Industry: Utilities (Water / Energy Infrastructure)
Permanent | Full Time (37 hours)
Onsite with flexibility (approx. 3 days office-based)
This senior role plays a critical part in enabling one of the organisation’s largest and most complex technology transformation programmes the full replacement of a billing system, covering technology, software and infrastructure. You will be responsible for managing the commercial and procurement strategy that underpins this end-to-end transformation.
Working closely with Technology, Finance and senior business leaders, you will act as a trusted commercial partner while driving value, resilience, compliance and innovation across a high-value technology portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the end-to-end procurement and commercial strategy for Technology, including software, infrastructure and services.
* Own the commercial and supplier strategy for the complete transformation of the legacy billing system, one of the organisation’s largest technology programmes.
* Manage high-value, business-critical spend (c. £80m+ annual influence; £150m+ category value).
* Develop and implement market, sourcing and supplier collaboration strategies aligned to long-term business objectives.
* Act as a senior business partner to Technology leadership, influencing strategy and investment decisions.
* Deliver multi-million-pound savings and defined commercial benefits, agreed with Finance and embedded into budgets.
* Oversee supplier performance, risk, compliance and innovation across strategic technology partners.
* Lead annual category planning and contribute to wider business planning cycles.
* Drive ongoing market intelligence, benchmarking and trend analysis, bringing insight and innovation into the organisation.
* Ensure compliance with Procurement Policy, governance frameworks and best practice while enabling agile ways of working.
* Lead, coach and develop a team of commercial professionals, supporting capability building and succession planning.
* Be recognised internally and externally as a subject-matter expert in technology procurement within utilities .
Skills & Experience
* Extensive experience in senior IT / Technology procurement roles within large, complex organisations.
* Proven experience supporting major technology transformation programmes, ideally involving core systems replacement (e.g. billing, ERP, CRM).
* Strong background in managing high-value, business-critical spend categories and strategic suppliers.
* Advanced senior stakeholder management and influencing capability.
* Demonstrable people leadership and team development experience.
* Strong commercial negotiation, dispute resolution and problem-solving skills.
* Politically astute with the ability to operate effectively in complex governance environments.
* Experience working cross-functionally across Technology, Finance and Operations.
* Solid understanding of IT governance, enterprise architecture and technology strategy .
* Knowledge of IT delivery methodologies (Agile, DevOps) and IT service management .
* Experience with vendor evaluation, selection and ongoing supplier management.
* Good understanding of technology regulations, data protection and compliance requirements.
* Utilities sector experience highly desirable.
Essential:
* Degree educated
* Relevant professional or postgraduate qualification (e.g. CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSc)
Desirable:
* Experience of technology procurement within the Utilities or Energy sector
* Knowledge of OT environments and their impact on Technology estates
* Exposure to billing platforms, network management, geospatial or satellite technologies
Benefits
* Salary up to £100,000
* Car cash allowance (£5,000)
* Annual bonus opportunity (20%)
* 26 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising to 30 days with service)
* Generous pension (up to 14% employer contribution) and life assurance
* Private healthcare and wellbeing support
* Flexible benefits platform, gym discounts, EV scheme and share plans
* Enhanced parental leave and strong wellbeing / mental health support
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to shape technology procurement at scale and play a pivotal role in a once-in-a-generation billing system transformation within critical national infrastructure. You’ll have senior-level visibility, real influence and the chance to leave a lasting legacy.
For more information please email: beth@talentdrive.co.uk
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