Sequora Academy – Trainee Procurement and Commercial Consultant Where potential becomes capability Expression of Interest Are you looking for an accelerated route into a procurement and commercial career? Are you ready to invest in your development, advancing your career opportunities, whilst delivering to clients? If so, you may be exactly who the Academy is for: a supported, demanding pathway built for faster progression, with potential for a permanent end client role. Values and inclusion at Sequora We put our values first and look for people who embody them and do the right thing, especially when it matters. We are a Real Living Wage employer, a Disability Confident registered employer, an Armed Forces Covenant holder, and a signatory of the Social Mobility Pledge. In practice, this means we recruit for potential, provide reasonable adjustments without fuss, and support people to succeed through structured coaching and fair assessment. Locations (hubs): London, Manchester, Blackpool, Leeds, Birmingham Working pattern: Hybrid, typically two to three days per week on client site or in a Sequora hub Basic Salary: £26,227 to £40,000 per annum depending on experience and client role Duration: 18 months to 2 years Why this is a rare opportunity This is a direct route into an accelerated development apprenticeship within a recognised profession. You will deliver for a client, while building credible procurement and commercial experience and working towards an internationally recognised qualification (CIPS). You will work alongside experienced colleagues and commercial experts, with structured check-ins and guided responsibility as you develop. What you get through the Academy • Full salary and benefits, delivering client work from day one • Funded professional accreditation (CIPS Level 4 Procurement and Supply apprenticeship or higher) • Support from experienced practitioners, with coaching and mentoring built in • Structured development with clear capability checkpoints • Exposure to stakeholder engagement, contracts, governance, and value-for-money decision-making You will be employed by Sequora on the Academy pathway while undertaking an accelerated programme of learning and development. When mobilised, you will join a live, commissioned client role with clear expectations and structured support to help you succeed. You will not be left to sink or swim. Responsibility increases as your capability grows, backed by regular check-ins, feedback, and practical support from the Sequora team. Sequora Academy is a selective development pathway for people who want to build real Procurement and Commercial capability through paid, applied experience, professional accreditation, and structured professional support. This is an expression of interest for future client-commissioned Academy roles, not a single advertised vacancy. It is an invitation to register interest, be ahead of the curve, and be considered for opportunities as client demand arises. What Procurement and Commercial means in Government In Government departments, Procurement and Commercial teams help public services buy and manage the goods and services they rely on, from digital and professional services to estates, facilities and major programmes. The work focuses on selecting the right suppliers, running fair processes, managing contracts well, improving value for money, and making decisions that stand up to scrutiny. It is fine if this is new to you. The Academy is designed to teach you properly while you learn through real work. You might support work such as: • Planning and running competitive procurements and sourcing activity • Drafting and managing contracts, changes, and extensions • Working with suppliers to improve performance and resolve issues • Supporting governance, approvals, and audit-ready record keeping • Analysing spend, risk, and contract data to improve value for money • Producing clear written outputs for internal and external scrutiny Who We Are Sequora is a procurement and commercial consultancy and capability partner supporting complex organisations, including Government departments. We help clients make strong decisions, manage risk, and protect value. Our work is shaped by three values: discernment, growth with depth, and integrity in motion. These values shape not only how we deliver for clients, but how we develop and assess the progress of our people. The Academy Pathway Academy members are employed by Sequora while working on client engagements and completing the CIPS Level 4 Procurement and Supply apprenticeship or higher. There are both Core and Advanced Academy pathways. You gain experience that would typically take several more years to acquire, supported by structured learning, coaching, mentoring, and continuous feedback. Development focuses on project delivery, professional capability, CIPS attainment, client integration, emotional intelligence, and digital, data and AI capability. This means contributing to real procurement and commercial activity from early on, including working with information, stakeholders, contracts, and governance processes that support the creation of value and accountability. What You Will Develop Depending on readiness and client context, you may gain experience in sourcing, contracts, supplier engagement, governance, analysis, cost control, risk management, and process improvement. You are not expected to arrive as an expert. You are expected to be curious, reflective, and willing to apply learning with integrity. Capability is demonstrated through outcomes and judgement, not attendance or titles. The Virtual Bench Successful candidates may be preselected to join Sequora’s virtual bench and prioritised for future mobilisation. This is not a guarantee of immediate placement. It is a signal of readiness, alignment with Sequora’s values and potential to grow through the Academy pathway. What happens after the Academy There may be an opportunity to move into a permanent role with the end client, where it is right for both sides and you wish to accept it. If that is not available or not the right next step, you should still complete the pathway with a recognized professional qualification, significant applied experience, and membership of the Sequora Alumni community. We will continue to support your progression, including looking for alternative opportunities within Sequora, or helping you access future opportunities through our network of public and private sector partners and relationships. Is This Right for You? Sequora Academy is open to people of all backgrounds and career stages. Educational attainment is secondary to your values, attributes, judgement, and potential to learn and deliver. This pathway is suited to people who are curious, adaptable, and prepared to take responsibility for their own development. You should be comfortable working with information, confident using digital tools like Microsoft Office (or willing to learn), and able to build professional relationships based on trust and credibility. Procurement and commercial work requires resilience, sound judgement, and the ability to remain thoughtful under pressure. Sequora values people who engage with feedback, learn from experience, and apply integrity in how they work with clients and colleagues. The Academy is structured, supportive, and ambitious. If the questions at the top felt like you, we encourage you to explore the full application pack and register your interest. The application process is designed to assess your potential, attributes, values and intent, not your academic qualifications or work history. To find out more, please visit our website: www.sequora.co.uk/careers. To apply, send us your CV and a brief covering letter explaining what has drawn you to this opportunity. Successful applicants will then be provided with a full information pack and the Sequora Academy application form. Privacy and data use Your data and privacy As this is an expression of interest, we may retain your details for a period to consider you for suitable Academy opportunities. We will do this responsibly and in line with our Privacy Policy: https://www.sequora.co.uk/privacy-policy