Head Of Commercial - Public Sector

Sanderson Government & Defence; London; Remote; GBP 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public sector firm is seeking a Head of Commercial to shape and deliver their procurement strategy. This strategic leadership position involves overseeing a motivated team, negotiating high-value contracts, and ensuring compliance with legislation. The ideal candidate will be MCIPS-qualified with significant experience in public sector procurement and strong negotiation skills. A flexible, collaborative approach is essential in this remote role with travel to London.

Qualifications

• MCIPS-qualified procurement professional with significant public sector experience.
• Proven track record in contract management and negotiation.
• Expertise in relevant legislation and frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the commercial strategy for procurement.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and policies.
• Drive value for money through strategic procurement.

Skills

Public sector procurement expertise

Strong commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

MCIPS qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

e-tendering tools

Job description

Overview

Head of Commercial - Public Sector

Salary: Up to £85,000 per annum

Location: Remote with adhoc travel to London

About the role

My client is on an exciting journey to transform how they deliver procurement.

As Head of Commercial, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping transformation. You'll set and deliver their commercial strategy, ensuring our procurement and contract management processes deliver value for money, sustainability, and exceptional service to our stakeholders.

This is a strategic leadership position within the Finance function. You'll lead a small, motivated team, oversee supplier relationships, negotiate high-value contracts, and ensure compliance with procurement legislation and best practice. It's an opportunity to design and embed a forward-looking commercial function.

What you'll do

• Shape and deliver the client's commercial strategy, including procurement planning, contracting, negotiations, and supplier management.
• Ensure compliance with procurement regulations, policies, and risk management practices.
• Drive value for money through strategic procurement, contract management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Own the contracts register and oversee the full contract life cycle.
• Provide trusted commercial advice to colleagues, stakeholders, and suppliers, building strong relationships along the way.
• Develop frameworks for accurate and timely procurement data, policies, risk registers, and reporting.
• Lead, inspire, and develop a small team, fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to wider projects and initiatives, taking ownership of ad hoc assignments when required.

What we're looking for

MCIPS-qualified procurement professional who thrives in a public sector environment and has experience working with Crown Commercial Services (CCS) frameworks.

You'll bring:

• Proven expertise in public sector procurement, with in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and frameworks (including the Procurement Act 2023).
• Strong commercial acumen with experience running high-value tenders and delivering cost savings through supplier management.
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills, including risk assessment and mitigation.
• The ability to lead and inspire a small team, driving a culture of continuous improvement.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A flexible, collaborative approach, with experience working in dynamic, change-oriented environments.
• Sharp analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret market trends and deliver creative solutions.

Essential

• MCIPS qualification.
• Significant public sector procurement experience.
• Demonstrable track record in contract management and negotiation.

Desirable

• Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office, e-tendering tools, Purchase-to-Pay/ERP systems).
• Resilient, motivated, and results-focused mindset.

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.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.