Support the delivery of effective contracts and commissioning activity across a national care portfolio, helping ensure accurate information, strong administration and effective relationships with commissioners and funding partners.
Join a forward-looking care organisation with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable care across its network of homes. Working within a collaborative Commercial & Growth function, you will play an important role in supporting effective contracts management, commissioning activity and commercial operations that enable homes to provide the best possible outcomes for residents and communities. This is a full-time, office-based role based at our Support Office in Darlington, working 40 hours per week and offering the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the organisation to support homes nationwide.
This is an opportunity to develop your knowledge of social care commissioning, contracts management and public sector funding, while building valuable experience within a commercially focused and fast-moving environment.
About the Role
The Contracts Assistant provides essential administrative and operational support to the Contracts & Commissioning function, ensuring contracts, commissioner information, fee rates and related documentation are accurately maintained and effectively managed.
Working closely with the Head of Contracts & Commissioning, you will support the smooth running of the contracts portfolio through accurate record keeping, contract register management, commissioner correspondence, fee rate administration and tender support. You will help ensure key information is readily available, deadlines are met and contractual obligations are effectively supported across the organisation.
This is a varied role requiring strong organisation, attention to detail and confidence managing multiple priorities. Over time, you will build a strong understanding of social care commissioning, funding arrangements and the wider contracts landscape across England, Scotland and Wales.
About You
You will be an organised and detail-focused administrator who takes pride in producing accurate work and maintaining high-quality records. You will be comfortable managing information from multiple sources, working to deadlines and communicating professionally with a range of stakeholders.
You will have a proactive approach, the ability to manage your own workload and the confidence to identify issues, ask questions and provide reliable support to senior colleagues. While experience within contracts, commissioning or social care is beneficial, we are equally interested in candidates with strong transferable administrative skills and a willingness to learn.
What You’ll Bring
Essential
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records and meet deadlines.
- Excellent attention to detail and confidence working with data, documentation and administrative processes.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, including Excel, Word and Outlook.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare professional correspondence and work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Experience in an administrative, coordination or support role within a structured environment where accuracy and confidentiality are important.
- A proactive and reliable approach, with the ability to work independently, identify issues and provide effective support to colleagues.
- Willingness to develop knowledge of contracts management, commissioning processes and social care funding arrangements.
Desirable
- Experience within contracts support, commissioning, healthcare, social care, local government or another regulated service environment.
- Knowledge or interest in social care commissioning, public sector procurement or contract management.
- Experience using contract management systems, databases or reporting tools.
- A relevant qualification in business administration, legal administration, contracts or a related discipline.
- Experience supporting tender submissions, supplier processes or formal documentation.
Additional Information
This role is based at the Central Support Office in Darlington, with occasional travel to commissioner meetings or other locations as required. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is required for this role, and a DVLA licence check will be completed in line with company insurance requirements. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility. All colleagues are expected to comply with organisational policies and procedures relating to health, safety, confidentiality, safeguarding and information governance.
