Commercial Lead
| Job Type | Contract |
| Location | London or Leeds/ Hybrid |
| Area | Uk-wide, UK |
| Sector | Procurement & Commercial |
| Salary | £750 Per Day |
| Start Date | October 9th, 2026 |
| Advertiser | Jack Latter |
| Job Ref | 7743-PSR1JP00105968 |
| IR35 | Inside |
| Security Clearance | DBS/DS |
- Description
- The Client:
A government client is looking for a Commercial Lead to join them on a 6 month contract. This position will be based in London or Leeds/ Hybrid.
Job Summary:
The client Commercial function supports procurement, contract management, supplier relationships and commercial assurance across the department, its agencies and arm’s-length bodies. The Digital & Technology portfolio enables major operational services and transformation through software, digital delivery and emerging technology markets.
Role purpose
The post-holder will lead workstream activity across the Digital & Technology portfolio. They will manage complex procurements and contracts from strategy through delivery, provide commercial advice and assurance, and support effective pipeline, supplier and stakeholder management. The role requires hands-on delivery alongside leadership of commercial colleagues and close coordination with the Grade 6 and wider leadership team.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end commercial activity for assigned digital and technology procurements and contracts, from early market engagement and sourcing strategy through award, mobilisation, management, change and exit.
- Develop and deliver a subcategory or workstream plan aligned to the wider strategy for software, digital delivery and emerging technology.
- Provide confident, practical advice on procurement routes, evaluation, negotiation, governance, contracting, risk, supplier performance and value for money.
- Manage a prioritised pipeline of requirements, agreeing delivery plans with stakeholders and maintaining accurate milestones, risks, dependencies and resource needs.
- Lead market and supplier engagement, using evidence and insight to strengthen competition, improve outcomes and support innovation and social value.
- Draft and assure high-quality commercial documentation, including strategies, business case content, evaluation materials, recommendations, approvals, contracts, change controls and senior briefings.
- Lead negotiations and resolve commercial issues in collaboration with legal, finance, project delivery, technical specialists and business owners.
- Apply robust contract management, including performance oversight, governance, financial control, change, risk, benefits and supplier improvement activity.
- Attend and present at governance forums, clearly articulating options, recommendations, delivery implications and commercial risk.
- Support portfolio reporting, demand management, continuous improvement and
- implementation of common commercial standards and ways of working.
Leadership and Relationships:
- Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and quality assurance to commercial colleagues assigned to the workstream or subcategory.
- Build collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders, project teams, suppliers and other commercial teams while providing appropriate challenge.
- Work as part of the Grade 7 leadership cohort, sharing capacity, insight and lessons learned across the portfolio.
- Escalate strategic, legal, financial or delivery risks that require Grade 6 or Deputy Director decision and support timely resolution.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Experience of delivering complex procurement and contract management activity within digital, technology or another complex commercial environment.
- Working knowledge of procurement legislation, commercial policy, governance, contracting, negotiation and supplier management.
- Experience of managing high-value or business-critical contracts and working with complex contractual, financial and legal issues.
- Ability to develop sourcing or category plans using market insight, stakeholder requirements and commercial analysis.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities, maintain delivery grip and produce accurate, high-quality outputs to deadline.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the confidence to challenge and advise senior colleagues.
- Clear written and verbal communication
Our Company:
Malikshaw Interim & Executive is a specialist provider of talent management solutions helping our clients transform the delivery of our public services. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we combine providing the best talent with delivering diverse, inclusive workforces and particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.
How to Apply:
Please apply through the link provided to send your application directly to the Recruiter managing this assignment.
Disability Confident:
As a member of the disability confident scheme, the Client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Armed Forces Covenant:
As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Client guarantees to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
If you qualify for any of the above, please notify us on your covering letter and your recruiter will confirm if the client is a member. We will then be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.
Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let me know.
- Lead end-to-end commercial activity for assigned digital and technology procurements and contracts, from early market engagement and sourcing strategy through award, mobilisation, management, change and exit.
