Contracts Officer
| Posting date: | 20 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,626 to £41,511 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 July 2025 |
| Location: | Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RQ |
| Company: | West Sussex County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | CPP01113_1750407065 |
Summary
We are seeking a dedicated Contracts Officer to oversee a portfolio of medium, high risk and value complex contracts that are vital to serving our communities effectively.
The Communities Directorate encompasses a diverse range of services, several of which operate at a countywide scale to deliver essential universal customer-facing functions, such as Refugees, Resettlement & Migration Service, Registration, Coroners services, the Customer Service Centre, and Library & Heritage services.
If you can deliver a demanding procurement and contract management service, possess exceptional influencing and negotiating skills, and approach challenges with a dedicated and methodical mindset - we genuinely want to hear from you!
Salary: £38,626 to £41,511 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Location: County Hall, West Street, Chichester PO19 1RQ
Interview Date: 14th - 18rd July 2025.
The role will provide a hybrid working arrangement, with a preference for two at least days per week based at a County Council building. The final arrangements will be confirmed with the successful candidate.
About the job:
As a Contracts Officer, you will deliver a customer-focused and efficient service, contributing to the directorate's objectives of securing best-value contractual services through the effective management of a portfolio of medium-risk, medium-value contracts.
You will be based in the Refugees, Resettlement & Migration Service, offering a unique experience each day, filled with unexpected challenges and rewards! There are several key responsibilities that are likely to be integral to this role, including:
- Collaborating closely with internal teams and external suppliers, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining key contracts to ensure effective service delivery.
- Manage both an existing portfolio of contracts and a pipeline of new contracts: you will be responsible for initiating, establishing, monitoring, and reviewing contracts with service providers, as well as developing new contracts from the outset-covering procurement through to implementation-to ensure they meet the needs of the service.
- Provide guidance and assistance to senior managers and contract & commissioning officers in fostering innovative contracting practices through strategic contract reviews.
- Negotiate contract amendments to achieve improved terms, ensure value for money, and facilitate effective service maintenance.
- Secure continuous improvement by identifying gaps in provision, collaborating with the provider market to create and develop new opportunities that deliver positive outcomes for our communities.
By joining our passionate, public-value-driven specialist communities directorate, you will pursue a meaningful career and make a real difference in delivering essential services to the residents of West Sussex.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Degree or equivalent qualification, or relevant experience in procurement or contract management, demonstrating applied knowledge in researching, analysing, and evaluating arguments and information.
- Understanding of project management principles and procurement regulations.
- Proven experience in delivering a demanding procurement and contract management service, including responsibility for leading work projects.
- Establish and maintain professional working relationships to facilitate effective interactions with a diverse range of providers and contractors.
- Strong communication skills, with the capacity to confidently influence, advise and explain information effectively to a diverse range of people as well as negotiate and persuade others to adopt a specific course of action.
- Advanced analytical skills to interpret and manipulate diverse and complex data related to services and suppliers.
For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached
Rewards and Benefits
We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.
A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 27 days annual leave rising to 28 days after 5 years' service, plus the opportunity to buy additional leave and an excellent local government pension scheme
A range of discounts give our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.
For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is CPP01113.
For issues or queries regarding your application please contact .
Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Click apply below, upload your CV and cover letter.
Your cover letter should:
- Outline your motivations for applying.
- Explain the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the attached job description).
Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and a health check.
Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.