Senior Commercial and Procurement Lead

We are currently recruiting for a Permanent contract. Hybrid Working: This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Edinburgh hub (approximately monthly). We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy. Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements. The starting salary is £54,055.

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of 7 July 2026.

Purpose of the job

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel but working closely with senior managers and other colleagues across the organisation, the Senior Commercial and Procurement Lead is responsible for developing and maintaining the organisational procurement framework, overseeing effective procurement and contract management across the organisation, driving through efficiencies in all third-party contracts and maximising commercial revenue streams. The role is the professional lead on all procurement and third-party contract and relationship management matters, supporting and advising colleagues through each stage of a contract’s life cycle. The post holder provides professional guidance on complex and significant procurement and/or renegotiation exercises, including helping to develop effective specifications and evaluation criteria and taking a lead role in negotiations with preferred suppliers, working closely with service managers and legal staff to ensure that contracts deliver value for money and positive outcomes. The role is also responsible for supporting colleagues across the organisation with pricing and negotiating commercial revenue streams to ensure that income potential is maximised.

Principal Accountabilities

• Strategic Sourcing and Procurement – develop and implement sourcing strategies, manage vendor relationships, and oversee the full procurement lifecycle.
• Commercial Contract Management – support the Legal team with the negotiation of complex contracts to ensure robust service delivery metrics, increased value for money, and reduced risk exposure.
• Commercial Revenue Streams – work closely with business owners to ensure all commercial revenue streams deliver maximum income levels and identify ways to diversify and enhance commercial income.
• Procurement Framework – maintain and develop the procurement and contract management framework, policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms, to ensure that they are achieving a good balance between agility and control. Maintain the contracts register.
• Risk Mitigation and Compliance – work with the Risk Team to ensure procurement practices are compliant with legal and governance requirements, including full due diligence and risk assessments of key suppliers.
• Efficiency Programme – create a rolling programme of opportunities for achieving cost and/or efficiency savings and/or improved outcomes in both planned and existing contractual arrangements.
• Training and Support – ensure that all relevant colleagues have access to relevant training and skills development programmes and have access to advice and support on all their procurement and contract management needs.
• Other – such other duties as from time to time may be allocated commensurate with the overall job purpose and grading of the role.

Main contacts

Internal: Senior Legal Counsel, Senior Managers and Budget Holders, Legal colleagues, Risk colleagues

External: Third-party suppliers and vendors, Contract negotiation counterparties

Decision making and complexity

The post holder works closely with the Senior Legal Counsel and service managers, exercising professional autonomy in leading procurement and contract management activities across the organisation. They take a lead role in negotiations with suppliers and are responsible for making recommendations on sourcing strategies, contract terms and efficiency programmes, referring matters with significant financial or legal implications to the Senior Legal Counsel as appropriate. The role requires the ability to balance competing organisational priorities across a varied portfolio – managing the procurement framework, overseeing active contract negotiations, and supporting colleagues with commercial pricing decisions simultaneously. The post holder must exercise sound judgement in assessing supplier risk, compliance requirements and value for money, and must communicate complex commercial and contractual information clearly to non-specialist stakeholders at all levels.

Essential Knowledge and experience

• Commercial acumen – in-depth knowledge of contract negotiation, sourcing and cost control.
• Experience of working in a similar role in a complex organisation.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures and good practice relevant to procurement, contract and relationship management.
• Experience of driving up commercial revenue streams.
• Experience of planning and participation in contract negotiations or reviews, contract management and/or new procurement exercises.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, influencing and team-working skills.

Desirable

• A contract management or procurement qualification.
• Experience of developing organisational-level policies and procedures.
• Experience of writing and presenting reports to management teams, audit committees and similar meetings.

Alternative format and adjustments

Please Email The HR Team If You Require any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process. Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions. You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

The IFoA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds and experience and welcomes diversity with regard not only to protected characteristics but also diversity of thought. Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words for us. That’s why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels included and respected, and where no one is unfairly discriminated against. Consequently, we promote diversity, equity and inclusion in all our policies, practices and procedures, and actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. All applications for our roles are considered on merit alone, and if you don’t meet all the criteria but believe you have something to offer, we want to hear from you.