Commissioning Coordinator in Chelmsford

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Commissioning Coordinator to support the delivery of high-quality economic growth, employability and skills programmes. The Coordinator will be joining the Essex Skills Bootcamp Project Team. This role is central to ensuring commissioned services are delivered effectively, on time and in line with agreed standards, providing strong performance management across a diverse portfolio of training providers.

Working closely with internal teams, suppliers and partners, you will help shape commissioning activity from design through to delivery, driving continuous improvement and value for money. This is an exciting opportunity to influence service outcomes, build strong stakeholder relationships, and contribute to innovative solutions that support economic development and positive community impact for the residents of Essex. Effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams and across both internal and external organisations will be essential.

• Coordinate the effective design, implementation and operational delivery of specific employability, skills and economic growth projects, supporting the commissioning lifecycle including producing specifications, supporting procurement with market engagement, developing commissioning strategies and ensuring mobilisation and operation of services to deliver objectives.
• Build and maintain effective operational relationships with suppliers in their caseload to ensure they consistently achieve the performance standards set out in programmes to deliver quality and value in line with plans and intended outcomes and that adequate controls are in place to protect the Authority’s interests.
• Develop and implement innovative approaches and solutions in the delivery of projects to enhance levels of service whilst seeking to minimise cost and deliver best value for money by working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and externally, providing recommendations for improvements to management.
• Operate a continuous improvement approach, leading in collaboration with procurement in the design, implementation and monitoring of a process to hold suppliers to account for poor performance and make recommendations to the Commissioning Manager and procurement colleagues on proposed interventions, working with providers to deliver ongoing changes.
• Lead projects and support tenders in partnership with procurement teams, ensuring all projects comply with ECC policies.
• Deliver ECC’s business account management approach and serve as a primary point of contact to build and maintain trusting relationships with businesses, industry representatives and partners, including working collaboratively with suppliers and other organisations in the sector to identify gaps in market provision used to inform future service provisions and improvements.
• Take a proactive approach to identifying and investigating market risks to ensure continuity of supply and protect the Authority’s interests, monitoring and reporting on financial performance, ensuring targets, compliance and relevant regulations are met.
• Develop dashboards, support audits, and coordinate with the Programme Manager to ensure accurate financial management.

• Educated to RQF level 5 within a relevant professional qualification or working towards such a qualification or equivalent demonstrable work experience with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Knowledge of commissioning and experience of using this methodology in complex commercial environments to deliver programmes on time and within budget and with economic and social impacts.
• A demonstrable track record of managing commissioning activities in business critical environments. This should include evidence of defining, measuring and improving key elements of supplier performance.
• Evidence of some experience of delivering continuous improvements in strategic arrangements for training and development programmes with evidence of generating cost and service benefits.
• Proven experience in engaging and collaborating with employers, training providers, colleges, and universities to understand their needs and requirements, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Bootcamp Programme.
• An awareness of working in a political environment.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

We welcome applications from disabled applicants under the Job Interview Scheme, veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. We are also committed to interview all disabled applicants and provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

As part of employment with Essex County Council, you may be required to register with the DBS update service if your role requires a DBS check. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring it is maintained. Employees benefit from support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements, among other benefits. ESCC upholds ethical standards and a code of conduct; we expect all employees to respect these principles.