Commissioning Contracts Coordinator

About the role

Commissioning Contracts Coordinator

Fixed Term, Full Time

£35,295 to £41,523 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 18 months.

The role of Procurement is to work with stakeholders across ECC to understand requirements for goods and services assess the market and determine the appropriate strategy for each spend area. The team also actively manage strategic suppliers and their contracts.

The Commissioning Contracts Coordinator will manage the delivery and processes in a compliant and timely manner. Directly accountable for assigned contracts and assisting in the strategic management of smaller contracts, ensuring that service level agreements and key performance indicators are monitored, and any improvements are executed. The role will negotiate commercial or contractual terms for contracts worth below £5 million to achieve positive outcomes and ensure contracts keep pace with ECC’s and partners changing requirements.

Effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams and across both internal and external organisations will be essential.

To read more about our business area, please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health

Accountabilities

Lead the development, maintenance and implementation of strategies, ensuring alignment to commissioning objectives.
Develop and implement innovative approaches and solutions in the delivery of complex projects to enhance levels of service and minimise costs. This requires working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and externally, to ensure best practice can be achieved when implementing new ways of working.
Collaborate with Senior Managers and Members as to the commercial and financial viability of differing commercial options for specific projects within complex and at times, contentious environments.
Manage suppliers to ensure they consistently achieve the performance standards set out in contracts and that adequate controls are in place to protect the Authority’s interests. Take a proactive approach to identifying and investigating contractual, commercial and market risks to ensure continuity of supply and protect the Authority’s interests.
Operate a continuous improvement approach to identify and deliver on-going changes whilst also leading the negotiation of commercial and contractual changes to ensure they consistently meet businesses requirements.
Lead projects and tenders, ensuring all sourcing activity fully complies with appropriate legislation and regulation whilst also complying with ECC policies.
Work collaboratively with incumbent suppliers and potential new entrants to identify gaps in market provision and explore opportunities to close those gaps.
Provide support and advice to stakeholders regarding any contractual or procurement matters.
Monitor and report on financial performance, ensuring targets, compliance and relevant regulations are met. Develop dashboards, support audits, and coordinate with the Programme Manager to ensure accurate financial management.
Support the adoption of best practice approaches with the aim of ensuring that the Procurement function is seen as ‘best in class’. Ensure policies, procedures, documents and workflows are kept up-to-date and remain best in class.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to RQF level 5 within a relevant professional qualification such as MCIPS or working towards such a qualification or equivalent demonstrable work experience with evidence of continuing professional development.
Knowledge of commissioning and experience of using this methodology in complex commercial environments to deliver programmes on time and within budget.
A demonstrable track record of managing contracts in business critical environments. This should include evidence of defining, measuring and improving key elements of supplier performance.
Evidence of some experience of delivering continuous improvements in strategic arrangements for training and development programmes with evidence of generating cost and service benefits.
Evidence of some knowledge of contract law and legislation relevant to the specific category / categories within their control and its impact on market management, finance and contractual arrangements.
Proven experience in engaging and collaborating with employers, training providers, colleges, and universities to understand their needs and requirements, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Bootcamp Programme.
Comprehensive negotiating skills appropriate to multi million pound contracts and experience of planning and delivering successful negotiations.
An awareness of working in a political environment.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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