Procurement / Commercial Consultant

Procurement & Commercial Review Consultant (Interim)\n\nLocation: Birmingham (Hybrid - minimum 1 day per week on-site)\n Day Rate: £500-£575 (dependent on experience)\n Duration: 8-10 weeks per assignment (~40-50 days)\n Engagement: Interim / Consultancy\n\nOverview\n\nWe are supporting a leading infrastructure consultancy engaged by a major UK local authority to deliver two strategic review programmes across a high-value capital infrastructure portfolio (circa £50m-£75m annually).\n\nThese engagements are designed to assess, challenge and enhance both pre-procurement and post-contract processes, ultimately improving governance, consistency and commercial outcomes across a complex programme of works, services and resource-based contracts.\n\nThis is a high-impact assignment where the successful consultant will play a key role in shaping future operating models, processes and standards.\n\nScope of Services\n\nThe appointed consultant will be responsible for delivering structured reviews and recommendations across one or both of the following areas:\n\n1. Pre-Procurement & Tender Preparation Review\n\nAssess current approaches to pre-procurement activities, including scope development, requirements definition and tender documentation\nIdentify weaknesses in process, governance alignment and quality assurance\nEvaluate consistency of approach across teams and programmes\nReview the effectiveness of evaluation criteria, including quality questions and scoring mechanisms\nProvide recommendations to enhance robustness, standardisation and clarity of tender documentation\nSuggest improvements to governance compliance, peer review processes and pre-procurement workflows\n\n2. Post-Contract Award / Contract Management Review\n\nReview existing contract administration processes across works and professional services contracts\nAssess consistency and effectiveness of change control, risk management and reporting procedures\nIdentify areas of commercial exposure, inefficiencies or inconsistency across teams\nEvaluate current practices against industry standards and best practice (including NEC-aligned environments)\nRecommend improvements to contract governance, controls, oversight and performance monitoring\nSupport development of more structured, repeatable approaches to contract management\n\nKey Deliverables\n\nEnd-to-end review of current-state processes and operating practices\nIdentification and documentation of key risks, gaps and inefficiencies\nDevelopment of clear, actionable recommendations aligned to best practice\nFormal written report outlining findings and proposed improvements\nPresentation of findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders\n\nOperating Environment\n\nLarge-scale infrastructure and highways delivery programme\nMix of professional services, civil engineering works and contingent resource contracts\nDelivery via regulated public sector frameworks\nAlignment to Procurement Act 2023 governance\nPredominantly NEC contract forms in use\nMulti-stakeholder environment with varying levels of commercial maturity\n\nCandidate Profile\n\nWe are seeking experienced consultants with a strong track record in delivering similar review, audit or transformation assignments.\n\nEssential experience:\n\nProven background in procurement, commercial or contract management roles\nExperience delivering process reviews, audits or transformation programmes\nStrong understanding of public sector procurement governance and frameworks\nKnowledge of NEC contracts and their practical application\nExperience within infrastructure, highways, transport or capital projects environmentsKey skills:\n\nAbility to rapidly assess and understand complex operating environments\nStrong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills\nAnalytical mindset with a focus on identifying practical, implementable improvements\nHigh-quality report writing and presentation capabilities\nCommercial awareness and attention to risk, governance and compliance\n\nWorking Arrangements\n\nHybrid model with minimum 1 day per week on-site in Birmingham (flexible but subject to programme needs)\nRemaining time can be delivered remotely\nFlexibility required to engage with stakeholders and attend key sessions in person where needed\n\nAdditional Information\n\nOpportunity to deliver one or both review programmes depending on experience\nImmediate start preferred\nPotential for further phases of work depending on outcomes\n\nSummary\n\nThis is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement or commercial consultant to deliver meaningful, high-value work within a major public sector organisation.