Major Procurement Programme and Projects Lead

Major Procurement Programme and Projects Lead

Permanent

Grade 6 - £54,495- £64,811

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Lead procurement for Birmingham's most significant investment programmes

Are you a senior procurement professional with experience delivering complex, high-value programmes? Birmingham City Council is looking for a Major Procurement Programme and Projects Lead to join our newly established Commercial and Procurement Service.

This is a unique opportunity to lead procurement for some of the Council's most significant investment programmes, helping to shape the future of Birmingham through innovative, compliant and commercially robust procurement. You'll develop procurement strategies, lead complex commercial negotiations and manage a specialist team delivering procurement that maximises value, manages risk and supports the Council's long-term ambitions.

About the Role

• Leading the end-to-end procurement of high-value investment projects, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, governance requirements and commercial best practice.
• Developing procurement strategies that respond to market conditions, encourage innovation, reduce risk and deliver long-term value for money.
• Acting as the commercial lead for major programmes, providing expert advice to project boards, senior leaders and stakeholders throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Leading complex procurement exercises, including negotiations, structured dialogue and commercial discussions that deliver successful outcomes for the Council.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partners to support effective programme delivery and long-term commercial success.
• Using market intelligence, commercial data and supplier insight to inform strategic decision‑making, contract performance and benefits realisation.
• Leading, developing and mentoring a specialist procurement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and commercial excellence.

About You

We're looking for an experienced procurement leader with exceptional commercial judgement and the ability to influence at senior levels. You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading procurement for complex, high-value programmes or capital projects within a regulated procurement environment.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and commercial assurance, with experience managing procurement risk and delivering compliant outcomes.
• Experience leading complex negotiations, supplier engagement and commercial discussions that deliver sustainable value for money.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently with senior leaders, project boards and strategic suppliers.
• Strong analytical skills, using commercial intelligence, market insight and performance data to shape procurement strategy and improve outcomes.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing procurement teams through coaching, performance management and professional development.
• A Level 6 CIPS Diploma (or equivalent professional expertise), or a commitment to work towards the qualification.

Why Join Us?

At Birmingham City Council, you'll have the opportunity to influence some of the most significant procurement programmes in local government, helping deliver major investment that benefits Birmingham for generations to come. In return, we offer:

• A senior leadership role delivering procurement across high-profile, strategically important investment programmes.
• The opportunity to shape commercial strategy and influence major decisions across one of Europe's largest local authorities.
• A collaborative, ambitious and forward‑thinking Commercial and Procurement Service committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
• Opportunities to further develop your leadership, commercial and strategic procurement expertise through ongoing professional development.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where service needs allow.
• A competitive Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement and comprehensive employee benefits package.
• A rewarding career where your leadership will help deliver outstanding public value, strengthen commercial capability and improve outcomes for Birmingham's residents.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will use positive action to support us to achieve diverse shortlists. This may mean that recruitment times are a little longer, but we think this is worth it to achieve our aim.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, andwe arecommitted to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

For any informal enquires please contact:Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk

RM-00137107-Major Procurement Programme and Projects Lead -Job Description.pdf