Assistant Director Facilities (Contract Management & Governance)

• Details
• Reference number
• 476818
• Salary
• £84,800 - £90,500

Applicants new to the Civil Service will be recruited at the minimum of the pay band for the grade of the position into which they are appointed. Only in exceptional circumstances will a salary above the minimum be considered, based on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications demonstrated through the recruitment process, and also equity with staff internal to the CMA.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

• Job grade
• Grade 6
• Contract type
• Permanent
• Business area
• Property and Facilities Management
• Type of role
• Commercial
• Procurement and Contracts Management
• Project Delivery
• Property
• Working pattern
• Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time
• Number of jobs available
• 1
• Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Manchester

About the job

Job summary

The Facilities Management team at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is responsible for ensuring the organisation’s estate, workplace services and property arrangements support the delivery of its objectives. Working across a diverse property portfolio, the team provides safe, effective and well-managed office environments for colleagues across the UK.

As Assistant Director Facilities – Contract Management and Governance, you will provide strategic leadership for the CMA’s facilities management, workplace and property support contracts.

About the CMA

The CMA is a world-leading competition authority at the forefront of tackling pressing public policy questions, including the regulation of the biggest digital markets. Our mission is to make markets work well in the interests of consumers, businesses, and the economy.

We are fully committed to being a flexible, respectful and inclusive employer. It is a priority to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

You can read more about working at the CMA in our candidate pack

Job description

Acting as the organisation’s intelligent client, you will oversee supplier performance, contract governance, property compliance and facilities budgets, ensuring services are delivered effectively and provide value for money.

You will lead the management of key contracts and supplier relationships, oversee leasehold interests and property agreements, manage strategic and operational risks, and provide expert advice to senior leaders on facilities and property-related matters. You will also play a key role in supporting sustainability initiatives, workplace improvements and future estate planning.

A central part of the role will be building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Facilities function at governance forums, and leading a high-performing team focused on customer service, professionalism and continuous improvement.

To succeed, you will bring significant experience of managing large-scale outsourced facilities or property contracts, alongside expertise in commercial property management, supplier governance and stakeholder engagement. You will be a strong leader with experience managing budgets, risk and organisational change, with a focus on delivering high-quality services and value for money.

For full role responsibilities, please review the attached role profile.

Person specification

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document

Essential Criteria

• Proven track record in leading the management of large-scale outsourced facilities management or property-related contracts alongside significant experience of managing commercial property leases, licences to occupy or similar property agreements. (Lead Criteria)
• Membership of IWFM, RICS, CIPS, IOSH or a related professional body and a Contract Management qualification, such as Contract Management Capability Programme accreditation at Foundation or practitioner level. (Lead Criteria)
• Excellent leadership and people management skills alongside experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships at a senior level. (Lead Criteria)
• Experience managing operational and strategic risks within a facilities, property or workplace environment and also experience of leading service improvement and organisational change initiatives.
• Experience managing large budgets and delivering value for money outcomes alongside an understanding of public sector governance and assurance requirements.
• Understanding of sustainability and health and safety and property compliance obligations within a corporate environment.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in the operational delivery of office facilities
• Experience within central government or the wider public sector
• Experience within a regulatory environment
• Experience delivering workplace transformation or estate improvement programmes
• Knowledge of public procurement legislation and contract management frameworks.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Applicants will be assessed against relevant Government Property Profession and Government Commercial Function standards; Contract and Supplier Management, Risk Management and Assurance & Property and Facilities Management Practice.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £84,800, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £24,566 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

You’ll also get:

• 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King’s birthday. In addition, you’ll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering
• Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests
• Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard
• A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.

Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.

You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application and sift stage

• As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and an online application form. Further details about application requirements are listed on the application form.
• The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review), and an interview.
• Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application. Your personal statement should be no more than 1250 words.
• An initial sift based on the three Lead Criteria may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application progresses to a full sift, the remaining points under the 'essential' criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered.
• We may raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications and take through the highest performing candidates to the interview stage.
• Successful candidates at sift will be invited to an interview which will be conducted either in-person or virtually via Teams.

Interview stage

• At the CMA we apply a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you and we use the Success Profiles framework assessing the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills listed in the advert and attached role profile.
• The first part of the interview will comprise of a presentation based on the Technical element summarised below. The details of which you will sent with your interview invitation.
• The second part of the interview will be a 45 minute-one hour panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills outlined in the role profile.

Technical elements we will assess at the interview:

Applicants will be assessed against relevant Government Property Profession and Government Commercial Function standards, particularly:

• Contract and Supplier Management - at interview, through questions
• Risk Management and Assurance - at interview, through questions
• Property and Facilities Management Practice - at interview, through a presentation

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Timeline (the dates outlined below are indicative and may be subject to change)

• The advert closing date is 23:55 on Tuesday 1st September 2026. We are not able to accept late applications.
• The sift is scheduled to take place between 2nd - 11th September 2026.
• Interviews will be held Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd September 2026.

Our recruitment process is fully inclusive and we can make adjustments to provide you with the opportunity and support to bring your best self to the recruitment process. This could include having an interview buddy, extra time at interviews/assessments, or receiving interview questions in advance. We will be happy to discuss any person-centred adjustments you’d like us to make to the process and you can contact us by emailing our dedicated mailbox at adjustments@cma.gov.uk.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Becky Smith
• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.