Contract Officer - Internal Applicants Only

About The Role

We are looking to appoint a dedicated and organised Contracts Officer to become part of our Travel to School (T2S) team. Operating under the Place and Economy Directorate, you will oversee the awarding, management, and maintenance of numerous travel contracts that ensure transport services for children and young people throughout North Northamptonshire. This service supports around 1,500 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children as well as 4,000 mainstream pupils, making this role impactful within local communities.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating bids submitted via the ADAM Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to award transport contracts following established policies and procedures.
• Day-to-day administration of active transport contracts, including timely and accurate processing of amendments and updates.
• Establishing and nurturing positive professional relationships with transport operators and service providers.
• Collaborating with the Compliance Team to resolve contract performance issues and manage contracts in default.
• Utilising data analysis to identify issues and support informed decision-making.
• Ensuring adherence to GDPR and council policies when managing sensitive information.
• Supporting the delivery of safe, efficient, and cost-effective transport services for eligible students.
• Contributing to continuous service improvement and exploring innovative solutions to enhance delivery.

Qualifications and Experience

• GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent qualifications.
• Relevant experience within a commercial environment, local authority, or similar contexts.
• Proven experience managing relationships with third-party providers under contract arrangements.
• Proficiency in IT, particularly Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• High organizational skills with an ability to prioritize tasks and maintain performance under pressure.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions.
• Knowledge of GDPR principles and experience handling sensitive data responsibly.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Desirable knowledge includes Travel to School services, local government procedures, transport policies, procurement regulations, or experience within a policy framework.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Contributory pension scheme with life cover and ill-health protection.
• Wide-ranging opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and career potential within a large unitary council.
• Generous leave allowance starting at 28 days, increasing to 33 days, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
• Flexible and hybrid working options where service needs allow to support work-life balance.
• Additional benefits including Employee Assistance Programme, Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates according to HMRC, and various active Employee Network Groups.

About Us and Our Values

We are committed to a customer-focused, respectful, efficient, supportive, and trustworthy approach. These values shape our interactions, decision-making, and service delivery, reflecting our dedication to local communities' well-being and future success.

Inclusion and Support

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure an inclusive recruitment process and will interview disabled candidates who meet essential job criteria. Our Employment and Disability Service offers tailored support to individuals overcoming employment barriers to help them succeed in their careers. We proudly hold Gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, supporting the armed forces community.