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- Tasks: Lead innovative procurement programmes and provide expert guidance to public authorities.
- Company: Join Connected Places Catapult, a leader in innovation procurement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public procurement and support diverse suppliers.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation procurement and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 51395 - 62013 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 11 May 2026
Department: Built Environment & Local Growth
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London and Milton Keynes
Reporting To: Head of Regional and Local Growth Technical
Compensation: £51,395 - £62,013 / year
Contract type/Duration: Permanent
Working hours: Full time
Band: 3.1
Salary: £51,395 to £62,013 (depending on office location and proven ability)
Closing date: 10am 11th of May 2026
The Role
Connected Places Catapult leads the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), which helps public authorities and commercial buyers use procurement spend to unlock better outcomes, drive more diverse and localised supply chains, and provide an order book for high‑potential businesses with the public sector as the first customer. Through tailored support programmes, thought leadership and partnerships, IPEC is shaping a new standard for procurement practice under the Procurement Act 2023.
We are recruiting a senior consultant to lead IPEC work programmes and provide hands‑on technical procurement expertise across innovation procurement. This is not a generalist role. We need someone who has designed and run live procurement processes, combined with innovation expertise – who understands the end‑to‑end lifecycle from preliminary market engagement through to contract award and can advise buyers with the authority that comes from having delivered outcome‑based innovation programmes.
You will help design and deliver skills programmes that build procurement confidence and capability across public and, sometimes, private sector partners. You will work with contracting authorities and commercial buyers to shape challenge briefs, design routes to market, and set conditions of participation that open markets to SMEs and new entrants rather than locking them out. You will know where the Procurement Act creates genuine flexibility – refining award criteria between stages, integrating dialogue into multi‑stage processes, using preliminary market engagement to develop supply chains – and where equal treatment and proportionality still apply.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience across innovation procurement approaches such as Contracts for Innovation, pre‑commercial procurement, innovation partnerships or dynamic purchasing systems – and who understand how to bridge the gap between R&D‑funded demonstrators and mainstream contract pipelines. You will also be expected to grow the IPEC community and network, and identify and secure commercial opportunities for the programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Shape, lead and deliver value through successful delivery of programmes designed to upskill and provide technical guidance to partners (internal and external)
- Lead stakeholder management and relationship building at senior levels to ensure buy in, in particular into IPEC’s cohort programme for effective innovation delivery
- Lead pre‑market procurement engagement activities with public sector and industry partners scouting for diverse suppliers including high‑growth potential companies
- Support partner public authorities to successfully scale innovative solutions after contract award
- Effectively focus on creating more impact and generating value
Senior Consultant (Innovation Procurement) in London employer: Connected Places Catapult
Contact Detail:
Connected Places Catapult Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Consultant (Innovation Procurement) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to innovation procurement and think of how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work in innovation procurement to the table. We love seeing how you’ve tackled challenges and delivered results. It’s all about demonstrating your value to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who can contribute to our mission. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Consultant (Innovation Procurement) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Consultant role. Highlight your experience in innovation procurement and any specific projects that align with our mission at StudySmarter. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Expertise: We want to see your hands-on experience in designing and running procurement processes. Use examples that demonstrate your knowledge of the end-to-end lifecycle and how you've successfully delivered outcome-based innovation programmes. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and skills. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your passion for innovation procurement comes through.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of all applications. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connected Places Catapult
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of innovation procurement, especially the end-to-end lifecycle from market engagement to contract award. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully designed and run procurement processes.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role involves a lot of relationship building, so think about how you can demonstrate your ability to manage stakeholders at senior levels. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your experience in gaining buy-in for innovative projects and how you’ve navigated complex stakeholder landscapes.
✨Understand the Procurement Act 2023
Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of the Procurement Act 2023, especially how it allows for flexibility in award criteria and multi-stage processes. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios to create value and impact.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in innovation procurement. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, particularly in terms of engaging diverse suppliers and scaling innovative solutions.