Contract Management Officer (Short Term Beds)

Department: Adult Social Care / Partnership Commissioning

Reports to: Programme Lead – Accommodation and Registered Services

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in improving the experience of Medway residents as they move between hospital and community-based services. You will be part of a supportive, forward‑thinking Commissioning team working at the heart of Medway’s health and care system.

We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Contract Management Officer to support the delivery and oversight of our short‑term beds programme, including Discharge to Assess (D2A), assessment beds, and services designed to support timely hospital discharge.

This role is central to ensuring safe, person‑centred transitions from acute settings into assessment and longer‑term care arrangements. You will work closely with providers, partners and system leaders to ensure capacity is used effectively, performance is closely monitored, and outcomes for individuals continue to improve.

Key Responsibilities

Contract & Programme Management

• Manage the Discharge to Assess beds contract, ensuring safe, effective and person‑centred transfers from hospital to assessment beds and onward to long‑term care.
• Support the Programme Lead in delivering a robust contract management function across all short‑term bed services.
• Monitor contract performance, identify risks, and take proactive action to maintain contract compliance and programme delivery.
• Ensure flow through all bed types supports timely hospital discharge and system efficiency.

Data, Performance & Financial Oversight

• Develop, collect and report key performance indicators to track delivery, outcomes, and pressures.
• Lead financial monitoring processes and contribute to reporting systems that support budget and savings targets.
• Update programme plans, activity data and performance trackers to inform governance and decision‑making.
• Prepare papers, reports and presentations for governance boards and senior management across Medway Council, NHS Kent & Medway ICB, and Medway & Swale Health & Care Partnership.

System Leadership & Partnership Working

• Lead and coordinate system meetings to support operational oversight and effective flow across services.
• Work in partnership with providers, NHS colleagues and wider agencies to maximise service impact and ensure high‑quality outcomes for individuals.
• Undertake analysis of need, demand and performance to identify issues early and support whole‑system improvements.
• Build strong relationships that reflect and promote the One Medway Council Plan, modelling our values and behaviours.

About You

You will bring:

• Experience in contract management, programme support, commissioning or performance reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data to drive informed decisions.
• Confidence in preparing high‑quality reports and presenting to senior leaders.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• A collaborative approach with the ability to work across organisational boundaries

In return we will offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers

Career Progression Framework

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Our organisation

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile
• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
• Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
• Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age
• For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online
• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.

All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 332878.