Head of Service - Commercial Infrastructure

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC); Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) is seeking a Head of Service - Commercial Infrastructure to lead a high-performing team in delivering effective commercial outcomes. This hybrid role requires a hands-on leader who can balance strategic and day-to-day operations, ensuring procurement excellence and effective supplier management.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing a small team in a commercial environment.
• Track record of leading high-value procurement.
• Strong experience in negotiating commercial deals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a small commercial team.
• Oversee procurement, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
• Drive change and improve commercial strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Procurement

Contract Management

Team Development

Education

MCIPS qualification or equivalent public procurement experience

Job description

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC)

Head of Service - Commercial Infrastructure

Salary: £81,688

Location: Lincoln (Hybrid / 1-2 days per week in the office)

Delivering Commercial Excellence for Lincolnshire

Are you a commercial leader who thrives on driving real results; not just setting strategy, but rolling up your sleeves and leading a team to deliver?

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) is looking for a Head of Service - Commercial Infrastructure to lead a small, high-performing commercial team, taking ownership of high-value procurement, supplier negotiations, and contract management across LCC’s infrastructure spend.

This is not a back-office, policy-focused role. You must be a hands-on leader who can develop and manage a team, build commercial capability, and ensure that contracts deliver real value. You’ll need to balance big-picture strategic thinking with the ability to personally drive day-to-day commercial delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a small commercial team, ensuring they develop expertise and deliver results.
• Take ownership of commercial activity, leading procurement, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
• Deliver efficiencies and savings, ensuring LCC gets the best commercial outcomes.
• Strengthen supplier and contract management, driving performance improvements and risk mitigation.
• Be hands-on - coaching, developing, and holding your team accountable for high standards.
• Drive change, improving LCC’s commercial approach while embedding best practice.

Who Should Apply?

We are looking for an experienced people manager with:

• Proven experience leading and developing a small team in a commercial environment.
• A track record of leading high-value procurement and contract management.
• Strong experience negotiating commercial deals, mitigating risks, and driving efficiencies.
• Hands-on leadership skills; you must enjoy managing people directly, not just overseeing strategy.
• The ability to balance big-picture commercial thinking with day-to-day operational leadership.

A MCIPS qualification (or equivalent public procurement experience) is highly desirable. This role requires hands-on leadership experience—if you’re looking for a purely strategic position without direct team management, this may not be the right fit.

Why Join Us?

This is a role for someone who wants to make an impact and take ownership. You will have the freedom to shape LCC’s commercial strategy while being on the ground, actively leading your team. The role offers a hybrid working model, with flexibility to work remotely while ensuring a hands-on presence in Lincoln (1-2 days per week) to support your team and stakeholders.

If you’re ready to lead, manage, and deliver real commercial results, we want to hear from you. Apply today and take ownership of Lincolnshire’s commercial future.

FurtherdetailspleaseclickonApplyandcontactGaryEvans(07809195593)orAlfredLeigh(07881824205)ofGatenbySanderson.

Closing date is 10am Friday 27 June 2025