West Sussex County Council

Senior Commissioning and Contracts Officer

The closing date is 28 January 2026

Job summary

Join us make a difference in our communities

As part of the Directorate of Public Health, Health & Social Care, the Public Health Department is a progressive, multi-disciplinary department committed to improving health and tackling inequalities in West Sussex. The Department of Public Health is the chief source of specialist public health advice & leadership within West Sussex. The key role is to protect and improve lifelong health & wellbeing of everyone in West Sussex by commissioning evidence-based services and empowering people to make healthier choices.

A priority for the Directorate is to support people to stay healthy, happy & independent, by ensuring there are services to reduce their risk factors & by providing support services to enable people to maintain their wellbeing, independence & to maximise their independence. The increasing challenges and demands placed on the health & social care sector are well documented as is the complexity of task facing professionals working within this arena.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will be part of the team that will ensure good quality, affordable services are available for all our residents. The role sits in the Public Health Commissioning Team, responsible for the delivery of multiple contracts across West Sussex. Working proactively with existing & emerging markets, you will develop relationships with service users & providers that ensure services are responsive & meet need.

This will be a challenging, dynamic and rewarding role. We're looking for individuals who have the appropriate aptitude &skills to make a difference for some of the most vulnerable residents in our communities, including children & young people, older vulnerable people, those with mental health needs or learning disabilities, people with substance misuse issues & others with long term complex health /continuing health care needs.

About us

West Sussex County Council is a diverse organisation that provides services to more than 850,000 residents every day.

The position of Senior Commissioning & Contracts Officer, Public Health will be within the Public Health Directorate at West Sussex County Council - WSCC.

As part of the Directorate of Public Health, Health and Social Care, the Public Health Department is a progressive, multi-disciplinary department committed to improving health and tackling inequalities in West Sussex. The Department of Public Health is the chief source of specialist public health advice and leadership within West Sussex.

The key role is to protect and improve lifelong health and wellbeing of everyone in West Sussex by commissioning evidence-based services and empowering people to make healthier choices.

Details

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£48,226 to £51,356 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0052-CAFHE06127

Job locations

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RG


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role offers hybrid working arrangements and will require you to work from county council office buildings and make regular visits to meet other partners, as well as the flexibility of home working as appropriate. Final arrangements to be confirmed with successful candidate.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a committed professional who can effectively coordinate partnership work ensuring a high quality, consistent and effective service is delivered.

Supporting the delivery of specific projects, and at times work directly with residents and communities. This can include directly working with children and young people and engaging in community focused activity.

Dealing with a range of complex issues where you will identify practical and efficient solutions and meet with partners across West Sussex and, take part in, as well as facilitate engagement sessions.

Coordinate the participation of a variety of partners in a wide range of activities and initiatives, fostering connections between different fields and organisations while also ensuring the smooth operation of all partnership-related meetings and events.

As a subject matter expert, you will be responsible for co-ordinating multi-agency activities and promoting partnership working with a wide range of stakeholders.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the community, then this role is perfect for you. Join us in shaping the future of West Sussex and contributing to the well-being of its residents.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role offers hybrid working arrangements and will require you to work from county council office buildings and make regular visits to meet other partners, as well as the flexibility of home working as appropriate. Final arrangements to be confirmed with successful candidate.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a committed professional who can effectively coordinate partnership work ensuring a high quality, consistent and effective service is delivered.

Supporting the delivery of specific projects, and at times work directly with residents and communities. This can include directly working with children and young people and engaging in community focused activity.

Dealing with a range of complex issues where you will identify practical and efficient solutions and meet with partners across West Sussex and, take part in, as well as facilitate engagement sessions.

Coordinate the participation of a variety of partners in a wide range of activities and initiatives, fostering connections between different fields and organisations while also ensuring the smooth operation of all partnership-related meetings and events.

As a subject matter expert, you will be responsible for co-ordinating multi-agency activities and promoting partnership working with a wide range of stakeholders.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the community, then this role is perfect for you. Join us in shaping the future of West Sussex and contributing to the well-being of its residents.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree, or equivalent qualification or experience in procurement or contract management, demonstrating that level of applied knowledge in researching, analysing and evaluating arguments and information

Desirable

  • Prince 2 Project Management - Desirable

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of working in the public sector within commissioning and contract management systems/practices and providing effective delivery.
  • Strong, pragmatic problem-solving skills allowing you to anticipate problems and resolve issues independently.
  • Organisational skills, forward planning and developing timelines for meeting commissioning and contract management objectives and deadlines.
  • Excellent literacy and numeracy skills to understand very complex tender documents, contracts, quarterly reports and to check statistical financial information.
  • Highly developed analytical and judgemental skills to diagnose, analyse and interpret highly complex or technical information. This will include written briefings, development of service specifications/ KPIs/ Outcome measures and procurement documentation.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders, and to create and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Effective people management skills, including performance management skills and the ability to provide direction and support to individuals and teams.
  • Experience of working and leading programmes and identifying, developing, and delivering business improvements.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree, or equivalent qualification or experience in procurement or contract management, demonstrating that level of applied knowledge in researching, analysing and evaluating arguments and information

Desirable

  • Prince 2 Project Management - Desirable

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of working in the public sector within commissioning and contract management systems/practices and providing effective delivery.
  • Strong, pragmatic problem-solving skills allowing you to anticipate problems and resolve issues independently.
  • Organisational skills, forward planning and developing timelines for meeting commissioning and contract management objectives and deadlines.
  • Excellent literacy and numeracy skills to understand very complex tender documents, contracts, quarterly reports and to check statistical financial information.
  • Highly developed analytical and judgemental skills to diagnose, analyse and interpret highly complex or technical information. This will include written briefings, development of service specifications/ KPIs/ Outcome measures and procurement documentation.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders, and to create and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Effective people management skills, including performance management skills and the ability to provide direction and support to individuals and teams.
  • Experience of working and leading programmes and identifying, developing, and delivering business improvements.

Employer details

Employer name

West Sussex County Council

Address

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RG


Employer's website

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

West Sussex County Council

Address

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RG


Employer's website

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Commissioning - Public Health Directorate

Fiona Mackison

fiona.mackison@westsussex.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£48,226 to £51,356 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0052-CAFHE06127

Job locations

County Hall

West Street

Chichester

West Sussex

PO19 1RG


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