Commercial Lead

On behalf of DWP , we are looking for a Commercial Lead for 5 months (until (31/03/27 ) (Inside IR35) contract based in Manchester, Newcastle or Blackpool 3 days per week

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. As such, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

Working with DWP, you will be helping us to drive our priorities to:

- Help people to move into work and support those already in work to progress, with the aim of increasing overall workforce participation
- Help people to plan and save for later life, while providing a safety net for those who need it now
- Provide effective, efficient, and innovative services to the millions of claimants who rely on us every day, including the most vulnerable in society
- Improve experience of our services while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

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.

This is a pivotal role for a commercially astute professional who combines strategic thinking with hands-on procurement delivery expertise . You will be responsible for shaping sourcing strategies, leading major software renewals and competitive procurements, negotiating with global technology vendors, and ensuring best value for money while balancing commercial risk, affordability and long-term organisational objectives .

Working closely with Digital, Technology, Finance, IT Asset Management (ITAM) and operational stakeholders, you will provide commercial leadership across a portfolio of enterprise software contracts and technology investments, influencing decisions at senior levels and driving successful procurement outcomes

As a Commercial Lead , your main responsibilities will be:

- 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.
- Challenge and validate business requirements to ensure procurement decisions are based on genuine organisational need and strategic priorities.
- Lead negotiations with strategic software providers and technology partners.
- Assess and manage commercial, contractual and supplier risks across the technology portfolio.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure procurement activity aligns with wider transformation and technology strategies.
- Produce high-quality commercial reports, recommendations and presentations for senior leaders and governance forums.
- Ensure all procurement activity complies with public sector procurement regulations, governance requirements and organisational policies.
- Support continuous improvement of commercial practices, sourcing approaches and supplier management frameworks.

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.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, DWP encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, DWP welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".