Associate Governance and Assurance Lead, Commercial and Procurement Services DEPT CC

Associate Governance and Assurance Lead

Permanent

Grade D - £45,091 – £53,460

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Equal Pay Programme

Working 36.5 hours per week

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Associate Governance and Assurance Lead

Use your procurement expertise to strengthen commercial governance and assurance

Are you a procurement specialist with experience in strengthening procurement governance, managing commercial risk, and providing assurance across complex procurement activity?

Do you understand procurement legislation, have strong commercial judgement and enjoy ensuring that procurement decisions are compliant, commercially sound and deliver value for money?

Birmingham City Council is looking for an Associate Governance and Assurance Lead to join our newly established Commercial and Procurement Services (CPS).

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with practical experience in commercial procurement, procurement governance or procurement‑focused contract management to help strengthen the Council's approach to governance, compliance and commercial assurance.

You’ll work closely with procurement professionals, commercial teams and key stakeholders to review procurement activity, assess commercial and contractual risks, strengthen controls and ensure decisions are supported by robust governance arrangements.

Whether you’re already working in procurement governance or have a commercial procurement background and are looking to develop your expertise in assurance, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact within one of the UK’s largest local authorities.

About the Role

As an Associate Governance and Assurance Lead, you’ll help ensure procurement activity is compliant, commercially viable, appropriately risk assessed and supported by effective governance processes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the development, implementation and continuous improvement of procurement and commercial governance frameworks, processes and controls, ensuring alignment with legislation and Council policies.
• Reviewing procurement business cases, sourcing strategies, contract award reports and commercial documentation to assess compliance, contractual obligations, commercial risks and value for money.
• Providing practical advice and guidance to procurement colleagues and budget holders on procurement legislation, governance requirements, assurance processes and commercial best practice.
• Identifying and assessing procurement, financial, operational and contractual risks, recommending proportionate controls and escalating significant concerns where appropriate.
• Coordinating procurement assurance activities, governance reviews and reporting requirements, ensuring appropriate checks, approvals and documentation are completed to a high standard.
• Working collaboratively with Procurement, Finance and operational stakeholders to support informed commercial decisions, strengthen compliance and improve procurement outcomes.
• Developing guidance and supporting team members to improve governance processes, strengthen controls and embed continuous improvement through assurance findings and lessons learned.

About You

We’re looking for someone who combines practical procurement knowledge with strong commercial awareness, sound judgement and an understanding of how effective governance supports successful procurement outcomes.

You’ll bring:

• Experience working in commercial procurement, procurement governance, procurement assurance or procurement‑focused contract management, with a good understanding of the end‑to‑end procurement lifecycle.
• A sound understanding of procurement legislation, commercial governanceframeworks and compliance requirements, including their application to tendering, sourcing, contract awards and procurement decision‑making.
• Experience reviewing procurement or commercial documentation, assessing contractual obligations, identifying commercial risks and supporting compliant, value‑for‑money decisions.
• Strong commercial judgement and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate financial, operational and contractual risks and make clear, practical recommendations.
• Experience supporting governance, assurance, compliance or risk management processes specifically within a procurement or commercial environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to provide advice, constructively challenge decisions and work collaboratively with procurement professionals and senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement, alongside a willingness to work towards a Level 5 CIPS Diploma if not already achieved.

Importantly, this is a procurement and commercial governance role rather than a general corporate governance position.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate practical knowledge of procurement processes, commercial procurement activity or procurement‑related assurance and compliance.

Why Join Us?

At Birmingham City Council, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape a modern procurement governance and assurance function within one of Europe’s largest local authorities.

You’ll be joining Commercial and Procurement Services at an exciting stage of its development, helping strengthen the processes, controls and commercial decision‑making that underpin the delivery of essential public services.

In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to influence procurement governance and commercial assurance across a large, diverse and complex organisation.
• A collaborative and forward‑thinking team committed to building a modern, effective procurement function.
• Opportunities to develop your expertise in procurement legislation, commercial governance, contract risk management and assurance.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where service needs allow.
• A competitive Local Government Pension Scheme and generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to a wide range of employee wellbeing initiatives, learning opportunities and staff benefits.
• A rewarding career where your expertise will help protect public resources, strengthen commercial decisions and deliver better outcomes for Birmingham’s residents.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, andwe arecommitted to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Job Description and PersonSpecification - RM-00137526-Associate Governance and Assurance Lead-Job Description.pdf

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