About The Role
The higher education sector is facing significant financial pressures, but at the University of Sussex, we see this as a strategic opportunity for procurement to lead with impact. We are seeking a dedicated Procurement Consultant to join our collaborative and forward-thinking Strategic Procurement team.
Working predominantly within our newly established SEM, Estates and Facilities Category, this role will be instrumental in supporting the delivery of our long-term Estates Capital Programme, including planned maintenance and a diverse portfolio of projects varying in size, scale, and complexity. You’ll help drive value, ensure compliance, and support sustainability across procurement activities.
Aligned with the Managerial level of the CIPS Global Standards, candidates should bring relevant qualifications or equivalent experience.
Key Responsibilities Include
* Leading sourcing, contract management, and supplier engagement.
* Driving cost-effectiveness and performance improvement.
* Developing category strategies and maintaining a commercial pipeline.
* Supporting sustainability and compliance across procurement activities.
* Representing Procurement in strategic initiatives and mentoring others.
Join us to make a meaningful impact at a critical time for the sector.
About You
You’re a procurement professional with a proven ability to deliver value, ideally within complex or regulated environments such as higher education or the wider public sector. You understand the financial pressures universities face and are motivated to support smarter, more sustainable procurement.
You have experience running tenders, managing supplier relationships, and working within frameworks like the Public Contracts Regulations. You’re confident engaging with stakeholders and supporting decisions that align with institutional priorities.
Experience in SEM, Estates or Facilities categories is beneficial but not essential. More important is your collaborative mindset, adaptability, and commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
In this role, you’ll help maximise value in the University’s commercial relationships by supporting or leading on strategic projects, tenders, and supplier negotiations. While public sector experience is welcome, we also encourage applications from those in other sectors who understand the implications of working in a regulated environment.
This is a great opportunity to grow your career in a supportive, forward-thinking team—helping the University of Sussex deliver value for money while advancing its sustainability and social responsibility goals.
About Our Division
The Finance Division is led by the Chief Finance Officer who reports directly to the Vice Chancellor. We employ some 80 staff who provide high quality financial and commercial services which support both the day to day running of our schools, services, and the development and delivery of the University’s strategic aims.
Our staff work in partnership with academic, professional service colleagues, and students to understand their priorities and needs. We maintain efficient and effective services, systems, and processes, assist in identifying and exploiting commercial and strategic opportunities, manage financial risk and improve ‘spending power’ through negotiation of favourable commercial terms. We work hard to equip staff across the University with financial capability and confidence to ensure that the University makes the best use of resources for our students and research partners.
Please find further information regarding the division at Finance: University of Sussex.
Why work here
Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.
Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it’s our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.
Find Out More About Our Reward And Benefits Package.
Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.
Further Key Information
Please contact Claire Hutchinson (c.hutchinson@sussex.ac.uk) or Neil Gillespie (N.M.Gillespie@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult ourSkilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship. #J-18808-Ljbffr