Capital & Infrastructure Category Manager

Zoological Society of London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 12%

Flexible working

Annual leave 25 days

Life assurance

Wellbeing support

Staff tickets to London Zoo/Whipsnade

Cycle2Work

Job summary

ZSL is seeking a Capital & Infrastructure Category Manager to shape procurement strategies across all ZSL sites, with specialist commercial expertise in construction, estates, infrastructure and capital projects. The role collaborates with Capital Projects, Estates, Finance and Legal, to deliver value for money and robust governance.

You will lead procurement for enabling works and main projects, manage risks, and ensure health and safety and sustainability are embedded.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing procurement strategies for large construction, estates, and capital projects.
• Proven ability in tendering, contract negotiation, award, mobilisation and commercial management.
• Strong understanding of procurement risk, governance and whole-life value.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support competitive procurement processes for construction works, professional services and suppliers.
• Coordinate with project sponsors, Finance and Legal to align procurement with budgets and timelines.
• Provide commercial advice on costs, contingencies, variations and change control; support contractor mobilisation and performance reviews.
• Maintain procurement governance records and embed health & safety, sustainability and value into strategies.
• Develop project-specific procurement and contracting strategies for enabling works and main projects.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Contract negotiation

Tendering

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Excel

Education

MCIPS or MRICS

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Purpose of the role

As a Capital & Infrastructure Category Manager, you’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering procurement strategies across all ZSL sites, providing specialist commercial expertise across construction, estates, infrastructure and capital projects.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Capital Projects, Estates, Finance and Legal, as well as external technical advisers and suppliers, you’ll develop effective procurement and contracting strategies, manage commercial risks and ensure value for money. Through strong stakeholder relationships and strategic commercial decision-making, you’ll help drive successful project delivery and support ZSL’s wider organisational objectives.

This is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week, with a hybrid working arrangement. You’ll be expected to work on-site at least two days per week.

Please note that first-stage interviews will take place virtually on either 29th or 30th October. If successful, the second-stage interview will be held in person at ZSL London Zoo’s Regent’s Park site on 4th November.

Key responsibilities:

• Commercial Procurement & Market Engagement: Lead and support competitive procurement processes for construction works, professional services and specialist suppliers, advising on procurement routes, evaluation models, risk allocation and commercial terms.
• Project & Stakeholder Coordination: Work closely with project sponsors, technical advisers, Finance and Legal to align procurement activities with project budgets, programme timelines, funding, approvals and mobilisation requirements.
• Commercial Risk & Supplier Management: Provide commercial advice on costs, value engineering, contingencies, variations, claims and change control, while supporting contractor mobilisation, performance reviews and supplier assurance.
• Governance & Best Practice: Maintain robust procurement governance records, provide recommendations for approval, monitor market and supply-chain risks, and embed health and safety, sustainability, accessibility and whole-life value into procurement strategies.
• Procurement & Contracting Strategies: Develop project-specific procurement and contracting strategies for enabling works, main works, estate development and infrastructure programmes.

About You

• Experience in procurement or commercial management within construction, infrastructure, estates or major projects.
• Experience in tendering, contract negotiation, award, mobilisation and commercial management.
• Strong understanding of procurement strategies, contracting, commercial risk and project cost management.
• A relevant qualification, such as MCIPS or MRICS, or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong communication, analytical and Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong commitment to health and safety, with the ability to promote safe working practices and comply with relevant policies and procedures.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What We Offer?

Alongside the opportunity to do purpose-driven work that helps create a world where wildlife thrives, you'll enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working options
• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing with service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Life assurance from day one (for eligible employees)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Access to our staff Equality Networks
• Complimentary London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets, plus retail discounts
• Cycle2Work scheme and interest-free season ticket loans (for eligible London-based employees)

You can find the full details of our benefits in the attached Benefits Guide.

We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.

If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at – [e-mail]