It’s an exciting time to join North Somerset Council’s Highways team! We're looking for a Principal Contracts Officer within the newly establish Client and Commissioning team.
This is an important role that is critical in the successful delivery of the Council’s new contractual arrangements to deliver its highway services which begin in April 2024. We can’t wait to get started and need your help.
About the Team
We’re determined to deliver a high quality, safe, sustainable, and reliable highway network.
Our service delivery model has recently been re-imagined ensuring we’re in the best possible position to meet the high expectations we know our customers expect from us and rise to the evolving challenges we face in the industry, such as the council’s commitment to carbon reduction and providing people the opportunity to work within the sector.
The team will be responsible for working with colleagues to maximise service outcomes in relation to value for money, quality of service to the customer and performance and ensuring efficient and effective service delivery to the people and community of North Somerset.
About the role
Working under the general direction of the Client and Commissioning Manager, you’ll be supporting the team in the management and delivery of highway maintenance and improvement works.
The successful applicant will;
- Support the Client and Commissioning team in the development and delivery of contract management activities of the relevant contracts and frameworks.
- Coordinate and programme activities including through others to deliver a range of projects. and/or services, from inception to completion.
- Complete and review procurement documentation and evaluations
- Be accountable for the effective control of allocated project budgets and commitments.
- Provide technical specialist advice to staff, contractors, partners, the community and other stakeholders.
- Provide day-to-day advice to professional and technical staff and stakeholders.
- Be responsible for directing and managing a range of projects and activities, in the production of cost effective solutions to meet corporate, service and team priorities to deliver good outcomes for the community.
- Be responsible for monitoring expenditure and managing allocated budgets ensuring optimum use of resources.
- Coordinate in-house and external resources to ensure successful project and/or service delivery.
- Produce report for projects or services, and complete contract administration as required.
- Ensure that projects or services meet Quality, Health and Safety and Environmental Management standards.
- Represent the Council on relevant professional matters as required at public meetings, meetings with contractors and consultants.
- Preparation of technical information for public inquiries, arbitrations, adjudications or similar events.
- Maintenance of good relations with internal and external Clients, Partner Organisations and Councillors.
- Assume the client roles and responsibilities under CDM regulations 2015.
The designated work location will be in Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare, although much of the work is anticipated to be able to be carried out whilst agile working, (i.e. other offices in North Somerset or from home). You may be occasionally required to carry out site visits with other members of the team to gather information.
About you
A full person Specification is included within the support documentation.
- You will be a qualified or seasoned professional with substantial experience within Highways.
- You will have Contract management experience (NEC4).
- You will be a pro-active problem solver, able to methodically approach any task or challenge and have extensive experience of delivering change management projects.
- You will be a confident communicator, both written and verbally, and be able to clearly present information to external bodies and senior decision makers and respond to challenge.
Why North Somerset Council?
We understand working for a local authority is more than just a job. We want to ensure our employees remain passionate about what they do and enjoys their time at North Somerset. Whether that means you want training and development opportunities or a flexible working arrangement to fit around family commitments, we will work with you to ensure you are getting the best out of your employment.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance with the option to purchase up to an additional 10 days per year. Further details can be found in the attached booklet.
Want to know more and apply?
For an informal discussion, please contact Peter King, Client and Commissioning Manager, on peter.king@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07990748565.
Anticipated interview date - Week Commencing 15th April 2024.
At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
North Somerset Council – Open, Fairer, Greener.
Please note: We are currently only accepting applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.