Strategic Commercial Lead
Location: Hybrid - 1-2 days onsite in Warwick or Wokingham
Pay Rate: £900 per day via umbrella (Inside IR35)
Contract length: 6 months (possible extension)

The Opportunity

We're supporting a major, high-profile infrastructure programme of national importance, seeking a Strategic Commercial Lead to operate in a senior advisory capacity.

This is not a traditional delivery role. Instead, you'll sit at programme level, shaping commercial strategy, influencing executive decision-making, and ensuring consistent, high-quality commercial governance across a complex delivery environment.

You will play a critical role in driving value-for-money, risk optimisation, and programme-wide commercial excellence within a public sector setting.

The Role

You will act as a trusted commercial advisor, working closely with programme leadership to shape how the programme is procured, governed, and commercially managed.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and oversee the end-to-end commercial and procurement strategy
• Provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders, including programme leadership and governance boards
• Establish and embed robust commercial governance and assurance frameworks
• Shape contracting strategies within an NEC4 environment
• Lead on enterprise-level commercial risk, including inflation, supply chain, and contractual risk
• Ensure consistent cost models, pricing structures, and value-for-money outcomes
• Influence supplier engagement and supply chain strategy
• Provide independent challenge and assurance on key decisions (business cases, investment approvals, supplier strategies)

Essential Experience

• Proven experience operating at programme-level commercial leadership or strategic advisory level
• Strong background in major infrastructure or construction programmes
• Experience within public sector or regulated environments
• Deep understanding of NEC4 contracts and commercial structuring
• Track record in commercial governance, risk management, and strategic decision support
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence at executive level
• Experience engaging and shaping supplier strategy and complex supply chains

Desirable

• Exposure to critical infrastructure environments (e.g. utilities, energy, transport, data centres)
• Professional accreditation (RICS, CIOB, CICES or similar)
• SC clearance or eligibility to obtain
  

The Person

You will be:

• A strategic thinker, comfortable operating above project delivery level
• Credible and confident engaging with senior stakeholders
• Experienced in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder programmes
• Commercially focused on risk, governance, and long-term value

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, unfortunately, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for any future suitable vacancies and contact you accordingly.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.