Project Officer

Job Title: Project Officer Starting Salary: £35,570 progressing to £38,510 per annum Hours: 37 hours per week Location: Farnham House, Stevenage Contract Type: Permanent Directorate: Growth and Environment About The Team In this role you will be joining the Highways Service Development Team, which plays a key role in driving continuous improvement, through procurement, performance management and transformation across Hertfordshire County Council's highways and transport services.

Working collaboratively with highways and transport operational teams, senior managers, elected members, and external partners, the team develops and delivers procurement projects and programmes, along with contract management and performance functions that support strategic priorities, improve service performance, and ensure effective use of resources. Some of the key pieces of work currently being undertaken are: Supporting the delivery of highways procurements Supporting the Performance Management process of our major contracts Supporting Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) readiness workstreams About The Role As a Project Officer within the Highways Service Development Team, you'll support the delivery of procurement, contract management, performance monitoring and service improvement activities that contribute to the Council's strategic objectives.

Working with service leads, providers and stakeholders, you'll coordinate projects, monitor performance, manage risks and actions, analyse data, and prepare reports to support informed decision making. You'll help ensure contracts deliver strong performance, positive outcomes and value for money. You'll build effective relationships with a range of internal and external partners, including senior managers, suppliers, local authorities and government organisations.

We're looking for someone who can collaborate effectively while confidently challenging where needed to drive continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and adaptable individual who enjoys problem solving, managing varied projects and making a tangible impact on service delivery. Key Responsibilities Support the Highways Service Development Managers and Group Manager for Contracts and Service Development in delivering projects, procurements and service improvement initiatives.

Monitor and analyse contract and performance data, identifying trends and supporting performance reporting. Maintain project controls, including action logs, risk registers and communication plans. Coordinate meetings and workshops, including agenda preparation, minute taking and tracking actions. Manage the Highways Contracts mailbox, responding to enquiries and escalating issues where appropriate.

Prepare reports, presentations and briefing materials for a range of audiences. Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support service delivery and project outcomes. Represent the team at meetings and forums when required. Support effective governance, compliance and record keeping across team activities. This role will be line managed by one of the Highways Service Development Managers Essential About you Experience of supporting projects, programmes, contract management, performance management or other structured business processes, or relevant transferable skills.

Competent IT skills, especially standard Microsoft Office packages. With an interest in using AI for efficiencies. Highly organised and ability to prioritise your workload. Ability to work independently and within a team. Good verbal and written communication skills. Have a keen eye for detail. Experience of holding partners or stakeholders to account for agreed actions, service standards, performance measures, or contractual requirements.

Desirable Knowledge or experience of working in a political environment, and of local government corporate objectives and current issues. Able to work confidently with a range of stakeholders to support deliver