Senior Officer, Procurement (FCS108)

Arts Council England; Manchester; Hybride; GBP 37 000 - 46 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Final salary pension scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Résumé du poste

Arts Council England in Manchester is seeking a Senior Officer, Procurement to join the Finance team. The role focuses on securing goods and services with compliance, diversity, and sustainability at the core, up to a £2m value.

You will advise budget holders, navigate PCR2015 and the Procurement Act 2023, and drive Value for Money across tender exercises. The post offers 35 hours per week, permanent contract, and hybrid working with on-site days.

Qualifications

• Experience in public sector procurement or similar.
• Understanding of PCR2015 and Procurement Act 2023.
• Familiarity with e-procurement systems (Delta) and MS Excel.

Responsabilités

• Provide expert procurement advice to minimise risks and ensure compliance.
• Assist with ITT documentation and manage tender processes.
• Support budget holders with framework agreements and contract implementation.
• Collate management information and prepare expenditure reports.
• Promote internal procurement policies reflecting diversity, social value, and sustainability.
• Deliver training and share best practices with staff.

Connaissances

Public procurement experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project management

Risk management

Formation

CIPS qualification (in progress)

Outils

Delta e-procurement

Excel

Description du poste

Contract: Permanent, working 35 hours per week (Arts Council also recognises the benefit of flexible working as a valued part of the way we work, and welcome applications from individuals who require flexibility)

Salary: £41,369 per annum Grade C plus benefits including a final salary pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible and hybrid working.

Location: Manchester ( The role will be based in Manchester; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1-2 days a week)

Are you a procurement professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the arts and culture sector?

We are looking for a Senior Officer, Procurement to join our Finance team at The Hive in Manchester. In this vital role, you will work closely with the Head of Procurement to ensure the effective procurement of goods and services while upholding compliance, diversity, and sustainability across the organisation.

As a key advisor to budget holders and managers, you will help navigate public procurement regulations, mitigate risks, and champion Value for Money (VFM) in all our activities. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of procurement projects and tender exercises up to a value of £2m.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert procurement advice and guidance across the organisation to minimise legal and compliance risks.
• Assist with the preparation of Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation and manage tender processes.
• Support budget holders in utilising framework agreements (such as Government Commercial Agency) and implementing organisation-wide contracts.
• Collate management information and prepare expenditure reports to drive efficiency.
• Implement and promote internal procurement policies that reflect our commitment to diversity, social value, and sustainability.
• Deliver training and share best practices with staff at all levels.

What We Are Looking For:

• Proven experience working within a procurement function for a similarly sized organisation.
• Professional experience in public procurement, ideally working towards a professional qualification such as CIPS.
• Thorough knowledge of Public Contract Regulations (PCR2015) and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Practical knowledge of e-procurement systems (e.g., Delta) and proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects with limited direction.
• A good understanding of our duty as a public body under current diversity legislation and the broader diversity agenda.
• An awareness of the risks and benefits of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public procurement.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement: Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.

We participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme. The scheme uses the definition of disability from the Equality Act 2010 to determine eligibility. More information is included in the application guidance.

About us: Arts Council offers a range of benefits to our employees including hybrid and flexible working, a generous annual leave allowance and the Arts Council Retirement Plan - a final salary scheme. To find out more, click here .

Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact [e-mail]

Job ref: FCS108

1 st Interviews: (Virtual) W/C 07 December 2026

2 nd Interviews: (In-person at the Manchester office) W/C 14 December 2026