Interim IT Procurement Lead – Inside IR35 (Public Sector) Interim NEW

IT Procurement Lead – Digital, Data & Technology
Inside IR35 | 6 months initial contract (with strong potential for extension)
UK Public Sector | Hybrid Working

We are seeking an experienced IT Procurement Lead – Digital, Data & Technology to lead a high-impact IT procurement portfolio within a fast-paced public sector transformation environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident and credible procurement professional who thrives at the intersection of technology, commercial strategy and public sector governance, and who can balance compliant procurement delivery with pace, innovation and stakeholder influence.

You will lead sourcing activity across hardware, software, cloud, telecoms and IT professional services, ensuring all procurement activity is fully aligned to the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and PCR15 principles where applicable, delivering value for money, transparency, fairness and robust commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead end-to-end procurement activity across the DD&T category, including complex sourcing, RFP design, tender execution, evaluation, negotiation and contract award.

* Develop and release RFPs and manage full tender processes in line with PA23 compliant routes to market and established public sector frameworks (including PA23 aligned frameworks and legacy PCR15 compliant routes where applicable).

* Ensure all procurement activity is fully compliant, well governed and auditable, maintaining strong controls around risk, approvals and governance.

* Produce clear, commercially robust sourcing recommendations, ensuring governance panels and stakeholders receive transparent and well-supported decision-making information.

* Manage a portfolio of strategic IT and digital transformation programmes, ensuring procurement activity aligns with wider organisational technology and change road maps.

* Drive category strategy development across DD&T, identifying opportunities for cost optimisation, supplier performance improvement and long-term value creation.

* Maintain and develop a structured sourcing pipeline, ensuring effective prioritisation of demand across competing programmes.

* Provide commercial leadership and procurement expertise across major digital transformation initiatives, system implementations and cloud-related programmes.

* Lead supplier engagement and selection processes, including negotiation of complex commercial and contractual arrangements.

* Act as a key interface between IT leadership (including CIO-level stakeholders), Finance, Legal, suppliers and wider business stakeholders.

* Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities within procurement governance, processes and compliance frameworks.

Stakeholder & Leadership Focus

* Partner closely with CIO, DD&T leadership, Finance, Legal and senior business stakeholders to align procurement strategy with digital and technology road maps.

* Operate with credibility and gravitas in senior stakeholder environments, influencing decision-making and challenging constructively where required.

* Lead and support procurement colleagues and managed service provider (MSP) teams, ensuring strong performance, clear direction and delivery accountability.

* Provide mentorship and coaching to support capability development across the wider procurement function.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings:

* Strong experience in public sector procurement, ideally within regulated or central government environments.

* Deep knowledge of IT, Digital and Technology procurement categories.

* Hands-on experience with PA23 and/or PCR15 compliant procurement processes and frameworks.

* Proven ability to run complex end-to-end tenders and manage compliant routes to market.

* Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability.

* Confidence operating in fast-paced transformation or change environments.

* Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders with authority and clarity.

* A collaborative and personable approach with natural gravitas and influence.

* A pragmatic approach to balancing compliance, pace and commercial outcomes.

Why This Role?

This is a high-profile opportunity to shape and deliver critical digital and technology procurement activity within a major public sector transformation programme.

You will play a key role in ensuring procurement not only remains compliant, but actively enables modernisation, innovation and value delivery across DD&T services.

Tagged as: MCIPS PA 23 SC Cleared