Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager

• Salary Range: £61,491 - £76,485
• Client: Southwark Council
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Working Hours: 36 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
• Location: Hybris working - 2 days per week - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH

Allen Lane are proud to be working exclusively with Southwark Council with their appointment of a Commercial Manager to play a key role in one of local government's most significant digital transformation programmes.

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.

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.

Attachments:

• Job Description & Person Specification -Commercial Manager

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