At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic supplier relationships and oversee major technology contracts for Parliament.
- Company: Join the Parliamentary Digital Service, shaping the future of digital democracy.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30-35 days annual leave, generous maternity pay, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital transformation in a historic institution.
- Qualifications: Experience with enterprise-level digital contracts and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Parliamentary Digital Service is seeking a senior commercial and supplier management leader to oversee Parliament's most strategic digital supplier relationships and major technology contracts. Working closely with senior leaders across Parliament, you will help shape and mature Parliament's approach to outsourced digital services, commercial governance and supplier management, ensuring contracts deliver long-term value, innovation and excellent customer outcomes.
A key initial focus will be leading strategic engagement around the upcoming End User Services re-procurement programme, worth up to £30m, helping to transform Parliament's digital service offering and user experience. You will also support the development of collaborative supplier partnerships, strengthen commercial governance across enterprise-scale agreements, and drive value for money across Parliament's digital estate.
This role requires strong commercial acumen, market insight, stakeholder management and experience navigating complex digital and technology environments. You will play a critical role in influencing strategic decision-making, improving supplier performance and supporting Parliament's wider digital transformation ambitions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Parliament and effectively engage and build robust relationships with senior stakeholders across the Parliamentary landscape to secure appropriate business engagement on the strategic direction for the digital and technology services roadmap and delivery plan.
- Provide deep technology specialism, be fluent in technology contracts and have good commercial understanding of the way that suppliers and contracts work and engage with commercial specialists.
- Produce robust governance, delivery frameworks and methodology for the selection, preparation and acceptance of work packages for outsourced delivery by selected third-party providers.
- Establish key controls to ensure Parliament effectively manages the main services for digital services relied on by the two Houses, with regard to the needs of all key stakeholders.
What You Need:
- Conducting complex scoping and demand qualification exercises advising on the optimal blend of services to deliver best value for money to Parliament.
- Extensive experience of enterprise-level digital contracts (i.e. Microsoft Enterprise Subscription (ESA/SPA), Cisco Enterprise Agreement (EA) and Server Cloud Enrolment (SCE) agreement) to leverage commercial benefit for Parliament and stem value leakage from existing contracts.
- Develop contract strategies and supplier relationships to deliver high quality, efficient and cost-effective services. You use your understanding of technology market trends, contracts, and suppliers, to adopt a range of methods for delivery.
- Lead investigative work into commercial challenges and opportunities creating recommendations and driving continuous improvements to improve commercial outcomes.
- Strong stakeholder management to translate business requirements and user needs into effective action and practical solutions. You build effective relationships with your suppliers, balancing collaboration with competitive tension, and understand the alignments and conflicts between our organisational priorities and goals.
- Excellent communication skills to engage with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way. You explain complex issues in a way that is persuasive and easy to understand, and deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity.
Desirable: The applicant should hold, or be willing to work toward attaining, the 'World Commercial and Contracting Management Advanced Practitioner Certificate'. The ability to pass security clearance, backed by the right to work in the UK.
About The Team:
The Strategic Supplier Lead (digital contracts) is a vital new role in the Chief Technology Officer Group (CTOG), this group sets the strategic direction for Technology in Parliament. As subject matter expert on technology and emerging digital markets you will lead on driving performance and leveraging better value for money for PDS and both Houses from third-party providers.
About Us:
UK Parliament is steeped in history and tradition. It is an important part of UK life and we need to ensure as many people as possible can engage with its work. This is why we are at the start of a huge transformation programme powered by technology. The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) works with the House of Commons and the House of Lords with all their IT and digital needs. We are here to realise the digital ambitions of a modern Parliament and welcome you to join us in building a digital democracy.
Our Package:
In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to: generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 days in addition to bank holidays, generous maternity pay policy up to 6 months full pay, enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%, on-site gym, nursery, catering, post office, travel office and GP, flexible options including hybrid working and family friendly policies.
How To Apply:
Please make sure you're clear on the requirements of the role. These can be found in the Job Description and Candidate Information Pack. You will need to upload a CV and show how you meet up to the first five criteria. Our application process is anonymous, so please remove any personal information from your CV.
Apply By: 25th May 2026 at 23:55. Interviews: 2nd / 3rd June 2026. Format: Presentation + Panel Interview (On-Site).
Our Culture:
For our people, we provide an amazing opportunity to bring their talents to an institution that sits right at the heart of society in the UK. We are helping to change UK Parliament and strengthen democracy. What matters here is your potential for growth and your commitment to playing your part in our ongoing success. We are passionate about providing an environment which promotes inclusion, diversity and equality. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any of the other things that make you, you. We welcome applications from people who feel under-represented in the workforce. This includes those who may feel disadvantaged because of their socioeconomic circumstances.
Strategic Supplier Lead employer: PARLIAMENTARY DIGITAL SERVICE
Contact Detail:
PARLIAMENTARY DIGITAL SERVICE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Supplier Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Parliament or digital services. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the Parliamentary Digital Service and understand their current projects and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around supplier management and digital transformation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work with digital contracts and supplier relationships to the table. Be ready to discuss how you’ve driven value and improved outcomes in previous roles – this will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at the Parliamentary Digital Service. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Supplier Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role Inside Out: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Strategic Supplier Lead role is all about. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill.
Showcase Your Experience: When you're crafting your CV, focus on your past experiences that align with the requirements. Use specific examples of how you've managed supplier relationships or handled digital contracts. We want to see your commercial acumen in action!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. Remember, we’re looking for clarity in communication, so make sure your application reflects that by being easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, especially regarding anonymity.
How to prepare for a job interview at PARLIAMENTARY DIGITAL SERVICE
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the digital contracts and technology markets relevant to the role. Brush up on enterprise-level agreements like Microsoft and Cisco, as well as current trends in supplier management. This will help you speak confidently about how you can leverage these contracts for Parliament's benefit.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships with senior stakeholders across Parliament. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully navigated complex environments and translated business needs into actionable solutions. This will show that you can effectively manage stakeholder expectations.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Practice explaining complex issues in a clear and engaging way. You might be asked to present during the interview, so prepare a concise presentation that highlights your approach to supplier management and governance frameworks. Remember, clarity and enthusiasm go a long way!
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to discuss your experience with developing contract strategies and managing supplier relationships. Think of specific examples where you've driven value for money and improved commercial outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to Parliament's digital transformation ambitions.