Commercial & Contracts Investigating Lead.
37 Hours a week
Hybrid/Remote * there could be occasions when you will required to attend meetings at Dorset Council offices in Dorchester.
3 months
£500 a day
Outside IR35
Do you have local authority or public sector experience?
Commercial knowledge?
Auditing?
Demonstrate navigating contracts?.
Worked with the SLT to report?.
Support and undertake aspects of the following.
The Commission and Procurement Programme. also identified that to scale up a programme of this nature would require specialist expertise which would not ordinarily be found within an organisation such as a council as there would be little need for these skill in the longer-term service delivery. In addition, the successful candidate has over the years removed those roles which would be able to support such as cost analysts and commercial quality assurance leads. Whilst it is evident that some teams and services could undertake/support the 3rd Party Spend activity it was highly likely that resources would not be able to be made available.
Furthermore, as these investigations are likely to involve senior members of staff including directors and may require direct challenge and scrutiny of them, it would be unfair to place a permanent employee, who is likely to be a lower grade than those being interrogated, in such a position.
The CPP Programme Manager was tasked with defining a programme of works and to develop a resource and cost profile in support of these works.
It was also noted that this project is time constrained. Investigations, analysis, and the production of a detailed list of opportunities and the activity to secure them within this financial year needs to be completed no later than early/mid December 2025. If this is not achieved it is possible that the in-year savings target would be reduced or worse, not met.
There are several considerations which also need to be factored into the process for determining the opportunities to be progressed:
Contract content regarding roll-off times, exit strategies etc
Internal governance and decision-making
Financial reporting periods
Cabinet reporting if required
1. Scope Of Works
By using external specialist resources there is an opportunity to also more broadly use their skills and expertise to support with the design of the future state commercial architecture and in the upfront design works of identify a programme and its scope which could undertake this, including with income opportunity analysis. This would not be possible with internal resources due to demand and capacity constraints.
The proposal as to the scope of work will be to:
3rd Party Spend
Undertake direct investigations of areas and/or contracts identified for deeper scrutiny.
Assess and make direct recommendations for reducing and/or consolidating 3party spend contract types.
Identifying the in-year cashable savings clearly articulating the route to contract closure and the delivery forecast profile.
To support early termination activity.
Support with the review, scrutiny and oversight of new emerging contracts.
Strengthen & Secure
Investigate and review the Councils current approach to frameworks.
Identify where framework opportunities exist and work with procurement team to understand alternative options.
Support with the standing up, consolidating existing where possible, identifying new opportunities regarding frameworks and other commercial best practice approaches.
Make recommendations and support with the identification of tools and guidance which can support our people when undertaking commercial activity.
The Opening of Opportunities
Review the PwC report which identifies a potential savings opportunity and provide framework plan for further investigation.
Support in the assessment of Stop/Go/Delay opportunities/decisions aligned to the 3rd Party Spend and broader cross organisational commissioning activity being undertaken within CPP and the wider Council commercial landscape.
Proactively identify underperforming contracts and recommendations for reimbursement.
Proactively research additional/alternative income sources such as through bids and grants, services charges, and others, which to date have been unable to be fully optimised due to capacity constraints.
Proactively identify areas where the Council can improve it commercial position and approach and provide a report.
The outcomes will be required to enable:
Consolidation & Standardisation
Spend reduction and income generation
Ways of Working
Governance & Quality Assurance -
Demand management
Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates