Head of Commercial Services

Role Overview

This senior leader will shape how the Bank buys goods and services, manages suppliers, and provides workplaces and facilities across its operations. The role brings commercial, property, workplace, payment and safety activities under a coordinated, evidence-led approach to improve value and service while protecting continuity, compliance and the needs of colleagues and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the Commercial Services strategy, operating model and multi-year priorities, and manage the function’s budget, benefits and performance measures.
• Use spend, demand and market analysis to identify savings and investment opportunities, assess total ownership costs, and advise business and Finance leaders on commercial choices.
• Direct sourcing, tendering, negotiations and contracting; manage contract obligations, renewals, disputes and benefits, and strengthen supplier performance and relationships.
• Oversee purchasing and payment processes, including purchase order discipline, invoice resolution and effective supplier payment, while improving source-to-pay controls.
• Manage the Bank’s property portfolio and workplace plans, including leases, landlord relationships, occupancy, facilities, utilities, maintenance, relocations and capital projects.
• Advance digital tools, automation and management information across procurement, contracts, supplier oversight and facilities, using analytics to improve service and productivity.
• Lead commercial and third-party risk controls, including due diligence, continuity planning, safety and building compliance, incident response, audit actions and regulatory matters.
• Build an inclusive, capable team and effective partnerships across business units, CODO, Finance, Risk, Legal, Compliance, Technology, Security and Group functions; embed sustainability and responsible sourcing in decision-making.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Commerce, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Property or Facilities Management, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in procurement or commercial management, supplier management, property or facilities, or enterprise services, including substantial senior leadership responsibility.
• Evidence of managing significant budgets, complex negotiations, strategic suppliers, outsourced services or a multi-site property portfolio.
• Experience in financial services or another highly regulated, complex organisation is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated results in cost management, service improvement, risk reduction, digital change, sustainability and stakeholder outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, contract lifecycle management, third-party risk, continuity and supplier exit planning.
• Ability to apply spend analytics, demand management, should-cost and total-cost-of-ownership methods, alongside benefits tracking and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of property leasing, workplace planning, facilities operations, project governance, occupational safety, environmental requirements and building compliance.
• Familiarity with source-to-pay controls, digital procurement, workflow automation, data visualisation and responsible use of AI-supported analytics.
• A postgraduate qualification or MBA is an advantage. CIPS or an equivalent procurement credential is strongly preferred; relevant facilities, property, project management, sustainability or risk certifications are also beneficial.