About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a new Head of Channel to join our customer division.

The UKHO is reliant on a global distribution channel to provide Admiralty products and services to the navigation market, and with the increase in use of digital data and services in existing (navigation) and adjacent markets, now more than ever we need to ensure that our end users and partners within our routes to markets are strategically central to decision making and operationally supported to a high level. 

This is a leadership role which requires internal and external influencing to the highest level. The post-holder will be responsible for the operational and strategic management of all commercial routes to market. The role will ensure the Licensing, Channel and Compliance teams deliver unique value, keep customers at the heart of delivering our vision and ensure UKHO remains ‘provider of choice’ for navigation by supporting the Customer Strategy. 

Working closely with senior management across Customer Division and other UKHO Teams, the post-holder will ensure commercial agreements and policies are in line with international governance, strategy and, where necessary, negotiate new agreements with key partners that will maximise the customer experience and the commercial return for the UKHO. 

The successful candidate will enjoy working in a customer focussed, fast-paced environment with a high level of responsibility and autonomy as part of a committed and skilled supportive team.

This is a high profile and important role that requires constant in-person and virtual interaction with a wide range of stakeholders. In order to build rapport and learn effectively, there is a requirement for the post-holder to be in the office for at least four days a week for the first three months. After that, a reduction to 3 days a week will be considered.

Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working (arrangements available as agreed with the line manager) applies within the UK, and does not extend to working overseas.

Job description

•    Update and deliver the UKHO Licensing, Channel and Partner Programmes Strategy ensuring that this is regularly tested to ensure that it meets with our wider Commercial Strategy.

•    Work alongside Customer Mgmt & wider UKHO staff to maintain and improve first-class infrastructure to support commercial activities (e.g., procedures, policies, commercial agreements licensing) the ordering and delivery of UKHO paper and digital products.

•    Ensure good two-way communication and fostering an environment of mutual trust and benefit with commercial partners (e.g., Distributors, CNITA, Licensees, Solution Providers) with the aim of developing closer partnerships in line with the Channel Strategy.

•    Ensure effective, measurable programmes are in place to drive commercial performance whilst maintaining appropriate fairness and quality standards.

•    Ensure the proper use of UKHO owned and held data, our brands and reputation by managing compliance issues in accordance with UKHO policy and agreements.

Person specification

•    Excellent negotiating skills and ability to work at the highest level.
•    Experience of channel management in an international business to business environment.
•    Experience in contract management 
•    Experience in Auditing and compliance 
•    Experience in managing through mergers & acquisitions within a business channel
•    Excellent communication skills including written, verbal and presentations to senior personnel in an international environment.
•    Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines with multiple projects.
•    Highly self-motivated and results driven.
•    An understanding of how cultural differences can impact in a business environment.
•    Fully computer literate and numerate.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,686, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £15,575 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to Apply:

Please send a copy of your CV demonstrating your relevant experience to the role (see below) by clicking "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page.  You will also be asked to submit a statement of up to 500 words detailing how you meet these criteria. 

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: Monday 22nd January 2024
• Shortlisting: week commencing 29th January 2024
• Interviews: week commencing 5th February 2024 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. 

Should we receive a high volume of applications they will first be assessed against the lead criteria as shown below.  Only those that score highly enough against that criteria will have their applications considered against the other criteria listed.

Both your CV and your statement of suitability will be short-listed against the following criteria: 

•    Experience of channel management in an international business to business environment. (Lead criteria)
•    Experience in auditing and compliance
•    Experience in contract management
•    Experience in managing through mergers & acquisitions within a business channel 

Interview Criteria: 

You will be interviewed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours (Level 4):

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing 
• Managing a Quality Service

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

 Process:  

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information)
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 2 people and will last approx. 45 mins 

Onboarding Checks:

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms. 

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

BPSS – non reserved
This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and is open to UK, British Commonwealth, and European Economic Area nationals. Successful applicants will be required to pass the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and will therefore need to provide evidence if they have resided outside of the UK for a period of 6 months or longer within the last 3 years. This is not a bar to employment, but a successful applicant will be required to provide sufficient evidence to allow the UKHO to conduct meaningful background checks. Please contact the recruitment team on the email address below if you have any concerns regarding this.

Eligibility

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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.