Commercial And Contracts Investigating Lead

Connect2Dorset; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency is seeking a Commercial & Contracts Investigating Lead to support a Procurement Programme. The role involves analysing opportunities for savings and improving contract governance, working in a hybrid model based in Dorchester. Experience in commercial contracts and procurement is essential. Salary is £500 per day for an initial 3-month contract.

Responsibilities

• Support and undertake aspects of the Commission and Procurement Programme.
• Complete investigations, analysis, and production of a detailed list of opportunities.
• Identify and articulate in-year cashable savings.

Job description

Overview

Commercial & Contracts Investigating Lead.

37 Hours a week

Hybrid/Remote – there could be occasions when you will be required to attend meetings at Dorset Council offices in Dorchester.

Contract length: 3 months

Rate: £500 a day

Outside IR35

EEO: Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Responsibilities

• Support and undertake aspects of the following:
• The Commission and Procurement Programme — identify that scaling a programme of this nature requires specialist expertise beyond typical council resources; recognise that some roles (e.g., cost analysts and commercial quality assurance leads) may not be available in the longer-term service delivery.
• Investigations may involve senior staff including directors and may require direct challenge and scrutiny; ensure appropriate placement and safeguards for staff.
• CPP Programme Manager responsibilities include defining a programme of works and developing a resource and cost profile to support these works.
• Complete investigations, analysis, and production of a detailed list of opportunities with an activity plan to secure them within the current financial year, aiming for in-year savings targets.
• Consider and balance factors when determining opportunities to progress, including:
  • Contract content (roll-off times, exit strategies, etc.)
  • Internal governance and decision-making processes
  • Financial reporting periods
  • Cabinet reporting requirements (if applicable)

Scope of Works

• Use external specialist resources to support the design of a future-state commercial architecture and upfront design of a programme and its scope, including income opportunity analysis.
• 3rd Party Spend: undertake direct investigations of areas/contracts identified for deeper scrutiny; assess and recommend reductions and/or consolidation of 3rd party spend types; articulate in-year cashable savings and the route to contract closure with a delivery forecast.
• Support early termination activity; review, scrutiny, and oversight of new contracts; strengthen and secure frameworks with procurement.
• Identify opportunities within frameworks, work with the procurement team to understand alternatives, and stand up or consolidate existing frameworks where possible.
• Recommend tools and guidance to support commercial activity and identify opportunities related to the Council's commercial position.
• Open opportunities: review PwC findings and provide a framework plan for further investigation; assess Stop/Go/Delay decisions linked to 3rd Party Spend and broader commissioning activity.
• Proactively identify underperforming contracts and opportunities for reimbursement; explore additional income sources (bids, grants, service charges) where capacity constraints limited prior optimization.
• Produce reports to highlight areas for commercial improvement and recommended actions.

Outcomes & Benefits

• Consolidation & standardisation
• Spend reduction and income generation
• Ways of working improvements
• Governance & quality assurance, demand management