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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives in property management and provide expert advice during transformation.
- Company: Birmingham City Council, committed to public service and community development.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and the chance to influence change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while leading significant projects.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in property management and public sector procurement.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and transformative setting.
We are recruiting an Interim Category Lead (Property) for Birmingham City Council. This is a senior interim leadership role, providing stability, assurance, and trusted commercial advice during a period of organisational transformation. The role focuses on leading a major and complex category area with an equal balance across:
- Strategic leadership of the Property category, ensuring effective planning, delivery, and value for money
- Providing senior-level advice and challenge to stakeholders during change and transformation
- Oversight of governance, assurance, and compliance within a regulated public sector environment
- Leading and supporting procurement teams to maintain performance and confidence
Essential Experience
Significant experience in one or more of the following areas is required:
- Property and/or Housing
- Hard or Soft Facilities Management
- PFI / complex contractual arrangements
You must also have recent experience working within a Local Authority or regulated public sector environment, with strong knowledge of:
- Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015)
- Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) – completion of the 10-module PA23 training is expected
The Ideal Candidate
- A proven senior procurement leader with strong category credibility
- Comfortable operating at pace in a complex, political, and regulated environment
- Able to bring calm, stability, and assurance during periods of change
- Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and elected members
How to Apply
If you have the relevant experience and are interested in this opportunity, please apply with your most up-to-date CV. A member of the team will be in touch to discuss the role in more detail.
Category Lead - Property employer: Venn Group
Contact Detail:
Venn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead - Property
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property and public sector. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Birmingham City Council and their recent projects. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to articulate your experience in property and procurement clearly and confidently. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your delivery and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead - Property
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Category Lead (Property). Highlight your experience in property management and procurement, especially within a local authority or regulated environment. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When writing your application, focus on showcasing your significant experience in areas like PFI or complex contractual arrangements. We’re looking for someone who can bring stability and assurance, so don’t hold back on sharing your achievements in these areas.
Engage with Stakeholders: Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, make sure to mention any relevant experiences where you’ve successfully navigated complex political environments. We want to know how you’ve provided trusted commercial advice in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get in touch. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Birmingham City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the rules, but that you can navigate them effectively in a public sector environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led procurement teams or managed complex categories in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to provide stability and assurance during periods of change.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss your experience engaging with senior stakeholders and elected members. Prepare to share how you've built relationships and provided trusted commercial advice in previous roles. This is key for a role that requires strong stakeholder management.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Given the fast-paced and political nature of this role, think of scenarios where you've maintained composure during challenging situations. Highlighting your ability to bring calm and stability will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a leader in transformation.
