Digital Commercial Manager

Please note, we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Fixed term contract – 6 months

Closing date: 26 November 2025

Interview dates: 08 and 09 December 2025

Make a difference, join our team. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is a modern, vibrant organisation full of passionate, committed people. We make final decisions on complaints that have not been resolved by UK Government departments and the NHS in England. We work closely with people to understand where, how and why public services sometimes fall short and fail to put people first. And we find ways to put it right.

Based in the centre of Manchester, we employ 600 individuals, collaboratively working together to make voices heard. We have created a diverse and inclusive culture, whilst offering flexibility to give you the autonomy to work in the best way suited to you.

The role: This role is responsible for delivering effective commercial and procurement practices across the organisation, with a specific focus on our digital products. It ensures our purchasing is conducted in full compliance with statutory requirements while securing demonstrable value for money, and that our contracts are properly managed.

You will:

• give clear advice on procurement and contract management to help teams meet their goals through strong commercial practices
• manage the full procurement process, from planning and tendering to contract negotiation and ongoing supplier performance
• analyse markets and engage with suppliers to shape requirements and test ideas
• build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, ensuring transparency and collaboration
• ensure risks are effectively managed throughout procurement and commercial activities
• stay up to date with government policies, digital trends, and market changes to guide decisions.

The role is central to ensuring contracts are robust, suppliers deliver on their commitments, and the organisation achieves its strategic aims.

The successful applicant will have:

• extensive experience in public sector procurement of digital goods and services including partnership arrangements, call off contracts, co-development and intellectual property
• demonstrated ability to act as a strategic advisor and partner to internal teams, supporting them in achieving their objectives
• expertise in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts, ensuring compliance and performance monitoring.
• experience of the commercial elements of licensing, cloud computing, capital and revenue funding and the technology/digital lifecycle.
• full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) or equivalent.

We recognise the value of lived experience. If you have experience of complaining about any public body, we strongly encourage you to apply. We know the value of having diverse, representative teams across our organisation. Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented within the team. These include people who are: Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background disabled LGBTQ.

Benefits:

• Civil Service Pension scheme
• 32.5 days annual leave
• hybrid working, 40 percent office based
• flexible working
• access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors
• comprehensive learning and development programme
• employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers
• bicycle loan scheme
• season ticket loan
• gym membership subsidy
• paid for professional memberships
• eye test reimbursement.

Inclusion & Wellbeing

Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service. Actions we take to embed this include:

• an anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased
• monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels
• providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues
• creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs
• part of the disability confident scheme
• providing reasonable adjustments
• engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation.

If you want to join a dedicated team that makes a real difference and helps raise standards in public services, then is the opportunity for you.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Roz Pedersen, Assistant Director of Finance, Roz.Pedersen@ombudsman.org.uk

Interviews will be held onsite.

Please note that we don’t offer feedback at application stage.

PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship as we do not have a licence.

We do not accept CV’s. To apply for the role, please complete the application form by clicking on the ‘apply online’ button.

No agencies. Applications from individuals only.

Important notice: fraudulent job postings

We have been made aware that some websites are falsely advertising job vacancies for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). We only advertise job vacancies through these official channels:

• our website
• LinkedIn
• Civil Service Jobs
• GOV.uk
• Indeed
• Ombudsman association

Do not share personal details with any other websites claiming to represent PHSO. Contact our recruitment team to report any concerns at recruitment@ombudsman.org.uk