Officer – Contracts

Job Introduction

About Us
At Oxfordshire County Council, we are committed to creating a greener, fairer and healthier county. Our Highway Maintenance Service plays a vital role in keeping Oxfordshire moving by maintaining and improving over 3,000 miles of roads, footways, drainage assets and associated highway infrastructure. We are delivering one of the largest highway maintenance programmes in the country, investing millions of pounds each year in both planned and reactive maintenance. Working collaboratively with our delivery partners, local communities, parish councils and elected members, we strive to provide safe, resilient and sustainable highways that support residents, businesses and visitors. This is an exciting time to join our service as we continue to modernise our approach through data-driven decision making, innovation, digital technologies and a strong focus on customer service and continuous improvement.

About the Role
Are you looking for an opportunity to play a key role in delivering and managing contracts that support essential highway and infrastructure services across Oxfordshire?

As a Contracts Officer, you will provide technical and professional support to ensure contracts are effectively administered, monitored and managed. Working closely with contract managers, operational teams, contractors and suppliers, you will help ensure contractual obligations are met, performance standards are achieved and public funds are used efficiently.

This is a varied role where no two days are the same. You will be responsible for maintaining contract documentation, monitoring contractor performance, supporting procurement activities, managing financial processes including applications for payment and invoicing, and helping resolve contractual issues. You will also contribute to performance reporting, compliance monitoring and continuous improvement initiatives that support the delivery of high-quality services for residents. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your contract management expertise within a large and diverse organisation while contributing to the delivery of vital highway maintenance and infrastructure programmes across the county.

About you
We're looking for a highly organised and motivated individual with strong analytical skills and a keen eye for detail. You will have experience working with complex information and be confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. You will bring excellent communication and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders. You'll be comfortable using your judgement to solve problems, make informed decisions and support the effective management of contracts and associated financial processes. Ideally, you will have experience in contract administration, procurement, compliance, highways, construction or a related operational environment. Knowledge of contract management practices, financial controls and performance monitoring would be advantageous, along with strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office and contract management systems. Most importantly, you'll be someone who takes pride in delivering high standards of work, enjoys collaborating with others and is committed to helping deliver efficient and effective services for Oxfordshire's communities.

Rewards and benefits

• Flexible working culture
• Technology for agile working
• Up to 33 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Option to buy extra leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Local Government pension scheme (up to 19.9% employer’s contribution)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Shopping and travel discounts
• Learning and development opportunities
  
  Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.
  Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
  
  Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
  As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
  
  Our commitment to: Safeguarding
  Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
  
  Our commitment to: Flexible Working
  We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system or want to know more about this role, please contact us at: stephen.fitzgerald@oxfordshire.gov.uk