Commissioning and Contract Officer

This role has a starting salary of £41,585 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week. There are four positions available: two permanent roles and two 24 month fixed term contracts.

We are excited to be hiring four Commissioning & Contract Officers to play a key role in discharging adult education functions and funding devolved from the UK Govt to Surrey County Council.

The contractual base will be Woodhatch Place, Reigate. The role is hybrid with at least one day in Woodhatch (usually Tuesday), combined with regular attendance at meetings, workshops and events across the county, which be require travel across the county.

Our Offer to You:

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the team

This post sits within the Council's Economy & Growth service and plays a key role in driving inclusive and sustainable growth in line with Surrey's wider economic ambitions. The service works across the organisation as One Council to deliver strategic priorities that grow the economy while ensuring no one is left behind.

We provide strategic services spanning business support, innovation, skills and employment, working with partners and major employers to champion and future proof the county's economy. Surrey is home to 110,000 businesses, supports 1.2 million residents and contributes £50bn annually to the UK economy.

Working closely with employers, providers and partners, the team delivers the Council's devolved adult education functions, aligning skills provision with pathways into work and empowering residents to achieve sustainable employment.

Make a real difference to people living, learning and working in Surrey

Surrey County Council is committed to ensuring residents can access the skills they need to enter, progress in and sustain meaningful employment, while employers can access the workforce they need. Through devolved adult education funding, Surrey is shaping skills and employment support around local needs to drive economic growth for all.

About the role

This role will be central to a highly visible team with significant interest from senior political leaders, local partners and wider stakeholders. Working in the Council's Economy & Growth team, you will be responsible for delivering the commissioning, procurement and contract management of skills provision across Surrey; ensuring that commissioned providers deliver high quality, value for money services that meet local economic, employer and resident needs; and contributing to all aspects of the commissioning cycle - including analysis, planning, procurement, delivery and review - to ensure provision aligns to the county's economic priorities and statutory/funding requirements.

The Commissioning & Contract Officers will be expected to work horizontally across Economy & Growth and other Council services, contributing to the team's collectively owned outcomes and connecting into complementary programmes such as Connect to Work and WorkWell.

Key responsibilities and outcomes:

• Commission and deliver programmes through effective planning, procurement and mobilisation to improve employment outcomes
• Manage contracts, performance, finances and risk to ensure delivery on time, on budget and against KPIs
• Collaborate with providers, employers and partner programmes to address skills shortages
• Use data and insight to monitor performance and drive continuous improvement
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and reporting across all funding and regulatory requirements

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• Experience in commissioning, contracts, procurement and project delivery
• Knowledge of public sector funding and governance, ideally in a local authority
• Able to manage multiple priorities at pace and meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and organisational skills, with clear reporting
• Effective relationship builder with providers and partners

To apply, please submit your CV and outline your experience and suitability for the role by responding to the following questions (no more than 400 words for each):

• Describe your experience of commissioning provision from external organisations. What was your role and how did you ensure an outcome-focused approach?
• Describe your experience of managing contracts. How did you monitor performance, quality and compliance?

This advert will close at 23:59 on Sunday 10th May 2026, with interviews currently scheduled for Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th May.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.