Commissioning and Contracts Support Officer | Full Time, Fixed Term | Learning Disability, Autism & Mental Health | Preston

Lancashire County Council; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is advertising a fixed-term Commissioning and Contract Support Officer role in the Learning Disability, Autism & Mental Health Commissioning and Contract Management Team. Based in Preston with hybrid working, the post supports commissioning projects, contract management, market development and service improvement across Adult Social Care services.

You will gather intelligence, monitor performance, and help inform commissioning decisions while building strong

Qualifications

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage a varied workload.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Experience using ICT systems (Word/Outlook/Excel) is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support commissioning, contract management, market management and service improvement activities.
• Assist with provider assurance, contract monitoring and market development.
• Produce reports and maintain provider risk profiles to inform governance.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

ICT literacy

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Salary £29,071 - £33,119 per annum | 37 hours per week | Full Time, Fixed Term | Commissioning and Contract Management | Learning Disability, Autism & Mental Health | Preston (Hybrid Working)

About the role...

We are delighted to be able to offer a fixed-term Commissioning and Contract Support Officer post within the Learning Disability, Autism and Mental Health Commissioning and Contract Management Team.

As a Commissioning and Contract Support Officer, you will support the delivery of commissioning, contract management, market management and service improvement activity across a range of Adult Social Care services. Your work will contribute to the development of high-quality, sustainable and value-for-money services that improve outcomes for Lancashire residents.

The role involves supporting commissioning projects, service reviews and market management activity through research, analysis and performance monitoring. You will work with providers, partners and colleagues to gather intelligence, support service improvement and help inform commissioning decisions.

You will assist with provider assurance, contract monitoring and market development activities, using performance, quality and safeguarding information to identify emerging risks and support appropriate interventions. You will also contribute to maintaining provider risk profiles and producing reports that inform governance and decision-making processes.

Working collaboratively across the Strategic Commissioning & Quality Service and wider directorate, you will help ensure information is shared effectively and that commissioned services continue to deliver high-quality outcomes for people across Lancashire.

What we are looking for…

• We are looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals who can work effectively as part of a team and manage a varied workload. You will have strong organisational skills and be able to work to deadlines while maintaining a high standard of accuracy.
• You will have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and be confident in building and maintaining positive working relationships with providers, colleagues and other stakeholders. Experience of using ICT systems, including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, is essential.
• The successful candidates will be able to use analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate information, identify issues and support evidence-based recommendations. Experience within commissioning, contract management, Adult Social Care or a related field would be advantageous but is not essential, as training and support will be provided.
• You will demonstrate a positive attitude, a commitment to continuous improvement and a passion for supporting the delivery of effective services that achieve positive outcomes for Lancashire residents.

Job Description and Person Specification

Closing date for applications: 2nd November 2026

Additional Information

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, found on our website here.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

DBS

The post you are applying for is covered by theRehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.