Contracts Officer - 05584

West Berkshire Council; Newbury; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

West Berkshire Council is seeking a Contracts Officer to join Education Services, reporting to the Complaints, Quality and Contracts Manager. The role supports contract management across Children’s Services, delivering high‑quality services for local children, young people and families.

You will assist with procurement and commissioning of contracts, monitor provider performance, conduct contract reviews, manage variations and invoicing, and support data reporting for informed decision‑making.

Qualifications

• Experience in contracts or procurement in a public sector context.
• Strong contract management knowledge and practices.
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
• Clear written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with procurement and commissioning of new contracts, including bespoke contracts for children in care packages and specialist education provision
• Monitoring and reviewing provider performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations are met and quality services are delivered
• Conducting regular contract reviews and providing appropriate challenge to providers where necessary
• Managing contract variations and extensions alongside fee negotiations
• Supporting the processing of invoices and ensuring accurate financial monitoring
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to identify contract requirements and specifications

Skills

Contracts / procurement

Contract management principles

Organisational skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Independent working

Job description

Are you an experienced contracts professional looking for an exciting opportunity within the public sector? West Berkshire Council is seeking a Contracts Officer to join our Education Services team, reporting to the Complaints, Quality and Contracts Manager.

This is a fantastic role for someone who is passionate about contract management and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to local children, young people and families. While the role sits within the Education Service, it works across both Education and Children's Social Care, providing a varied and rewarding opportunity to support a range of commissioned services and stakeholders.

The Role

As a Contracts Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the effective management and administration of contracts across Children's Services. Your responsibilities will include:

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the procurement and commissioning of new contracts, including bespoke contracts for children in care packages and specialist education provision
• Monitoring and reviewing provider performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations are met and quality services are delivered
• Conducting regular contract reviews and providing appropriate challenge to providers where necessary
• Managing contract variations and extensions alongside fee negotiations
• Supporting the processing of invoices and ensuring accurate financial monitoring
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders to identify contract requirements and specifications

In addition to contract management, you will contribute to data collection and reporting, ensuring that accurate information is maintained to support service analysis, performance monitoring and informed decision-making. The role provides the opportunity to work with a broad range of colleagues and providers across both Education and Children's Social Care.

This is a fixed-term role until 02/08/2027 (Maternity Cover).

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Experience working in a contracts or procurement role, ideally within a public sector environment
• Sound knowledge of contract management principles and practices
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders
• Attention to detail and accuracy when handling data and information
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a highly effective team, working across Children’s Services supporting both Education and Social Care colleagues. You will be contributing to the commissioning and management of services that make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families in West Berkshire

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sue O'Brien on 01635 503528 or email [e-mail]

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This role requires a standard DBS check

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council https://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications

AI in Applications

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We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.