Commercial Lead Job in West Yorkshire

Role: Senior Commercial Lead            Contract Length: to 31/3/27
Location: Preferred: Leeds -  Alternative: Manchester (with regular travel to Leeds – weekly/fortnightly)
Attendance is 60% per week office based.                        IR35: inside

Role Context: These roles sit within a strategic digital programme in DWP Corporate Services.
This is not a technical or hands-on digital role. Instead, the focus is on strategic commercial leadership, supporting programme delivery through governance, procurement expertise, and stakeholder engagement.  The successful candidates will operate at a senior, enterprise level, helping shape delivery models and ensuring alignment across a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic commercial leadership across a high-profile digital programme
• Lead and support delivery model assessment at a programme/enterprise level
• Manage and influence senior stakeholders (Director level through to operational teams)
• Ensure strong programme governance, assurance, and compliance
• Support and oversee end-to-end procurement activity
• Work across cross-functional teams to drive alignment and delivery outcomes
• Operate effectively in a high-visibility, assurance-driven environment

Essential Experience
Suppliers should prioritise candidates with clear, demonstrable experience in:
• HMT Green Book business cases (hands-on experience essential)
• Public Accounts (PA) 2023 exposure
• Working within large, complex public sector programmes
• End-to-end procurement and commercial lifecycle management
• Operating in high-assurance/governance environments
• Influencing and challenging senior stakeholders
• Experience with CCS frameworks

Desirable Experience
• Experience in large-scale programme procurements
• MCIPS qualification
• Familiarity with Atamis procurement system

Key Skills
• Strategic thinking and programme-level insight
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication
• Commercial acumen and procurement expertise
• Governance and assurance oversight
• Ability to operate in ambiguity and at pace

Candidate Profile - We are looking for candidates who:
• Are strategic, not delivery-focused technical specialists
• Have operated at senior programme or portfolio level
• Are confident working across complex organisational structures
• Can challenge constructively and influence senior decision-making