Catagory Lead

• Location: Flexible (remote working with occasional travel to Bedford)
• Job Type: Interim (6 months initially)
• Salary: £550 - £700 per day inside IR35 via Umbrella

We are seeking a Category Lead for Money, Pensions, Debt and Sector Skills to provide expert commercial and contract management advice and support. This role involves overseeing the transition from grant-based to commercial contract funding for debt advisory services, as well as managing pension and money guidance services. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in the strategic procurement and operational transition within our organisation.

• Lead the end-to-end commercial activities, from strategy development to contract exit, focusing on debt advisory services and pension and money guidance.
• Manage the transition from existing grant agreements to commercial contracts, ensuring continuity and quality of service.
• Collaborate with operational and policy teams, finance, legal, and project delivery functions to deliver effective service models.
• Develop and implement category strategies for the services, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Provide leadership and direction to a small commercial team, ensuring high-quality support and advice.
• Act as a senior leader within the commercial team, driving transformation and alignment with best practices in government commercial functions.
• Develop strong relationships with suppliers and grant recipients, enhancing strategic partnerships and operational excellence.

• Proven experience in managing complexity within commercial activities, ideally in sectors such as education, justice, or social care.
• Strong understanding of the full commercial lifecycle, including strategy, sourcing, procurement, and contract management.
• Experience in public sector procurement is essential.
• Ability to manage risks effectively, with a clear understanding of market drivers and behaviours.
• Decisive and capable of thriving in a dynamic environment; able to make sound decisions quickly.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships across various levels of an organisation.
• Leadership skills with a focus on coaching and development, fostering an inclusive team environment.
• Preferably a mix of public and private sector experience.
• Desirable: Membership in the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.

• Competitive daily rate.
• Flexible working arrangements with the option for remote work.
• Opportunity to lead significant transformational projects within a major organisation.
• Exposure to high-level strategic management and operations.

If you are interested please apply online today!