Commercial Manager

Gold Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gold Group in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to lead the commercial strategy and delivery of complex software and technology procurements within a large public sector environment. You will develop sourcing strategies, manage end-to-end procurements from business case to contract award, and provide leadership in licensing, subscriptions and renewals.

Applicants should have extensive public sector procurement experience, a track record of high-value software

Qualifications

• Extensive public sector commercial experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Proven leadership of high-value software, tech, and digital procurements from inception to award.
• Strong knowledge of software licensing, SaaS, cloud services and enterprise renewals.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and negotiation plans delivering value for money.
• Understanding of procurement governance and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial strategy for complex software and technology procurements, renewals and contracts.
• Develop sourcing strategies and route-to-market approaches to deliver value for money.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities from business case to contract award and implementation.
• Create competitive tension in supplier negotiations to secure optimal outcomes.
• Draft and manage procurement documentation, tender materials and commercial models.
• Analyse supplier proposals, licensing structures and commercial responses to support decisions.
• Provide leadership on enterprise software licensing, subscriptions, support, and consumption-based models.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across Digital, Technology, Finance, Procurement and IT Asset Management.

Skills

Public sector procurement

Commercial leadership

Supplier negotiations

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiations

Pricing models

Governance & compliance

Education

MCIPS qualification

Tools

Microsoft licensing

Oracle licensing

IBM licensing

Informatica

Flexera

Job description

Please only apply if located in one of the following locations and able to work on site - Manchester/Newcastle/Blackpool - hybrid, 60% in clients Hub / 40% home working

We are seeking an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to lead the commercial strategy and delivery of complex, high-value software and technology procurements within a large public sector environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the commercial strategy for complex software and technology procurements, renewals and contract negotiations.
• Develop sourcing strategies, route-to-market approaches and commercial recommendations that deliver value for money and support organisational objectives.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities from business case development and market engagement through to contract award and implementation.
• Create and maintain competitive tension within supplier negotiations to secure optimal commercial outcomes.
• Draft and manage procurement documentation, tender materials, commercial models, evaluation criteria and contract schedules.
• Analyse supplier proposals, pricing structures, licensing models and commercial responses to support robust decision-making.
• Provide commercial leadership and advice on enterprise software licensing, subscriptions, support arrangements and consumption-based commercial models.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across Digital, Technology, Finance, Procurement and IT Asset Management functions.

Essential:

• Extensive public sector commercial and procurement experience gained within a large, complex organisation, government department, arm's-length body or regulated environment.
• Proven experience leading high-value, strategically important software, technology and digital procurements from inception through to contract award.
• Strong commercial expertise across enterprise software markets, including major vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Informatica and Flexera.
• Deep understanding of software licensing models, SaaS and cloud-based services, subscription agreements, software support arrangements and enterprise renewals.
• Demonstrable experience developing sourcing strategies, route-to-market approaches and negotiation strategies that deliver value for money and strong commercial outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement governance, commercial best practice and procurement lifecycle management.
• Significant experience leading competitive tendering exercises, supplier negotiations, commercial evaluations and contract awards.
• Proven ability to analyse complex commercial proposals, assess risk and negotiate favourable contractual and financial outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior leaders, Digital, Technology, Finance, ITAM and supplier organisations.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance business requirements, affordability, risk and long-term strategic objectives.
• Highly organised, analytical and capable of managing multiple priorities within fast-paced and complex environments.
• Strong communication, presentation and report-writing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and provide robust commercial advice.
• Self-motivated and delivery-focused, with the ability to work independently, take ownership and drive procurements through to successful completion

Desirable:

• Experience supporting large-scale digital transformation programmes, enterprise technology initiatives and complex software renewals.
• Knowledge of Software Asset Management (SAM), IT Asset Management (ITAM), cloud procurement frameworks and digital sourcing strategies.
• Experience working with Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks, government procurement routes and large public sector organisations.
• MCIPS qualified (or equivalent) with an understanding of technology architecture, supplier relationship management and category management best practice.