AMS PSR

On behalf of UK Parliament, we are looking for a Senior Security Services Contracts Manager - Inside IR35 for a 6 month contract working on a Hybrid basis (2 days per week in Westminster office and remaining WFH) 

Parliament

Working at the UK Parliament offers a unique and rewarding career at the heart of the UK’s democratic system. With a wide range of roles available, our impartial colleagues enable the day to day running of the House of Commons, House of Lords and joint departments. Together, we make Parliament happen.

The Team

The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) is responsible for physical and personnel security across both Houses of Parliament and provides support to Members and staff when away from the Estate. Its purpose is to keep Parliament safe and open for business.

PSD sets security strategy provides expert advice and delivers an operational service. It does this in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and by working closely with the Parliamentary Estates Teams, Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod’s office, Restoration & Renewal teams, the Parliamentary Digital Service, and other key stakeholders. 

The Role

The role sits within the Security Strategy & Portfolio Team and will lead the center of expertise for our Security Services Contracts, specifically the security service ‘gold’ contracts. They will be accountable for establishing re-procurement strategies and early tender engagement for 5 major contracts totalling circa £7m

In addition to their core responsibilities, the postholder will be a member of the wider department’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and be expected to contribute to the wider management of PSD. They will have a professional reporting line to the Deputy Director Contracts and Supplier Relationship Management in Parliament’s Commercial Department.

Job Purpose 

This role will take a lead on shaping the future outsourced service models, contracts, and delivery, of security services at the heart of Parliament. Working across colleagues and stakeholders, the post holder will ensure that Parliament’s needs are understood and that the contracted services are designed to meet those needs in a reliable, resilience, and professional manner.

The Head of Security Services Contracts will participate in procurement of replacement contracts as well as bringing strategic perspectives and solutions to shape future delivery models. This will include influencing the plans for the internal capabilities and capacity required to support a transition to any different contract models.

Working closely with colleagues in the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) including the Deputy Directors accountable for the services and the current contract managers, and with the Parliamentary Commercial Department (PCD), the postholder will contribute to the successful replacement, implementation and management of a range of contracted security services, including search and screen capability, systems maintenance and provision of security equipment and services.

PLEASE NOTE:

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance

The main duties and responsibilities of the Senior Security Services Contracts Manager would be to:

• Draw on experience of working with security services, provide advice and guidance on the current future contacting models for the members security Services contracts including, personal protective services, search and screen, and other related security services. In addition they will support the re-procurement of critical systems maintenance contracts. Propose and adapt models to best meet Parliament’s needs and enable procurement of those services.
• Contribute to creation of procurement strategies for contracts, working with PCD to agree robust routes to market, selection and evaluation criteria, scopes and performance mechanisms, to deliver VfM and resilience from services.
• Lead on drafting requirements for procurement of security contracts, working closely with colleagues in the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) and the Parliamentary Commercial Department (PCD). Participate in procurement evaluation as a subject matter expert.
• Lead on supplier and market engagement for PSD, drawing on your knowledge of the industry, suppliers, and trends in the market to engage with the right suppliers for Parliament’s needs.
• Develop strategic plans for the future service models, using security best practice, and considering emerging security risks and trends, proposing opportunities for aggregation/ disaggregation and more operationally transformative options for Parliament to consider. Work with PCD to text commercial viability and develop clear commercial pipeline plans for agreed re-procurement approaches.
• Provide risk-based advice and judgement, and solutions to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of service provision. Using experience and expertise, contribute to design of future operating models to ensure that the necessary people, process and technology considerations are included.
• Manage and support the exit and transition to new suppliers/ contracts as required, working with PSD contract managers and operational colleagues to effectively mobilise and embed the new contracts and services.
• Support PSD contract managers to adopt and embed Parliamentary contract management good practice, working with the Commercial Contract & Supplier Management team to align the approached to PSD’s needs and address any capability gaps.
• Provide some occasional support/ input to Business Cases if required.

Essential:

• Has led investigative work into commercial challenges and opportunities creating recommendations and driving improvements to improve commercial outcomes.
• Substantial security-specific industry experience with experience of a range of security services including personal protection services, security monitoring services and similar, physical security access and screening systems.
• Substantial knowledge of market and suppliers of security-related services and knowledge and familiarity of public sector procurement regs/ processes
• Experience of managing complex/ high risk contracts with a deep understanding of the challenges of security procurements and contracts, contracting for security services and associated risks
• Proven ability to make well-judged decisions at strategic and tactical levels, taking into account context, risks and the needs of multiple senior stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management to translate business requirements and user needs into effective action and practical solutions. You build effective relationships with your suppliers, balancing collaboration with competitive tension, and understand the alignments and conflicts between our organisational priorities and goals.
• Alert to the context of high-profile, complex stakeholders and their security needs
• Experience of leadership at a senior level in a complex organisation.
• Experience of working with diverse groups of people, upholding the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion, ensuring that everyone is, at all times, treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
• Use your understanding of technology market trends, contracts, and suppliers, to adopt a range of methods for delivery.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way.

Desirable: 

• Awareness of Defence and Security procurement regs
• GCF Commercial ADC/ MCIPS/ WCC or similar commercial-related qualification

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, UK Parliament guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

Armed Forces Covenant

UK Parliament guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".