AMS PSR

On behalf of FCDO, we are looking for a Commercial Lead - (Inside IR35) for a 12-month contract based working on a hybrid basis and with an expectation of 3 days attendance in the London office.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

Role Summary

The Commercial Lead is responsible for developing and delivering commercial strategies across a portfolio of technology and business service categories, ensuring value for money, effective risk management, and strong supplier performance. Working closely with senior business stakeholders, the role leads commercial activity across the full contract lifecycle, from category strategy development and procurement through to contract and supplier management.

The postholder will provide expert commercial advice, shape sourcing approaches, lead complex procurements, and oversee strategic supplier relationships to support the FCDO’s global operations. The role requires the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and drive commercial outcomes that support organisational objectives.

As a Commercial Lead - (Inside IR35), your main responsibilities will be:

• Develop and implement category strategies using market intelligence, spend analysis, supplier insights, and business requirements.
• Lead and manage complex procurement activities, ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.
• Deliver end-to-end sourcing projects, including market engagement, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, contract award, and mobilisation.
• Provide commercial leadership on high-value and complex contracts throughout their lifecycle.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance, driving service improvements, innovation, risk mitigation, and value for money.
• Identify and deliver commercial benefits, cost savings, and efficiencies through strategic sourcing and contract management activities.
• Provide commercial assurance, risk management, and input into business cases and investment decisions.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, suppliers, and cross-government commercial networks.
• Monitor market developments and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for improved commercial outcomes.
• Lead, coach, and develop commercial staff, fostering a high-performing and professional commercial function.

To be considered for this role, please ensure your CV evidences the following essential criteria.

Essential 

• SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance
• Significant experience in Public Sector procurement and category management, including category strategy development, market and spend analysis, commercial planning, and sourcing activities.
• Proven expertise in leading complex procurement exercises, including tender development, evaluation, negotiation, and supplier selection.
• Strong contract and supplier management experience, including performance management, relationship management, risk mitigation, and governance compliance.
• Demonstrable experience within IT Services, Cyber Security and/or Telecommunications categories.
• Proven ability to deliver commercial value through strategic procurement, cost optimisation, negotiation, and innovative commercial solutions.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and drive outcomes across all organisational levels.
• Experience designing, mapping and improving business processes, supported by the effective use of management information and performance data.
• Strong understanding of governance, regulated procurement environments, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Demonstrable resilience and ability to manage complex priorities, ambiguity and change while delivering results.

Desirable

• CIPS
• Experience of PCR2015
• Experience and knowledge of PA2023
• Experience of Jaggaer
• Experience of Microsoft 365

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, FCDO guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant / Commitment

FCDO guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".