Senior Category Manager (Major Works

UCL is London’s leading multidisciplinary university and one of the world’s most successful research institutions, with more than 18,000 staff and over 51,000 students from more than 150 countries.

Our Commercial & Procurement function manages an annual third-party spend of more than £900 million and plays a critical role in ensuring UCL achieves excellent commercial outcomes while supporting our wider strategic and sustainability ambitions.

Within Estates Development, we support the investment and development of UCL’s diverse estate. This is a complex environment encompassing major capital works, construction and infrastructure activity, requiring strong commercial strategy, effective procurement and close partnership with stakeholders and the supply chain.

We are now looking for a Senior Category Manager – Major Works to help shape and deliver our commercial approach across this important area.

As Senior Category Manager – Major Works, you will take a leading role in developing and delivering procurement and commercial strategies that support UCL’s Estates Development priorities.

Working closely with the Head of Category – Estates Development, you will build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, developing a detailed understanding of their requirements and translating these into effective category, sourcing and contracting strategies.

You will lead complex procurement activity from strategy through to contract award, developing appropriate routes to market, commercial models, frameworks and competitions. You will provide expert commercial and contractual advice, lead negotiations and ensure solutions deliver strong operational outcomes, value for money and appropriate management of commercial risk.

A key part of the role will be identifying opportunities for efficiencies and cost savings, challenging existing approaches where appropriate and using market insight to introduce innovation and new ways of working. You will also influence senior stakeholders and help ensure commercial considerations are embedded into the planning and delivery of major works activity. The role has a clear focus on delivering commercially excellent solutions while supporting stakeholder and category objectives.

This is an opportunity to work client-side within a large and complex organisation and have a tangible impact on how UCL procures and delivers investment across its estate.

You will be an experienced procurement and commercial professional with significant experience of leading complex, high-value procurement activity. You may currently be working as a Senior Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Commercial Manager, Senior Procurement Manager or in a comparable commercial role within construction, infrastructure, property or a major capital programme environment.

You will have a strong track record of developing procurement and contracting strategies, running robust competitive procurement processes and negotiating complex commercial agreements. You will be commercially astute and able to identify opportunities, develop compelling cases for change and translate commercial strategy into successful delivery.

Experience of working with major works, construction, infrastructure or capital investment supply chains will be particularly valuable, alongside an understanding of the commercial considerations associated with complex projects and supplier markets.

You will be confident operating in a large, complex organisation and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders. You will need the credibility to advise and influence at senior levels while taking a collaborative approach with colleagues across Estates, project delivery, finance, procurement and other professional functions.

Strong communication, analytical and organisational skills are essential. You will be comfortable interpreting complex commercial information and data, managing competing priorities and making evidence-based decisions.

A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience is required. Further professional development and membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) would be advantageous.

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