We are seeking an experienced Commercial Operations and Project Lead to join our Digital Services Team at an exciting time of change and transformation. The Council has a wide and growing portfolio of digital projects, ranging from core infrastructure and corporate systems to customer-facing platforms and data-led service improvements.
This is a key commercial role, leading on the management and procurement of Digital contracts across the Council. You will ensure strong supplier performance, robust governance, compliance with public sector procurement regulations, and clear value for money throughout the delivery lifecycle.
You will play a critical role in shaping and managing relationships with major technology suppliers, supporting complex digital projects from a commercial and contractual perspective. Through effective contract management, procurement activity and supplier assurance, this role directly supports delivery of the Council’s Digital, Data and AI strategy, ensuring digital initiatives are commercially sound, well‑governed and aligned to strategic outcomes.
About the Role
As Commercial Operations and Project Lead, you will:
1. Lead and manage Digital Services project contracts across the Council.
2. Work closely with commissioners, project managers, procurement, legal and finance teams to deliver compliant, value‑driven contracts.
3. Maintain the Digital Services contract register, renewal pipeline, and supplier engagement calendar.
4. Act as a commercial lead for supplier performance management, including KPIs, SLAs and service reviews.
5. Identify, escalate and manage contractual and supplier risks.
6. Support digital project procurement strategies from early project stages through to contract closure.
7. Ensure the Council is protected against supplier underperformance and commercial risk.
8. Advise senior stakeholders, including Directors and elected members, on digital contract and procurement matters.
This is a high‑impact role with significant influence across Digital Services and the wider organisation.
About You
You will bring:
Essential experience and skills
9. Significant experience managing IT/digital contracts within a public sector environment.
10. Strong knowledge of UK public sector procurement, including PCR 2015 / PA23.
11. Proven experience of running tenders, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier performance.
12. Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
13. Strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, and attention to detail.
14. Experience maintaining contract and supplier registers and managing renewal cycles.
15. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable
16. Professional qualification in Procurement, Commercial, IT or Finance ( MCIPS, CIPFA).
17. Experience of cloud service contracts and digital licensing models.
18. Experience using Atamis or similar contract management systems.
Why Join Us?
19. Work on high‑profile digital projects that directly support public services.
20. Influence major technology and commercial decisions across the organisation.
21. Be part of a collaborative, values‑driven Digital Services team.
Additional Information
22. This role requires a minimum of 2 days onsite at the Civic Centre.
23. Occasional out‑of‑hours working and on‑call availability may be required.
24. Appointment is subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks.