Contracts Officer, Children's Services

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Contract Officer to join our motivated Children's Services Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Contracts Officer, you will play an important role in supporting the team to follow our Contract Management Framework. You will handle key tasks to ensure contracts are managed effectively and efficiently, while providing timely and helpful support to both colleagues within the council and external customers.

This role sits within the Children's Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning Team, which plays a central role in transforming the way services (internal and external) are designed based on local needs, commissioned, delivered, and monitored in order to deliver quality services and improved outcomes.

Commissioning is all about the most effective and efficient way of using all the available resources to improve outcomes for children, young people, and their families

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

An excellent local government pension scheme

Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

A range of local & lifestyle discounts

An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

And much more

Key responsibilities

- To undertake the core administrative activities for contract management including issuing contracts to Providers, overseeing provider due diligence checks, managing communication with providers when notifying of changes to contracts, managing requests and coordinating arrangements required in relation to new contracts and changes to existing contracts.
- To support the delivery of the Contract Management Framework for Children's Services.
- Act as Contract Lead for contracts under the responsibility of the Strategy, Transformation & Commissioning team with an annual value of c.£20,000 or less, undertaking day-to-day contract management and supplier relationship management activities throughout the contract lifecycle.
- To provide specialist/professional contract advice and recommendations within specific
parameters, to support informed decision making.

Candidate requirements:

- Good standard of education, including excellent literacy and numeracy skills - GCSE Maths and English.
- Experience of assisting in delivering change particularly in relation to process improvement.
- Experience of writing effective briefings and strategic documents.
- A thorough understanding of contracts, including key clauses, compliance requirements, and the ability to interpret and apply contractual terms to ensure effective service delivery and risk management.

Our area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today

Alternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Carey Tulloch

Closing Date: Sunday 23rd November 2025, 11pm

Interview Date: TBC

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

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