Procurement Lead

Procurement Lead (Fixed Term until 31 March 2028)

Employer: Housing Ombudsman Service
Salary: £55,837
Location: Remote working – anywhere in the UK
Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2028
Working pattern: Full-time
Job type: Procurement and Contracts Management
Vacancies: 1
Reference: 483906
Closing date: 11:55 pm, Thursday 8 October 2026

About the Role

The Housing Ombudsman Service is seeking a Procurement Lead to join its Corporate Services and Finance Directorate.

Reporting to the Procurement and Contracts Manager, the successful candidate will provide contract and commercial expertise across the organisation, supporting effective contracting through strong governance, risk management and assurance over key supplier arrangements.

The role will support end-to-end procurement activity, with a particular focus on contracting and the post-award lifecycle. This includes contract set-up, administration, governance, performance reporting, contract changes, extensions, renewals and dispute resolution.

The postholder will also help ensure procurement and contracting activity complies with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).

Key Responsibilities

The Procurement Lead will:

• Lead the development and delivery of contract strategies across different contract values.
• Ensure contracting activity complies with the Procurement Act 2023, statutory guidance and internal governance requirements.
• Maintain clear audit trails from contract award through to completion.
• Oversee contract documentation, mobilisation, contract registers and commercial records.
• Support governance reporting and maintain accurate contract information throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Promote best-practice contracting, clear specifications, proportionate terms and value-driven contract governance.
• Advise project leads, contract owners and operational teams on contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Provide advice on procurement thresholds, transparency, sustainability and fair work practices.
• Help contract owners establish effective KPIs, SLAs and supplier performance monitoring arrangements.
• Support scheduled contract reviews and identify opportunities to address underperformance and realise benefits.
• Monitor key contract milestones and work with the business on renewals, extensions, re-procurement or exit strategies.
• Lead complex or high-value commercial activity, including drafting and negotiating contract terms and conditions.
• Ensure procurement and contract governance procedures, approvals, checkpoints, transparency requirements and audit obligations are followed.
• Provide professional guidance and day-to-day support to the Procurement Team.

Person Specification

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Relevant qualifications.
• Significant and demonstrable experience in commercial procurement and contract lifecycle management.
• Experience working in the public sector or on behalf of public sector clients, ideally within a Non-departmental Public Body.
• Up-to-date knowledge of government policy and statutory procurement regulations.
• Experience applying procurement and contracting expertise to manage commercial risk and support value for money.

Working Arrangement

This is a fully remote role, with the vacancy stating that applicants can work anywhere in the UK.

The position is full-time and is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31 March 2028.

Benefits

The Housing Ombudsman Service offers:

• Learning and development tailored to the role.
• Flexible working options.
• An inclusive working environment.
• Civil Service pension.

Eligibility and Security Checks

The role is broadly open to eligible UK and Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and other groups covered by the Civil Service nationality rules.

Successful candidates must undergo a basic or equivalent criminal record check. Those working with government assets must also complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

Application and Selection Process

The employer warns that, because of high interest in its vacancies, the position may close early if 100 applications are received.

Applicants are therefore encouraged by the employer to apply as soon as possible.

Feedback will only be provided to candidates who attend an interview or assessment.

Applicants should ensure that all examples and statements in their application are truthful, factually accurate and based on their own experience. The employer states that applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism is identified.

Application Deadline

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 8 October 2026.

How to Apply

Applications are made through the Housing Ombudsman Service recruitment portal.

Contact: recruitment@housing-ombudsman.org.uk