Contracts and Compliance Lead Officer in Southend-On-Sea

Your new organisation Southend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance. As a Unitary Authority, we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health, and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in several exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role We are looking for a Contracts and Compliance Lead Officer to join the education transport team on a full-time and permanent basis. This role will be based within a newly established team, and it is offered on a flexible and hybrid working basis (a combination of working from home and the office). As a contracts and compliance lead officer, you will be responsible for supporting the Home to School Transport service and ensuring that it meets the needs of students and families. This includes developing and implementing new policies, managing the budget, and working with contractors to ensure that services are delivered effectively. The role also involves resolving complex cases, leading contractor meetings, and representing the Council at local and regional events.

You will analyse and solve issues arising from non-compliance with contracts and Service Level Agreements, or from concerns raised by service users, relatives or other professionals and agencies, which are specific to the terms of the contract whilst providing excellent customer service and attaining business goals. You will manage the process of resolving customer complaints by clarifying the complaint, determining the cause of the problem, selecting the best solution to resolve the problem, expediting the resolution, whilst maintaining effective relationships with all stakeholders involved. You will monitor and report data by analysing and interpreting all contractual KPI reports both externally and internally, producing reports including recommendations, and delivering reports up to and including senior management to contribute to the successful delivery of the Home to School Transport. You will attend and lead contractor meetings, ensuring minutes are taken and actioned effectively and providing support in all appeal matters. You will represent the Council at local and regional events in relation to Home to School Transport.

Although this role is hybrid, it will be predominantly field/office-based due to the nature of the role.

What you’ll need to succeed To be successful in this role, previous experience of negotiating with third parties, contractors, service providers and team is essential for this role. You must have a good understanding of the relationship between monitoring, service quality and service adjustment. It is essential that you are familiar with approaches to monitoring contract compliance. Previous experience of working within a contract / compliance/transport and/or facilities setting is essential for this role.

Your application will not be considered if you do not have one of the following: GCC Contract Management qualification/training at the minimum of foundation level Working towards qualification Have significant contract management knowledge and be prepared to obtain qualifications.

If you’re interested in this role, click ‘apply now’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief. Southend-on-Sea city council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.