Senior Contracts Officer

Salary: £40,876-£43,857Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hoursContract Length: 18 month fixed-termLocation: ChichesterClosing Date: 6th MarchAs a Senior Contracts Officer, you will be part of a team that will ensure good quality and affordable services areavailable for all residents. Working proactively with existing and emerging markets, you will develop relationships with customers and providers that ensure the services are responsive and meet need with a focus on outcomes and quality.You will be responsiblefor managing a number of medium/high risk value contracts to ensure performance is achieved. The contracts will vary in size and complexity depending on the services being offered and the outcomes required. Supported by the broader team, your role will collateperformance information through the set up and management of routine monitoring processes including regular contractor meetings. You will identify performance issues, agree improvement plans and use your knowledge of the performance levers within contractsto improve outcomes.A key aspect of this role will be the development of outcome-based contract performance measures focused on customer experiences, service quality and financial performance. Your understanding of how outcomes and impact can be agreed andhow these can be achieved through procurement/tendering processes will be critical. In addition, an understanding of market dynamics and market intelligence/development strategies is key.Experience and SkillsKey Skills:Advanced analytical skills in order tointerpret and manipulate varied and complex contract/tender information in relation to services/supplies required by the client, with the ability to organise, plan and meet set targets e.g. for timely progression of tendersHighly developed communication andinterpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of high-level clients and contractors and create and maintain effective working relationships. Including the ability to influence clients/contractors to make decisions they would not otherwise make,to promote understanding of technical procurement/contract information and to successfully advise and guide clients to make sound procurement decisions.Strong problem solving skills with the ability to anticipate problems and resolve issues independently,planning solutions and making pragmatic decisions which could have a direct/wider impact on the business/serviceAbility to deliver a demanding procurement/contract management serviceAbility to forward plan over long term, making effective judgements to continuouslydevelop and review the effectiveness of service and staff to meet deadlines and objectivesEffective people management skills including performance management skills and the ability to provide direction and support to individuals and teams to build and maintainrelationships and influence activitiesExcellent literacy and numeracy skills to understand complex tender documents, contracts and to check statistical financial information in relation to services/suppliesQualifications and/or experience:PRINCE 2 - ProjectManagement - DesirableDegree/equivalent qualification/experience in Procurement/Contract Management, demonstrating the level of applied knowledge in researching, analysing and evaluating arguments and informationRelevant theoretical or organisational knowledgeof systems, procedures and policies associated with operating a demanding procurement/contract managementExperience delivering a high-level procurement/contract management service on behalf of clientsExperience of monitoring or managing complex contracts toensure customers' requirements and business need are metKnowledge of the client service unit to support the process of creating/developing tenders/contractsProject Management skills to effectively manage the procurement processPolitical awareness when workingwith members/senior managementExperience of working with strategic procurement/contract management systems/practices and providing supportExperience of line managing staff or a corporate-focused specialist serviceExperience shaping and supporting initiativesand activities in a political environmentRewards and BenefitsFor a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.Further InformationThe reference number for this role isCAFHE03221For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Lee Jenner. Interim Commissioning Lead on For issues or queries regarding your application please contact To apply, upload your CV and complete the applicationexplaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to 5years referencing and a health check.For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran's Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.