Senior Contract Officer

About the Senior Contract Officer role

This role sits within the Contract Management Team, part of the wider Commercial Team – People Services.  We are looking for an individual who has the skills, knowledge and expertise to support our portfolio of strategic contracts, including the Integrated Lifestyle Service, Dementia Support Services and Primary Care. The post-holder will also play a key role in service development and the review and shaping of future commissioned services.

To be effective in these roles you will:

• Be driven by positive service user outcomes and continuous improvement of services
• Be able to deliver a relationship focussed approach to contract management 
• Be educated to degree level or hold an equivalent professional qualification/relevant experience
• Be proficient in data analysis to effectively evaluate performance and service intelligence
• Be able to work independently, make decisions and identify and escalate risk
• Be commercially aware and forward thinking

This position is 25.5 hours per week and the exact working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role enjoys the flexibility of hybrid working, with the team working collaboratively from our Lincoln office each Tuesday. There is also the potential for travel across the County as part of the role. 

About the Commercial Team – People Services

The Commercial Team - People Services is responsible for the procurement and contract management of over 600 individual contracts. Its extensive work programme covers Adult Social Care and Public Health Services. The combined annual spend of this activity is circa. £250 million, and our work programme includes a very diverse range of Procurement, Contract Management and Market Development projects. The team is responsible for ensuring contracts are commissioned, procured, and managed effectively, at the same time ensuring a safe, effective, and positive service is delivered to the most vulnerable people in Lincolnshire. 

The team offers a friendly and welcoming environment, with excellent managerial and peer support, and frequent opportunities for training and development. New starters are offered a comprehensive induction programme and mentoring opportunities are available. The team has successfully embraced the Smarter Working Policy and operates on a mixture of home and office-based working, embracing a healthy work/life balance. The team’s nominal work location is on the main County Council campus in the heart of the historic Lincoln city centre, just a stone’s throw from the renowned leisure attractions of Brayford Waterfront.

Working for Lincolnshire County Council

Our comprehensive range of additional benefits includes:-

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, widely recognised as one of the leading contributory pension schemes on the market
• Annual leave entitlement of 28 days (increased after 5 years’ continuous local government service), together with Bank Holidays and the option to purchase additional leave
• Varied local and national discount schemes, plus cycle to work and green car leasing initiatives
• ‘Smarter Working’ - flexible working patterns encompassing home and office-based working, and flexi-time
• Comprehensive wellbeing offer for all staff, including dedicated occupational health support
• Professional support, learning and development, with internal and external training opportunities

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure

Next steps

If you have any questions about the role, or would like more information please contact Sarah Mitchell, Contract Manager, via e-mail sarah.mitchell@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Closing date: Midnight Thursday 2nd May 

Interview Date: Week commencing 13th May 

We look forward to receiving your application!

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.