Contracts - Business Partner (Secondment/Fixed Term Contract)
Secondment/Fixed Term Contract for 18 Months
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Contracts Business Partner to join the Procurement team.
The successful candidate will ensure that designated contracts with 3rd party suppliers are managed in a manner that maximises the benefits for the force whilst minimising risks to the Force. This includes developing and implementing strategic contract management frameworks, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and driving continuous improvement in contract performance.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Ability to assess needs amongst staff and develop tailored training that they then deliver to these staff to deliver a Willingness to learn and adapt working practices to operate as part of a commercial team.
- Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to promote professional working relationships with personnel at all levels. This skill will have been developed in a demanding office environment where they will have regularly demonstrated discretion, tact and diplomacy, multi-tasking, enthusiasm, initiative, and flexibility.
- Proven track record of managing high-value contracts to deliver measurable, tangible benefits, including improved service outcomes, cost efficiencies, or risk mitigation.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines, handle diverse information, manage a substantial workload and proactively solve problems with a minimum of supervision.
- Extensive commercial experience, with the ability to apply strategic thinking and commercial judgement to ensure that contracts are managed to meet the needs of the Force.
- Must have capability to travel to different locations across the Force and undertake all assignments in a timely manner.
- Excellent analytical skills and able to interrogate multiple information sources to identify trends, errors and/or underlying performance issues and the causes of those issues.
- Knowledge of handling commercial disputes.
If you are a permanent member of staff applying for this role, please note it will be offered on a secondment basis. Important: All secondments are assumed supported and that your line manager and Head of Department/Commander or Deputy are aware of your intention to apply. If the secondment is not supported then a strong business rationale must be sent to RecruitmentPoliceStaff@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting the reference number for the role.
Please note: Shift allowance, on-call or other job related allowances from the previous role will not be protected unless they are attached to the new role for the duration of the secondment.
As part of the Thames Valley Police family you will enjoy a fantastic range of benefits including 30 days annual leave per annum, pro-rata for part time (plus Bank Holidays), flexible working conditions, a wide range of lifestyle discounts, career development opportunities and have the option to join a local government pension scheme. For more information on our benefits, please visit the supporting you page, via the link at the bottom of the advert.
If you have any queries please contact the Recruitment Team at RecruitmentPoliceStaff@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting reference 3107. We will endeavour to respond to your query as quickly as possible.
Please use Google Chrome when completing your application, wherever possible, as this will enhance performance.
The closing date for enquiries and receipt of completed applications is Sunday 17 August 2025.
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At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities. Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission. As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more About Us.
Working Smart. You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day. In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce.
Supporting You. Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do. Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we’ll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives. We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with. We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference. We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card. Learn more about how we will be Supporting You.
Developing You. We promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential.
Vetting. All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.