Head of Procurement

The Methodist Church in Britain; Portslade by Sea; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working and wellbeing support

Leave and pension

Training and continuous development

Key role influencing corporate plan

Job summary

Brighton and Hove City Council is seeking a Head of Procurement to lead the procurement, contract management and commercial assurance function across services. The role sets strategy, strengthens governance and drives improvement, advising on complex, high-value decisions while guiding change and transformation.

Senior post working with elected Members and Corporate Leadership Team, politically restricted. Interviews scheduled for 9–11 November 2026; flexible working and wellbeing support are

Qualifications

• Strong track record in procurement or commercial leadership in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of developing and delivering procurement or commercial strategies.
• Experience of leading and developing high-performing, inclusive teams.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders on complex, high-risk issues.
• Deep knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and best practice.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, translating strategy into delivery.
• Effective communication with Members, senior officers, partners and suppliers.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and delivering social value through procurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the council's procurement, contract management and commercial assurance function.
• Ensure a consistent and effective corporate approach across all services.
• Strengthen governance and improve systems and processes.
• Lead strategic procurement that secures high-quality, cost-effective and socially valuable outcomes.
• Give expert advice on complex, high-value and high-risk procurement decisions.
• Lead the service through change, stabilisation and development.
• Keep the council's approach compliant, innovative and commercially effective as public procurement law changes.
• Play a leading role in shaping the future of procurement across the organisation.
• Work with Members, the Corporate Leadership Team and senior officers to support the Council Plan.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Strategy development

Inclusive teams

Stakeholder influence

Procurement legislation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder communication

Social value & equality

Job description

Head of Procurement leading Brighton and Hove City Council's procurement service, which covers procurement, contract management and commercial assurance across all services. The role sets strategy, strengthens governance and drives improvement, and gives advice on complex, high-value and high-risk decisions. It is a senior post working directly with elected Members and the Corporate Leadership Team, and is politically restricted. Interviews are scheduled for 9-11 November 2026.

What the job involves

• Lead the council's procurement, contract management and commercial assurance function
• Ensure a consistent and effective corporate approach across all services
• Strengthen governance and improve systems and processes
• Lead strategic procurement that secures high-quality, cost-effective and socially valuable outcomes
• Give expert advice on complex, high-value and high-risk procurement decisions
• Lead the service through change, stabilisation and development
• Keep the council's approach compliant, innovative and commercially effective as public procurement law changes
• Play a leading role in shaping the future of procurement across the organisation
• Work with Members, the Corporate Leadership Team and senior officers to support the Council Plan

Experience

• Strong track record in procurement or commercial leadership in a large, complex organisation
• Experience of developing and delivering procurement or commercial strategies
• Experience of leading and developing high-performing, inclusive teams
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders on complex, high-risk issues

Skills & knowledge

• Deep knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and best practice
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, translating strategy into delivery
• Effective communication with Members, senior officers, partners and suppliers
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and delivering social value through procurement

Checks & eligibility

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

What’s offered

• Flexible working and wellbeing support
• Leave and pension
• Training and continuous development
• Key role influencing corporate strategy and decision-making
• Opportunity to lead a service through transformation, innovation and improvement
• Collaborative and supportive senior leadership environment