Commercial Manager - P&C Pre-Contract

Job title: Commercial Manager - Pre-Contract
Salary: £60,000
Grade: Band 3
Contract type: TfL
Reference: 4582
Team: Procurement and Commercial
Contract details: Perm
Location: Palestra/Hybrid

Application closing date: 3rd October @ 23.59

Please Note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications; therefore, we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Application Guidance: There are multiple opportunities across several teams. Please submit one application only and do not apply for both the Pre-Contract and Post-Contract roles.

Hiring managers will review applications and match candidates to the opportunity that best aligns with their skills and experience. Please ensure your CV clearly demonstrates your relevant commercial expertise and achievements.

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right‑to‑work checks.  Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.  At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.   

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.  

Help Shape the Contracts Behind London's Transport Network

At TfL, we're responsible for one of the world's largest and most complex integrated transport networks. Every day, millions of people rely on our services to keep London moving, and behind every successful project, programme and service is a strong commercial function delivering value, innovation and commercial excellence.

We're looking for experienced Commercial Managers with a focus on the Procurement Planning to Contract Award stage to join our Procurement & Commercial team and play a key role in shaping the procurement  strategies that support major infrastructure and operations across London.

This is a opportunity for commercially minded, procurement and sourcing professionals who enjoy influencing strategic decision-making, leading complex procurements and delivering value from the very start of the commercial lifecycle.

Why Join TfL? | Commercial Manager (Pre-Contract)

Be at the forefront of some of London's most ambitious infrastructure programmes or the beating heart of TfL’s complex operational networks, ensuring our critical supply chain deliver for our city.

As a Pre-Contract Commercial Manager, you'll shape the commercial strategy from developing procurement approaches and influencing investment decisions to leading major sourcing exercises worth millions of pounds, you'll play a critical role in ensuring TfL secures the right partners, at the right value, to keep London moving.

This isn't just procurement.  You'll work alongside senior stakeholders, challenge thinking, influence outcomes and help deliver projects that millions of Londoners rely on every day.

If you're passionate about strategic sourcing, negotiation and driving value from the outset, this is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark on one of the world's most iconic transport networks.

Our Procurement and Commercial (P&C) function, is far reaching and diverse, supporting all areas of TfL programmes and operations. We have recently stood up our Category lead structure, bringing together activities that help us harness the best value for money and develop our people. That makes it a great time to join us and help shape our category approaches and secure great outcomes.

What You'll Be Doing

Working within one our pre-contract team, you'll help define and deliver procurement strategies for some of TfL's most significant contracts and frameworks.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing category and sourcing strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Leading complex end-to-end procurement exercises and competitive tender processes.
• Advising stakeholders on commercial models, procurement routes and contracting strategies.
• Building business cases and supporting investment decisions.
• Working closely with technical, operational, legal and finance teams to understand business requirements.
• Evaluating supplier markets and identifying opportunities for innovation and value creation.
• Negotiating commercial agreements and managing contract award activities.
• Ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.

About You

You'll bring:

• Significant commercial, procurement or sourcing experience.
• A track record of delivering complex procurements within infrastructure, transport, engineering, utilities or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent commercial judgement and negotiation capability.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and driving value-for-money outcomes.
• The confidence to engage and challenge senior stakeholders while delivering commercial solutions.

About The Different Areas

We are looking for people to join our team with your first assignment being in one of the following areas. This is subject to change depending on business need.

Rolling Stock 

The Rolling Stock Team leads upon procurement and commercial activities for the end-to end Rolling Stock Asset lifecycle: Acquisition, Maintenance, Renewals and disposal of TfL’s Rolling Stock. We work across London Underground, DLR, Elizabeth line, Trams, Engineering Vehicles and London Overground modes.

Highways & Utilities 

The Highways & Utilities team lead commercial activity for the delivery of critical transport infrastructure, utility services and decarbonisation programmes. We support the operation of and future development of London’s transport network.

Corporate Services

The Corporate Services team manages a diverse supplier bas ranging from multinational consultancies and media agencies to social enterprises, charities, facilities management providers and specialist service organisations. The team supports both TfL operations and wider public-sector priorities.

Construction & Programmes

The construction & Programmes Teams lead the procurement, commercial and contract management activities for major infrastructure, station, depot and investment construction programmes. Experience in construction and NEC contracts is required in this area.

Category Delivery 

Category Delivery Services are agile procurement delivery teams, providing fast, practical commercial support for critical and urgent business requirements. We work across a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple categories, delivering procurement solutions and short-term contract management that help teams achieve their objective quickly compliantly and efficiently.

Application Process    

• Please apply using your CV only 

• Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV 

• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images 

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver better services and outcomes. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we aim to offer an assessment or interview to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum essential criteria for skills, knowledge and experience has been met. In some circumstances, it may not be practical to offer an interview or assessment to every candidate who applies through the scheme and meet the minimum essential criteria; in these situations, we select candidates who best meet the minimum criteria for the job rather than interviewing all who meet them. 

Across all recruitment activity, we recognise that selection methods may vary depending on the nature and scale of the campaign and will be applied fairly, consistently and proportionately in line with our Disability Confident commitments.    

Benefits  

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below: 
 

• Final salary pension scheme  
• Free travel for you on the TfL network  
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home 
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays 
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow 
• Private healthcare discounted scheme Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme 
  Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
• Discounted Eurostar travel 

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice. 

Vetting Process 

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/our-vetting-process) explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.