Commercial Lead

Role: Commercial Lead Contract Length: 6 Months Location: London or Leeds- Hybrid (2/3 days/week on site) IR35: Inside Rate: £750/day (Umbrella) 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. 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 communicate To apply for this role please submit your latest CV or contact Aspect Resources on (phone number removed) Disability Confident As a Disability Confident employer, CLIENT encourages applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates. Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet  the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high,  additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance. Armed Forces Covenant As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, CLIENT welcomes applications from veterans, service  leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet  the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance. To apply for this role please submit your latest CV or contact Aspect Resources on (phone number removed)