The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Help shape the future of digital services in Reading
We're looking for an experienced Digital & IT Contract and Commercial Manager to become Reading Borough Council's lead technology commercial specialist.
This is a highly influential role at the heart of our Digital & IT service. You'll provide strategic oversight of a diverse portfolio of technology suppliers, applications and digital services, helping ensure we deliver secure, reliable and value-for-money services for residents, businesses and colleagues across the Council.
Working with senior leaders, procurement specialists, legal services and technology teams, you'll lead the commercial management of our digital estate, overseeing contracts covering cloud services, SaaS applications, infrastructure, managed services and software licensing.
This is an opportunity to build and shape a developing function, improving supplier performance, strengthening governance, reducing risk and identifying opportunities to modernise and optimise the Council's technology landscape.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
You'll:
- Lead the commercial management of the Council's Digital & IT supplier portfolio.
- Act as the Council's trusted adviser on technology contracts, licensing and supplier performance.
- Develop strong strategic relationships with key technology partners.
- Negotiate contract changes, service improvements and commercial outcomes that deliver value for money.
- Drive supplier accountability through effective governance, performance management and service improvement initiatives.
- Support major digital transformation programmes by ensuring commercial arrangements remain aligned to business needs.
- Identify opportunities to rationalise applications, reduce costs and improve the effectiveness of our digital estate.
- Provide commercial insight and assurance to senior management and governance boards.
About you
We're interested in people who combine strong commercial skills with an understanding of technology.
You'll bring experience of managing technology contracts and suppliers and be comfortable working with a range of services including software licensing, SaaS solutions, cloud platforms and managed services.
Most importantly, you'll be able to translate commercial, technical and supplier risks into clear advice and practical solutions that help stakeholders make informed decisions.
Why join us?
Digital services are critical to everything we do. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic technology decisions, shape supplier relationships and play a key role in delivering better digital outcomes for Reading.
You'll join a collaborative team with a strong appetite for improvement and innovation, where your expertise will have a visible impact across the organisation.
You’ll also be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact [email protected]
Closing Date: Sunday 9th August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
