Commercial Manager

Please only apply if located in one of the following locations and able to work on site – Manchester/Newcastle/Blackpool – hybrid, 60% in clients Hub / 40% home working

We are seeking an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to lead the commercial strategy and delivery of complex, high-value software and technology procurements within a large public sector environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the commercial strategy for complex software and technology procurements, renewals and contract negotiations.
• Develop sourcing strategies, route-to-market approaches and commercial recommendations that deliver value for money and support organisational objectives.
• Manage end-to-end procurement activities from business case development and market engagement through to contract award and implementation.
• Create and maintain competitive tension within supplier negotiations to secure optimal commercial outcomes.
• Draft and manage procurement documentation, tender materials, commercial models, evaluation criteria and contract schedules.
• Analyse supplier proposals, pricing structures, licensing models and commercial responses to support robust decision-making.
• Provide commercial leadership and advice on enterprise software licensing, subscriptions, support arrangements and consumption-based commercial models.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across Digital, Technology, Finance, Procurement and IT Asset Management functions.

Essential:

• Extensive public sector commercial and procurement experience gained within a large, complex organisation, government department, arm’s-length body or regulated environment.
• Proven experience leading high-value, strategically important software, technology and digital procurements from inception through to contract award.
• Strong commercial expertise across enterprise software markets, including major vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Informatica and Flexera.
• Deep understanding of software licensing models, SaaS and cloud-based services, subscription agreements, software support arrangements and enterprise renewals.
• Demonstrable experience developing sourcing strategies, route-to-market approaches and negotiation strategies that deliver value for money and strong commercial outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement governance, commercial best practice and procurement lifecycle management.
• Significant experience leading competitive tendering exercises, supplier negotiations, commercial evaluations and contract awards.
• Proven ability to analyse complex commercial proposals, assess risk and negotiate favourable contractual and financial outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior leaders, Digital, Technology, Finance, ITAM and supplier organisations.
• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance business requirements, affordability, risk and long-term strategic objectives.
• Highly organised, analytical and capable of managing multiple priorities within fast-paced and complex environments.
• Strong communication, presentation and report-writing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and provide robust commercial advice.
• Self-motivated and delivery-focused, with the ability to work independently, take ownership and drive procurements through to successful completion

Desirable:

• Experience supporting large-scale digital transformation programmes, enterprise technology initiatives and complex software renewals.
• Knowledge of Software Asset Management (SAM), IT Asset Management (ITAM), cloud procurement frameworks and digital sourcing strategies.
• Experience working with Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks, government procurement routes and large public sector organisations.
• MCIPS qualified (or equivalent) with an understanding of technology architecture, supplier relationship management and category management best practice.

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