Contracts Commercial Lead (Interim)Directorate: Procurement & Commercial Services
Contract Length: 6-month contract with potential extension
Location: Westminster (Hybrid – minimum 3 days per week onsite, Victoria)
Recruitment Partner: Aatom Recruitment
Aatom Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced Contracts Commercial Lead to work on behalf of local authority on a six-month interim contract, with the possibility of extension.
About the RoleWestminster City Council is delivering its ambitious Fit for the Future 2030 transformation programme, aiming to become a modern, inclusive, and resident-led organisation. As a key enabler of this programme, the Contracts Commercial Lead will play a central role in strengthening commercial performance and optimising value across a diverse and high-value contract portfolio.
This is a highly strategic, delivery-focused interim role, responsible for driving rapid commercial improvements, identifying efficiencies, and securing measurable value for money. The postholder will work closely with Procurement & Commercial Services, Finance, Legal, and operational teams to embed best practice and improve supplier outcomes.
This position is hybrid, requiring at least three days per week onsite in Victoria, with flexibility to attend in-person and out-of-hours meetings as required. Fully remote working is not available.
Key PurposeThe Contracts Commercial Lead will deliver commercial optimisation and improvements aligned to three core programme objectives:
Re-imagining*Innovating commercial practices and supplier partnerships to deliver locally tailored, high-impact solutions.
Strengthening*Embedding commercial excellence, improving governance, and supporting long-term organisational resilience.
Optimisation*Ensuring effective use of resources, improving cost efficiency, and enhancing financial sustainability while maintaining service quality.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Contract Review*Lead rapid assessments of priority contracts to identify renegotiation opportunities, savings levers, rebates, credits, and performance improvements.
Savings Prioritisation*Focus activity on high-value and strategically important contracts, particularly those approaching extension points.
*Sequence work to maximise near-term savings and mitigate risks, including supplier sustainability risks.
Stakeholder Engagement*Work collaboratively with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and contract managers to strengthen contract management approaches.
*Agree commercial and contractual changes that improve delivery and financial outcomes.
Negotiation & Delivery*Lead supplier negotiations to secure immediate and longer-term savings.
*Maintain service quality, compliance, and strong supplier relationships throughout negotiations.
Continuous Improvement*Review and challenge existing cost models, pricing mechanisms, and commercial levers.
*Recommend and design improved structures, including incentives, indexation, gain-share arrangements, and risk/benefit sharing models.
Governance & Reporting*Establish and maintain robust governance and reporting processes, including weekly highlight reports and monthly savings trackers.
*Provide transparent and auditable benefits reporting to senior stakeholders.
Knowledge Transfer*Share commercial expertise across Procurement & Commercial Services, business partners, and contract managers.
*Support contract deep-dives to identify specification reductions, service redesign, and additional savings opportunities.
What Success Looks LikeWithin the first six months, the role is expected to deliver:
*Demonstrable reductions in contract spend across targeted contracts, validated by Finance.
*Improved supplier terms, including pricing, SLAs, indexation, and rebates, without negatively impacting service delivery.
*Embedding of improved commercial approaches within procurement evaluations and contractual arrangements.
About YouYou will bring a strong combination of commercial leadership, analytical capability, and negotiation expertise, with the ability to operate at pace and influence senior stakeholders across a complex organisation.
Required Experience & Skills*Proven track record of delivering contract savings and improved commercial terms across complex supplier portfolios.
*Strong commercial and financial analysis skills, including spend analysis, lifecycle costing, price and volume analysis, and benchmarking.
*Advanced supplier negotiation experience, balancing cost efficiency, risk management, and service quality.
*Knowledge of public sector procurement and contract management best practice, including governance, legal, and audit requirements.
*Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with procurement, finance, legal, and operational teams.
*Clear and concise communication skills, with the ability to present commercial and financial insights to senior decision-makers.
Reporting Line*Reports to the Director of Commercial Partnerships.
*No direct line management responsibility.


To Apply Please Contact Anisha Patel