Southwark Council
Commercial Manager
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Why Southwark?
This is a rare opportunity to help shape how technology services are delivered at one of London's most ambitious boroughs.
Southwark is delivering its Vision 360 transformation programme, reshaping how digital, technology and resident services are delivered and bringing key digital, technology and commercial capabilities back in-house
You'll work closely with senior leaders to shape how technology procurement, supplier management, commercial governance and investment decisions are managed across the organisation. This is a role where you'll have genuine influence, helping create a modern, responsive and commercially focused technology service that delivers better outcomes for more than 300,000 residents.
If you're a commercial leader who enjoys building capability, navigating change and creating lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Be Doing
As Commercial Manager, you will:
- Lead the commercial function within Southwark's Digital and Resident Experience directorate, providing strategic leadership across procurement, supplier management, licensing and contract governance.
- Support the council's Vision 360 transformation programme, helping establish the commercial capability, governance and supplier management arrangements required as services transition from the current shared service model.
- Develop sourcing strategies and lead technology procurements that deliver value, innovation and long-term benefits for residents and colleagues.
- Manage strategic supplier relationships and commercial contracts, ensuring strong performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Oversee software licensing and technology asset management, helping maximise value from technology investments across their lifecycle.
- Partner with colleagues across Finance, Procurement and Legal Services to manage commercial risk, support decision-making and strengthen governance.
- Lead and develop a specialist commercial team, building capability and creating a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
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What We're Looking For
We're Seeking a Commercially Astute Leader Who Brings:
- Experience leading procurement, contract management and supplier relationship activities within a large and complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation, commercial governance and contract management best practice.
- Experience managing technology suppliers, contracts, software licensing or comparable commercial portfolios.
- The ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and influence strategic decisions.
- Strong commercial judgement, balancing risk, value for money and organisational priorities.
- Experience leading teams through change and developing high-performing, collaborative cultures.
- Ideally, experience within local government, the wider public sector or a digital and technology environment.
For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.
To be considered for interview, you will be asked to submit your CV and a supporting statement (no more than two sides of A4) demonstrating how you meet the key criteria outlined in the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Contact Information:
Internal Staff:
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Naseem Golamgouse via email at Naseem.Golamgouse@southwark.gov.uk
External Candidates:
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact William Vessey via email at williamvessey@allenlane.co.uk
Additional Information:
- Working Hours: 36 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
- Location: 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH
- Type of contract: Permanent
Benefits And More Information:
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment Timeline
- Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 11th October 2026
- Shortlisting date/s: week commencing 19th October 2026
- Interview date/s: week commencing 26th October 2026
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The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
Please Note:
External candidates: If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply via our recruitment partner, Allen Lane, using the microsite link below.
Please do not use the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page, as external applications are being managed by Allen Lane and applications submitted through this button will not be accepted.
Internal candidates: If you are a current council employee, please continue to apply using the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page.
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Job Description & Person Specification -Commercial Manager
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