Category Lead for Money, Pensions, Debt and Sector Skills Location: Flexible (remote working with occasional travel to Bedford) Job Type: Interim (6 months initially) Salary: £550 - £700 per day inside IR35 via Umbrella We are seeking a Category Lead for Money, Pensions, Debt and Sector Skills to provide expert commercial and contract management advice and support. This role involves overseeing the transition from grant-based to commercial contract funding for debt advisory services, as well as managing pension and money guidance services. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in the strategic procurement and operational transition within our organisation. Day-to-Day of the Role: Lead the end-to-end commercial activities, from strategy development to contract exit, focusing on debt advisory services and pension and money guidance. Manage the transition from existing grant agreements to commercial contracts, ensuring continuity and quality of service. Collaborate with operational and policy teams, finance, legal, and project delivery functions to deliver effective service models. Develop and implement category strategies for the services, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Provide leadership and direction to a small commercial team, ensuring high-quality support and advice. Act as a senior leader within the commercial team, driving transformation and alignment with best practices in government commercial functions. Develop strong relationships with suppliers and grant recipients, enhancing strategic partnerships and operational excellence. Required Skills & Qualifications: Proven experience in managing complexity within commercial activities, ideally in sectors such as education, justice, or social care. Strong understanding of the full commercial lifecycle, including strategy, sourcing, procurement, and contract management. Experience in public sector procurement is essential. Ability to manage risks effectively, with a clear understanding of market drivers and behaviours. Decisive and capable of thriving in a dynamic environment; able to make sound decisions quickly. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships across various levels of an organisation. Leadership skills with a focus on coaching and development, fostering an inclusive team environment. Preferably a mix of public and private sector experience. Desirable: Membership in the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply. Benefits: Competitive daily rate. Flexible working arrangements with the option for remote work. Opportunity to lead significant transformational projects within a major organisation. Exposure to high-level strategic management and operations. If you are interested please apply online today