Finance, HR and legal resources as required to incorporate their advice and to shape potential solutions which address identified needs and risks.
• Lead the development and promotion of standards and policies within the Commercial function.
Functional responsibilities
As part of the Senior Management Group (SMG)
• Provide up-to-date expertise and advice to the Directors, the Performance and Resources Board and NMC Council on procurement-related issues to support the development of strategies and initiatives that deliver the Council’s vision and corporate objectives.
• Take the lead on corporate or cross-cutting programmes and projects both within the Resources Directorate and across the NMC, as required by the Performance and Resources Board, to enable the effective implementation of Council priorities.
• Take the commercial lead in significant projects and programmes at the NMC ensuring a commercial approach to procurement decision-making
• Provide compelling, consistent and corporate leadership which creates clarity for all staff and builds a sense of shared accountability for the commercial success of the organisation.
• Develop and maintain excellent external relationships, acting at all times as a corporate ambassador for the NMC and building the organisation’s reputation and profile as a provider of high quality regulatory and public protection services.
• In conjunction with the Programme Management Office (PMO) develop a framework for business case analysis ensuring affordability and value for money, enabling effective project prioritisation.
• Implement and maintain a project accounting methodology suitable to support a significant transformation programme.
• Deputise for the Director of Resources as required.
Departmental leadership
• Championing the NMC’s values and behaviours, provide professional leadership and development to staff in the Commercial function, to ensure they build the capability and skills necessary to deliver excellent commercial and procurement services to the NMC.
• Regularly review and revise the structure and processes of the Department, to enable effective working and promote performance improvement.
• Manage financial, human and other resources efficiently and cost effectively, ensuring there is the capacity to discharge the Department’s functions in line with corporate priorities, organisational requirements and budgetary constraints.
• Devise appropriate performance targets and standards for the Department, closely monitoring achievement against them, to ensure that all staff and services deliver the NMC’s corporate priorities and core mission.
People management
• Provide strong leadership and direction and keep performance improvement under review and ensure that performance targets are met.
• Facilitate and support the team to enable them to achieve the department or directorate’s objectives.
• Provide consistent performance management by providing regular feedback, conducting formal reviews, and identifying and addressing business-focussed training and development needs.
• Manage issues relating to conduct and capability, ensuring that such issues are dealt with in a focussed and timely manner.
Other responsibilities
There are a number of standard duties and responsibilities that all employees, irrespective of their role and level of seniority within the NMC, are expected to be familiar with and adhere to.
• Comply at all times with the requirements of health and safety regulations to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
• Promote and comply with NMC policies on diversity and equality both in the delivery of services and treatment of others.
• Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and its amendments.
• Comply with NMC protocols on the appropriate use of telephone, email and internet facilities.
• Comply with the principles of risk management in relation to individual and corporate responsibilities.
• Comply with NMC policies and procedures as compiled on the organisation’s intranet.
This job description is not exhaustive and as such the post holder is expected to be flexible. Any changes will only be made following a discussion with the post holder.
Person specification
Job title: Assistant Director, Commercial and Procurement
Qualifications and experience
• Degree level education.
• Full member of CIPS or equivalent.
• Experience of working at a senior level in a high profile and complex environment; skills in understanding and responding to different perspectives and taking a cross-organisational perspective.
• Proven track record of delivering major organisational transformation and culture change.
• Experience of working at Board/Council level presenting at the most senior level
• Evidence of continuous professional development particularly in regards to sourcing, management, procure-to-pay or relationships development.
• Significant experience in procurement and commercial management including demonstrable staff management experience.
• Experience of undertaking a procure-to-pay or sourcing role.
• Public procurement experience and project management experience.
• A proven track record of delivering results in a strategic and operational environments.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
• Excellent people leadership skills and proven ability to motivate develop and hold to account large and diverse teams.
• A successful track record of leading and motivating a team of commercial/procurement professionals to a high level of achievement through the setting and monitoring of objectives to achieve successful performance outcomes
• Strong technical knowledge and an effective understanding of good practice in procurement.
• An effective grasp of analytical tools and models which can be deployed to improve efficiencies across the procurement processes and functions.
• Strong technical knowledge of management principles and techniques.
• Able to develop and implement effective internal service level agreements with users and stakeholders to report performance and set expectations
• Ability to effectively interpret a set of financial accounts.
• Effective problem solving and decision making capabilities.
Personal qualities
• An operational ‘can-do’ mind-set.
• A track record of establishing high quality effective working relationships with stakeholders. Strong personal leadership and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels
• Highly motivated, energetic and well organised. Able to work to deadlines in a pressurised environment.
- Comply at all times with the requirements of health and safety regulations to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
- Promote and comply with NMC policies on diversity and equality both in the delivery of services and treatment of others.
- Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and its amendments.
- Comply with NMC protocols on the appropriate use of telephone, email and internet facilities.
- Comply with the principles of risk management in relation to individual and corporate responsibilities.
- Comply with NMC policies and procedures as compiled on the organisation’s intranet.
This job description is not exhaustive and as such the post holder is expected to be flexible. Any changes will only be made following a discussion with the post holder.
NMC Behaviours
Accountability for results
This behaviour is about setting stretching and ambitious performance standards that deliver excellence. It means holding oneself, staff and the organisation as a whole to account for meeting those standards.
Takes personal responsibility for the organisation’s successes and failures.
Sets stretching short and medium-term performance targets, and holds self and others firmly to account for achieving them, to drive organisational excellence.
Considers how to align the organisational structure and management processes to ensure the achievement of corporate goals.
Challenges senior colleagues and stakeholders when necessary to ensure the organisation delivers the highest standards of service and operates with integrity.
Maintains a positive and determined approach to achieving organisational goals, even in face of significant challenges or setbacks.