Job Description
16 weeks contract role with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• The Senior Commercial Lead will provide expert commercial leadership across high‑value, high‑risk contracts and programmes for Somerset Council.
• The role is responsible for shaping commercial strategies, leading complex negotiations, and ensuring robust governance to deliver value for money and high‑quality services for Somerset’s communities.
• Working collaboratively with procurement, legal, finance and wider stakeholders, the postholder will support the full commercial lifecycle from options appraisal to in‑life contract management.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Lead and support commercial strategies across a portfolio of contracts and programmes, from early options appraisal through to ongoing management.
• Provide senior-level commercial advice on delivery models, contract terms, risk allocation, dispute handling and value-for-money considerations.
• Lead commercial negotiations, support contract drafting, oversee finalisation and ensure effective mobilisation.
• Strengthen contract performance, governance frameworks, reporting, and change control processes.
• Support and guide contract recovery plans where performance requires improvement.
• Coach, mentor and advise colleagues to enhance commercial and contract management capability across the organisation.
• Influence stakeholders effectively in a matrix environment, without formal line management responsibility.
Skills/Experience:
• Extensive experience of commercial and contract management in a complex organisation.
• Strong background in supplier relationship and performance management.
• Proven track record of leading complex commercial negotiations.
• Experience supporting contract drafting, mobilisation and commercial risk management.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk, value for money, assurance and performance frameworks.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and influencing without direct authority.
• Ongoing professional development demonstrated; degree or relevant qualification desirable.
• Full right to work in the UK and ability to meet compliance requirements (DBS, driving licence, references, confidentiality agreement, etc.).
Additional Information:
• Bi-Weekly Payments.
• Duration: 16 weeks.
• Hours: 37 per week.
• Work Pattern: 2 days per week in the office (Taunton).
• Rates: Ltd/Umbrella: £263.30 per day.
• Location: The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY.
Requirements
• Extensive experience of commercial and contract management in a complex organisation. • Strong background in supplier relationship and performance management. • Proven track record of leading complex commercial negotiations. • Experience supporting contract drafting, mobilisation and commercial risk management. • Strong understanding of governance, risk, value for money, assurance and performance frameworks. • Confident working with senior stakeholders and influencing without direct authority. • Ongoing professional development demonstrated; degree or relevant qualification desirable. • Full right to work in the UK and ability to meet compliance requirements (DBS, driving licence, references, confidentiality agreement, etc.).