Please note, we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Closing date: 22 March 2026 Interview dates: 07 and 08 April 2026 Make a difference, join our team. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation full of passionate, committed people. We make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. We work closely with people to understand where, how and why public services sometimes fall short and fail to put people first. And we find ways to put it right. Based in the centre of Manchester, we employ over 600 individuals, collaboratively working together to make voices heard. We have created a diverse and inclusive culture, whilst offering flexibility to give you the autonomy to work in the best way suited to you. The role: The Head of Commercial leads the organisation’s commercial and procurement function, setting strategic direction and ensuring procurement, contract management and supplier engagement are effective, compliant and focused on delivering value for money. The role shapes how the organisation works with markets, manages commercial risk and applies best practice across the full commercial lifecycle. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Finance, the postholder leads the Commercial and Procurement team and provides expert commercial advice to senior stakeholders. They are responsible for overseeing all commercial activity, leading complex and high risk procurements, and ensuring robust governance, transparency and assurance in commercial decision making. The role combines strong technical expertise with people leadership and influence. Through effective market engagement, clear oversight of contracts and suppliers, and a focus on continuous improvement, the Head of Commercial ensures commercial activity supports organisational priorities, delivers sustainable outcomes and reflects the organisation’s values. The successful applicant: will have a strong understanding of UK Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and UK Public Contracts Regulations 2023 including frameworks and competitive procedures, together with a sound knowledge of contract law in relation to commercial contracts will have demonstrable experience in complex commercial negotiations, including dispute resolution and supplier exit strategies, with an emphasis on digital products will have excellent communication skills and be adept at building trust and influencing at senior levels will hold full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) and have undertaken continuing commercial leadership, procurement law or contract management We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply. We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are: Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background disabled LGBTQ. Our benefits: Civil Service Pension scheme 32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top) hybrid working, 40 percent office based flexible working access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors comprehensive learning and development programme employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers bicycle loan scheme season ticket loan gym membership subsidy paid for professional memberships eye test reimbursement. Inclusion & Wellbeing Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service. Actions we take to embed this include: an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs part of the disability confident scheme providing reasonable adjustments engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation. If you want to join a dedicated team that makes a real difference and helps raise standards in public services, then is the opportunity for you. If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Roz Pedersen, Assistant Director of Finance, Roz.Pedersen@ombudsman.org.uk Interviews will be held onsite. Please do not use AI as this may result in in your application being rejected. Please note that we don’t offer feedback at application stage. PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship as we do not have a licence. We do not accept CVs. To apply for the role, please complete the application form by clicking on the ‘apply online’ button. No agencies. Applications from individuals only. Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .