Commercial Manager - #2179960

Please only apply if located in one of the following locations and able to work on site - Manchester/Newcastle/Blackpool - hybrid, 60% in clients Hub / 40% home working

We are seeking an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to lead the commercial strategy and delivery of complex, high-value software and technology procurements within a large public sector environment.

Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the commercial strategy for complex software and technology procurements, renewals and contract negotiations.
* Develop sourcing strategies, route-to-market approaches and commercial recommendations that deliver value for money and support organisational objectives.
* Manage end-to-end procurement activities from business case development and market engagement through to contract award and implementation.
* Create and maintain competitive tension within supplier negotiations to secure optimal commercial outcomes.
* Draft and manage procurement documentation, tender materials, commercial models, evaluation criteria and contract schedules.
* Analyse supplier proposals, pricing structures, licensing models and commercial responses to support robust decision-making.
* Provide commercial leadership and advice on enterprise software licensing, subscriptions, support arrangements and consumption-based commercial models.
* Build strong relationships with stakeholders across Digital, Technology, Finance, Procurement and IT Asset Management functions.

Essential:
* Extensive public sector commercial and procurement experience gained within a large, complex organisation, government department, arm's-length body or regulated environment.
* Proven experience leading high-value, strategically important software, technology and digital procurements from inception through to contract award.
* Strong commercial expertise across enterprise software markets, including major vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Informatica and Flexera.
* Deep understanding of software licensing models, SaaS and cloud-based services, subscription agreements, software support arrangements and enterprise renewals.
* Demonstrable experience developing sourcing strategies, route-to-market approaches and negotiation strategies that deliver value for money and strong commercial outcomes.
* Strong knowledge of public sector procurement governance, commercial best practice and procurement lifecycle management.
* Significant experience leading competitive tendering exercises, supplier negotiations, commercial evaluations and contract awards.
* Proven ability to analyse complex commercial proposals, assess risk and negotiate favourable contractual and financial outcomes.
* Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior leaders, Digital, Technology, Finance, ITAM and supplier organisations.
* Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance business requirements, affordability, risk and long-term strategic objectives.
* Highly organised, analytical and capable of managing multiple priorities within fast-paced and complex environments.
* Strong communication, presentation and report-writing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and provide robust commercial advice.
* Self-motivated and delivery-focused, with the ability to work independently, take ownership and drive procurements through to successful completion

Desirable:
* Experience supporting large-scale digital transformation programmes, enterprise technology initiatives and complex software renewals.
* Knowledge of Software Asset Management (SAM), IT Asset Management (ITAM), cloud procurement frameworks and digital sourcing strategies.
* Experience working with Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks, government procurement routes and large public sector organisations.
* MCIPS qualified (or equivalent) with an understanding of technology architecture, supplier relationship management and category management best practice.

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.
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