Head of Procurement & Commercial

Reporting into – Director of Procurement & Commercial 

Contract – Permanent

Vacancy type – Full time

Band - 5

Location – Southwark or Stratford, with 50% hybrid working

About Us

Transport for London (TfL) is one of the world’s most recognised and successful integrated transport authorities. Every day, we enable millions of journeys and deliver projects that shape London’s future. Our role extends well beyond transport: we drive innovation, sustainability and economic growth across the UK through one of the nation’s largest and most complex supply chains.

Managing a £10bn annual budget, TfL plays a vital role in keeping London moving and thriving. With major infrastructure projects planned and long-term partnerships with strategic suppliers, this is a rare opportunity to lead at scale and shape the future of London for generations to come.

About the Role

Our Procurement & Commercial function is central to ensuring value, resilience and social impact across all TfL delivers. With a portfolio of multi‑billion‑pound capital programmes combining cutting‑edge technology with major civil engineering, this is a pivotal moment to join a leadership team operating at genuine strategic scale.

As Head of Procurement & Commercial, you will be a key adviser and influencer at Director level, shaping commercial strategy, supplier partnerships and investment decisions. You will lead multiple embedded commercial teams, delivering end‑to‑end services across procurement, contract management, supplier relationship management and negotiation. You will drive strategic change and continuous improvement, embedding a strong commercial mindset and capability across the organisation.

You will guide the team’s strategic direction, while personally intervening on the most complex and sensitive commercial matters, ensuring clarity, strong challenge and disciplined decision‑making. You will also be a visible leader in strengthening commercial capability across TfL and in driving long-term, collaborative supplier partnerships that support an affordable, sustainable and world‑class transport network.

About You

You are an experienced senior commercial leader who thrives in large-scale, complex environments. You bring the credibility, judgement and presence to influence Executive stakeholders, navigate political interfaces and lead strategic supplier engagements at the highest level.

Your experience includes commercial leadership on major capital programmes with significant engineering and technological complexity. You will have operated in transport, utilities, aviation, civil engineering or another highly regulated sector.

You combine strategic commercial acumen with the ability to engage with detail when necessary. You are comfortable balancing competing priorities, challenging assumptions and shaping decisions that drive long‑term value and performance.

You are an inclusive, people‑centred leader with a strong track record of developing capability, coaching senior professionals and creating a high‑performance culture. Your leadership style is defined by clarity, energy and confidence – particularly in complex or ambiguous situations.

Key strengths include first-rate negotiation skills, proven partnership delivery expertise and deep knowledge of NEC contracts or public-sector procurement environments. Ideally, you are a chartered professional (e.g. MRICS) or eligible for accreditation through experience or further learning.

Skills needed:

• Proven leadership experience in delivering value through procurement and commercial activity on large-scale infrastructure programmes within a regulated, safety-critical organisation. (Essential)
• A proven track record of shaping and operating in a variety of different partnering based delivery models. (Essential)
• Demonstrable expertise in procurement and contract management in a public-sector or regulated environment, or extensive practical experience with NEC3 contracts. (Essential)
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK and EU legislation governing commercial and procurement activities, including compliance and governance requirements.
• Significant experience managing major contractual disputes, claims and settlements within an NEC environment. (Essential)
• Extensive experience in contracting, negotiation and change management. (Essential)
• Strong capability in developing and sustaining long-term strategic supplier relationships.
• Degree-level education or equivalent senior commercial experience.
• Corporate membership of RICS, or eligibility to achieve membership via experience or assessment.

Application Process 

Please submit an up‑to‑date copy of your CV (no more than 2 A4 pages, Arial size 12) along with a cover letter (no more than 1 A4 page, Arial size 12).

We recommend that you consider the motivations, skills, knowledge and experience required for this role and ensure your application outlines where you meet these criteria.

For a copy of the job description or any questions on the recruitment process, please contact Cilla Thompson on talentacquisitionandexecutiverecruitment@tfl.gov.uk

Closing date for applications will be Sunday 3rd May at 23:59hrs. Please note that if we receive a large number of applications, we will close the advert early. We anticipate for 1st stage interviews to be held in May 2026.

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

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

We will be holding a Spotlight session, where you can learn more about the role and have the opportunity to ask the hiring manager questions. This will be held at 11am on the 30th of April. To be added onto the event please email your interest over to this  address- talentacquisitionandexecutiverecruitment@tfl.gov.uk

Equality, diversity, and inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

Our city. Made better by you. 

TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future. 

Hybrid Working 

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.

Vetting Process 

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter explains the checks we may 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.  

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 and business area but mostly include:

• 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 or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket.
• 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. 50% time in the office.
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional).
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme.
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers.
• Discounted Eurostar travel.
• TfL employees can access electric vehicles through salary sacrifice, making them more affordable. Whether brand-new or preloved, the scheme helps you save on tax and NI while making a greener choice.

Terms and conditions:

NPL Applications 

Applications to internally advertised roles can only be accepted from temporary workers who are on PAYE terms via agency, or PAYE via Umbrella Companies. Temporary workers who are paid through their own limited companies are not covered by the Agency Worker Regulations and are ineligible to apply. 

NPL members of staff are not eligible to apply to secondment opportunities.