Head of Commercial / Procurement

Job Title: Head of Commercial / Procurement

Location: London / Mainly Remote site visits once or twice per month

Salary: Up to £85,000 + benefits

Fantastic new permanent opportunity for an experienced Head of Commercial with this independent public authority based in London. My client's procurement service has previously been a blend of internal and external support, but they are now bringing the service in-house to better serve the future needs of their stakeholders. They are transforming the way they operate and have an ambitious plan to provide centralised goods and services to simplify processes and ensure value for money and sustainability.

The Head of Commercial is a strategic role, responsible for developing and implementing a commercial strategy that aligns with the purpose of supporting democracy with great service, fair rules and wise spending. This role will lead commercial activities across the organisation, negotiating and managing contracts, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure efficient, compliant procurement processes. Key responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, adhering to relevant regulations and policies and identifying cost-efficiency opportunities. This role leads a small team and sits within the Finance function.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and implementing robust commercial plans that support the strategic objectives, including procurement, contracting, leading negotiations and managing key supplier relationships to deliver great service, cost efficiency and added value.
• Ensuring compliance by managing and optimising procurement processes, guiding and overseeing compliance with relevant procurement regulations, policies, best practice and managing risks.
• Focusing on value for money through strategic procurement and contract management and identifying and implementing opportunities for improving commercial outcomes.
• Identifying, assessing, and managing commercial risks throughout the lifecycle of contracts with overall ownership of the contracts register.
• Working collaboratively with other teams, stakeholders and suppliers to build and maintain strong relationships, providing strategic commercial advice on procurement matters.
• Developing and maintaining a framework for managing timely and accurate contract and procurement information, including robust controls, up-to-date policy and guidance, risk registers and publications.
• Leading, motivating, and developing a small commercial team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in commercial processes and practices.
• Undertaking autonomous projects and other ad-hoc pieces of work as well as contributing to wider projects, as required.

Skills and Experience required

• Strong commercial acumen: ability to formulate and execute commercial plans to support the business goals, run full high value tendering exercises and to manage key supplier relationships to deliver cost savings and added value.
• Extensive knowledge of procurement and practical procurement experience: managing and optimising procurement processes, guiding and overseeing compliance with relevant principles, existing and future legislation, regulations and practice.
• Public sector procurement; significant experience of public sector procurement regulations and contract management. Specific, contemporary and demonstrable professional development in operational and strategic impacts of the Procurement Act 2023.
• Negotiation and contract management skills: experience in leading contract negotiations and managing contract performance including identifying, assessing, and managing commercial risks throughout the lifecycle of contracts.
• Communication and engagement skills: building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing strategic advice on procurement matters.
• Leadership: ability to lead and motivate a small commercial team to perform at their best, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in commercial and procurement processes and practices.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: ability to analyse market trends, risk assessment and creative problem-solving on own initiative.
• Collaboration: working collaboratively with other teams and stakeholders to achieve organisational and personal objectives.
• Flexibility and change: a flexible approach to work and change, with proven track-record of contributing to continuous improvement.
• MCIPS qualification.

For more information or to apply please send a copy of your CV to

Reasonable Adjustments:

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

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