Location
London Borough of Croydon

Hours
Permanent – 36 hours per week

Salary
Grade 10 £43,680 - £45,750

About the Role
As a Contracts & Commissioning Officer within Children Services at Croydon Council, you will deliver excellent support to all commissioning and contract management activities across early help, early years, child health, education, children with SEN and disabilities, and children’s social care. You will ensure best practice contract management and monitoring frameworks are in place and applied throughout the contract lifecycle. This includes establishing and reviewing KPIs, ensuring performance information is provided and reviewed, conducting external performance benchmarking, and working collaboratively with contractors and clients to ensure effective service delivery planning, continuous improvement, benefit realisation, and reporting.

Additionally, you will plan and deliver publicity campaigns that raise awareness of children, young people, education and health (CYPE+H) services using innovative promotional methods. You will also provide support to service leaders in promoting their areas of work to assist in increasing service take-up.

Croydon Council is committed to financial sustainability, partnership working with diverse communities and businesses, strengthening collaboration with partners and voluntary sectors, embedding good governance, and developing a workforce that respects community diversity. The role supports key business plan outcomes including creating opportunities for business and learning, enabling children and young people to thrive, and fostering a cleaner, safer, and healthier borough.

Experience
Proven experience in commissioning and contract management, including knowledge of the financial and legal frameworks governing contracts. Strong negotiation skills to engage with providers and secure service improvements. Experience in project management and supporting projects within public health, education, children’s social care, or health sectors. Demonstrable success in managing contracts to ensure best value and optimum service levels.

About you
You will have good project management knowledge and a clear understanding of the commissioning cycle and its impact on project and contract management. You are able to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver continuous improvement and benefit realisation. You are motivated to support service leaders in promoting their work and increasing service engagement.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in commissioning, contract management, project management, or related fields are desirable. A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults is essential. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check if required by the role.