Job title: Commercial Projects and Contracts Officer
Salary: £36,124.00 - £37,938.00
Hours: 37 (full time)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds (various office bases)
INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
As a Commercial Projects and Contracts Officer in Leeds City Council’s Climate, Energy and Greenspaces service you’ll support with the delivery of a range of commercial projects across the service and help to ensure that procurement activity is carried out to achieve best value for the service and the council.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Commercial Projects and Contracts Officer, you will:
- Have the ability to manage contracts and commercial projects effectively, with knowledge of procurement procedures and decision making requirements.
- Be able to communicate clearly with a range of people.
- Have the ability to be innovative and apply judgement and analytical skills to resolve problems requiring new and creative long-term solutions.
- Be able to learn information quickly and adopt a methodical approach.
- Have experience and be able to support project work programmes and working under pressure to meet targets.
About the role
Reporting to the Commercial Projects and Contracts Manager the role provides an opportunity to support with the delivery of commercial projects, procurement activity and the management of contracts within the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service.
Initially the role will monitor and manage the Council’s corporate skip waste collection and recycling contract acting as the key contact for all Council services using the contract. Your role will be to ensure the contract is being used effectively to a achieve a high level of environmental and financial performance and resolve any commercial issues that arise through the contract. In addition, you will support with the delivery of a range of commercial projects across the service to ensure they are delivered to a high standard, and also provide support with procurements to ensure that the council’s procurement procedures are being followed effectively to achieve best value.
The post is a hybrid role with opportunities for home and office working, as well as a requirement to visit various sites as required.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Chris O’Brien, Commercial Projects and Contracts Manager. Call 0113 3786362 or email chris.obrien@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
Working as part of the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces team, you will demonstrate the council values and behaviours to help us to achieve our ambition to become the best city council in the country. You will monitor and manage the Council’s corporate skip waste collection contract being the key contact for all Council services using the contract on behalf. You will also support with the delivery of commercial projects, procurement activity and management of other contracts within the Climate, Energy and Green Spaces service.
You will support embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the service. Flexibility and cross team working is required to support wider team workloads and future service developments.
Responsibilities for Grade:
- Monitor, manage and report contractor performance on specified contracts.
- Liaise with other Council services and obtain relevant information that will contribute to ensuring effective contract usage and contractor performance.
- Identify and support with maximising the financial return to the Council relating to specified contracts.
- Support the management of procurements and projects, supporting the delivery and improvement of services which meet the needs of our communities and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of partnership arrangements and the fostering of effective working relationships with contractors.
- Support and coordinate the provision of advice and information on procurement matters across the service.
- Support the Commercial Projects and Contracts Manager in achieving the outcomes identified by the Leadership Team in relation to service improvement activities and priority projects.
- Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post or as determined by the Head of Service.
- To abide by the Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy in the duties of the post and as an employee of the Council
- To take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council's Health & Safety Policy
To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:
- the Council’s Policies and Codes of Practice.
- the Council's Constitution, including Contracts and Financial Procedure Rules.
- the Council’s Values, service objectives and relevant quality procedures
Your working week is one of 37 hours based on the needs of the service as notified by your manager.
The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the service may require the job holder to undertake duties commensurate with the level of the role. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Qualifications
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Strong organisational skills to manage and prioritise multiple and conflicting tasks and work schedules to meet tight deadlines.
- Effective written and oral communication skills with a wide range of people.
- Ability to be innovative and apply judgement and analytical skills to resolve problems requiring new and creative long term solutions.
- Ability to analyse and present information using IT software packages and the ability and willingness to use technology to its full capacity
- Ability to manage contracts and commercial projects effectively.
- Ability to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
- Ability to devise and implement evaluation mechanisms.
- Ability to assimilate information quickly and adopt a methodical approach.
- An understanding of the principles of performance management.
- Knowledge and understanding of the policies and procedures relating to procurement and contracts e.g contract procedure rules, financial procedure rules, decision making.
- Knowledge, understanding of supporting the implementation of project management methodology to drive service improvement.
- Knowledge and ability to utilise the council’s financial systems.
- Experience of working in a multi-discipline and geographically dispersed environment.
- Experience of delivering a high level of customer satisfaction with the quality of service
- Experience of supporting projects or initiatives which reflect service needs, provide value for money, and maintain quality
- Experience of preparing and presenting information to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Experience of supporting project and work programmes and working under pressure to meet targets.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Experience of managing contracts and interpreting financial data to deliver the anticipated outcomes of the contract.
