Head of Procurement - The R&A

About The R&A

The R&A is the leading body operating right at the heart of the world of golf, and we are passionate about engaging and supporting activities to ensure that golf is a thriving sport for all. The R&A group of companies was formed in 2004 and took on The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ responsibilities for governing the Rules of Golf, staging The Open, golf’s original championship, and developing the sport.

The Opportunity

The R&A is seeking a Head of Procurement to establish a Procurement function which will partner effectively with the wider business to deliver commercial value and enhanced category management across recurring spend. Operating within a high-profile environment, the organisation is evolving from a decentralised purchasing approach to a centralised, strategic procurement function within Finance. The role covers a diverse range of spend categories, including event operations, transport and logistics, as well as corporate services such as technology and facilities management.

Starting as a standalone role, you will establish procurement's value across the business, with the opportunity to grow and expand the team as the function matures. With an annual cost base of c.£150m, you will be responsible for improving efficiency across a range of spend categories; executing against a targeted supplier planning and renegotiation strategy; and delivering structured sourcing programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Operationalise the newly designed procurement framework, ensuring governance, policy and processes are integrated while still supporting the organisation's need for agility.
• Drive opportunities to define and deliver commercial value while focusing on risk mitigation, service quality and long-term business outcomes.
• Act as business partner to functional heads who have historically managed their own spend, building a strong understanding of business needs and quality expectations. Supporting a transition from "buying" to "strategic sourcing" through influence, not just mandate.
• Develop flexible Procurement strategies that account for the geographical shifts of the championship calendar, ensuring continuity of delivery, standards and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the commercial bridge between Finance and Legal teams, aligning with corporate budgeting and forecasting needs, while also ensuring all third-party engagements are managed in parallel with the Legal function.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities including supplier relationships and contract performance, negotiating terms, monitoring KPIs and promoting consistent, effective delivery.
• Maintain robust procurement data, governance, and reporting, providing insights to leadership and ensuring transparency under regulatory frameworks.

Category Focus

• Lead sourcing strategy, tendering, negotiation and contracting across the most material categories, including:
• Marketing
• Technology
• Facilities
• Professional services
• Event Operations
• Event Transport & Logistics

Candidate Skills and Experience:

• Experience in establishing, managing or significantly evolving a procurement function.
• Demonstrable experience in a suitable breadth of the procurement categories outlined is essential.
• Experience in running Procurement indirect spend categories.
• Proven track record in commercial and contract management negotiation and achieving value for money.
• A background in major event delivery is preferred.
• A knowledge and understanding of the golf or sports business is preferred.
• High proficiency in managing multi-workstream sourcing projects with a clear eye on critical paths and project management to fixed timelines.
• As the sole procurement role initially, you must be comfortable switching between higher-level business partnering and "hands-on" execution.
• An ability to see the "business outcome" behind the contract ensuring that procurement enables, rather than hinders, world-class championship delivery.
• Experience engaging and influencing senior executives and board-level stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex procurement matters clearly.
• An understanding of key contractual clauses (e.g., indemnities, limitations of liability, termination rights, and force majeure) and the ability to address commercial risks and identify legal risks inherent in complex sporting and broadcasting agreements.
• Professional procurement qualification (e.g., MCIPS or equivalent) or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Strong IT literacy, ethical standards, and the ability to perform under pressure while fostering collaboration and trust.

The R&A Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Discretionary, Performance-Related Bonus Scheme up to 5%
• Company Pension Scheme and Sick Pay
• Life Insurance Cover
• Meals, snacks and refreshments while on duty
• Enhanced Maternity/Partner Pay
• 35 Days Holiday Per Year
• Free tickets to The Open and AIG Women's Open each year (and other relevant R&A Championships)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Contribution towards glasses for VDU use
• Discounts available across 800 UK retailers and local businesses
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme