Job Description

Procurement & Commercial Review Consultant (Interim)

Location: Birmingham (Hybrid - minimum 1 day per week on-site)

Day Rate: £500-£575 (dependent on experience)

Duration: 8-10 weeks per assignment (~40-50 days)

Engagement: Interim / Consultancy

Overview

We 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).

These 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.

This is a high-impact assignment where the successful consultant will play a key role in shaping future operating models, processes and standards.

Scope of Services

The appointed consultant will be responsible for delivering structured reviews and recommendations across one or both of the following areas:

1. Pre-Procurement & Tender Preparation Review

Assess current approaches to pre-procurement activities, including scope development, requirements definition and tender documentation

Identify weaknesses in process, governance alignment and quality assurance

Evaluate consistency of approach across teams and programmes

Review the effectiveness of evaluation criteria, including quality questions and scoring mechanisms

Provide recommendations to enhance robustness, standardisation and clarity of tender documentation

Suggest improvements to governance compliance, peer review processes and pre-procurement workflows

2. Post-Contract Award / Contract Management Review

Review existing contract administration processes across works and professional services contracts

Assess consistency and effectiveness of change control, risk management and reporting procedures

Identify areas of commercial exposure, inefficiencies or inconsistency across teams

Evaluate current practices against industry standards and best practice (including NEC-aligned environments)

Recommend improvements to contract governance, controls, oversight and performance monitoring

Support development of more structured, repeatable approaches to contract management

Key Deliverables

End-to-end review of current-state processes and operating practices

Identification and documentation of key risks, gaps and inefficiencies

Development of clear, actionable recommendations aligned to best practice

Formal written report outlining findings and proposed improvements

Presentation of findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders

Operating Environment

Large-scale infrastructure and highways delivery programme

Mix of professional services, civil engineering works and contingent resource contracts

Delivery via regulated public sector frameworks

Alignment to Procurement Act 2023 governance

Predominantly NEC contract forms in use

Multi-stakeholder environment with varying levels of commercial maturity

Candidate Profile

We are seeking experienced consultants with a strong track record in delivering similar review, audit or transformation assignments.

Essential experience:

Proven background in procurement, commercial or contract management roles

Experience delivering process reviews, audits or transformation programmes

Strong understanding of public sector procurement governance and frameworks

Knowledge of NEC contracts and their practical application

Experience within infrastructure, highways, transport or capital projects environmentsKey skills:

Ability to rapidly assess and understand complex operating environments

Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills

Analytical mindset with a focus on identifying practical, implementable improvements

High-quality report writing and presentation capabilities

Commercial awareness and attention to risk, governance and compliance

Working Arrangements

Hybrid model with minimum 1 day per week on-site in Birmingham (flexible but subject to programme needs)

Remaining time can be delivered remotely

Flexibility required to engage with stakeholders and attend key sessions in person where needed

Additional Information

Opportunity to deliver one or both review programmes depending on experience

Immediate start preferred

Potential for further phases of work depending on outcomes

Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement or commercial consultant to deliver meaningful, high-value work within a major public sector organisation. The assignment offers the chance to influence future best practice across both procurement and contract delivery, leaving a lasting impact beyond the duration of the engagement