Senior Contract Manager

• Lead the end-to-end contract management process for a defined portfolio of healthcare contracts.
• Ensure contracts are effectively negotiated, drafted, implemented, and monitored in line with national and local NHS guidance and procurement regulations.
• Monitor contract performance using KPIs and quality metrics, resolving issues proactively and escalating where appropriate.
• Ensure all contracts reflect appropriate financial values and activity schedules, including alignment with national tariff changes.
• Support annual planning and contracting rounds, ensuring timely and accurate contract agreements.
• Lead the identification and mitigation of contractual and financial risks across managed contracts.
• Lead on the delivery and monitoring of savings for the contract management team, contributing to the Trusts financial plan.

• Provide expert contractual advice and guidance to internal stakeholders, supporting operational teams to interpret contractual obligations.
• Provide Business Intelligence and make judgements with Finance colleagues to inform contract monitoring, validation, and forecasting processes.
• Analyse highly complex management information and present their findings to senior management teams.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality reports and briefings for senior stakeholders, committees, and boards.
• Responsible for the development on the contract management function in the Trusts e-procurement system (Atamis).

• In depth specialist knowledge in contract management and ensure Trust compliance with procurement policy and legislation (Procurement Act 2023, Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Provider Selection Regime 2024).
• Ensure all contract management processes comply with Trust Standing Financial Instructions, relevant national policy, and audit requirements.
• Responsible for developing standard operating procedures for the contract management function which will be implemented by the Trust.
• Undertake contract audits for all high-risk contracts.

• Work autonomously and interpret policy and procedures within the contract management function.
• Provide direct line management to the Band 7 Contract Manager, including objective setting, appraisal, training, recruitment, staff performance and professional development.
• Deputise for the Head of Contract Management as required at internal or external forums, representing the Trust confidently when delegated.
• Support workforce development by role-modelling professional standards in contract management and coaching colleagues.

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key suppliers and partners.
• Represent the Trust in external contract management and negotiation forums where required.
• Communicate highly complex contractual and financial risks clearly to senior colleagues and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Present highly complex and sensitive contractual information at senior management level.
• Build credibility with clinical, financial, and operational leaders through effective communication and influencing skills.

• Understanding of relevant legislation, procurement law, and national policy frameworks affecting NHS contracting.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in contracting, procurement, or NHS management

• Extensive experience leading on contract negotiation, drafting and monitoring.
• Extensive experience of interpreting and implementing NHS standard contracts and national tariff guidance.
• Direct line management of staff, including objective setting, mentoring appraisal and staff development.
• Experience of deputising for senior managers, providing cover at internal and external forums.

• Experience of collaborative working with commissioning bodies or Integrated Care Systems

• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across boundaries.
• Significant skillset in challenging performance/non-compliance constructively.

• Extensive experience of financial and risk analysis in a contracting environment.
• Ability to evaluate commercial opportunities, cost-benefit cases, and options appraisals.

• Significant experience of implementing contract governance or performance monitoring processes.
• Ability to plan and lead complex projects or contract transitions.
• Ability to develop systems or processes that enhance contract oversight.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract management systems.
• Ability to use e-procurement, reporting or analytics tools.

• Ability to travel between Trust sites and attend external meetings. Ability to work autonomously with responsibility for a portfolio of high-value or complex contracts.
• Demonstrates resilience and adaptability under pressure.

Essential

• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., procurement, business administration, contract management) or equivalent senior level experience.
• Understanding of relevant legislation, procurement law, and national policy frameworks affecting NHS contracting.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in contracting, procurement, or NHS management

Essential

• Extensive experience of contract management within the NHS or a large complex organisation.
• Extensive experience leading on contract negotiation, drafting and monitoring.
• Extensive experience of interpreting and implementing NHS standard contracts and national tariff guidance.
• Direct line management of staff, including objective setting, mentoring appraisal and staff development.
• Experience of deputising for senior managers, providing cover at internal and external forums.

Essential

• Extensive strong negotiation, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across boundaries.
• Significant skillset in challenging performance/non-compliance constructively.

Essential

• Extensive ability to interpret complex data and contractual information to support decision making.
• Extensive experience of financial and risk analysis in a contracting environment.
• Ability to evaluate commercial opportunities, cost-benefit cases, and options appraisals.

Essential

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
• Significant experience of implementing contract governance or performance monitoring processes.
• Ability to plan and lead complex projects or contract transitions.
• Ability to develop systems or processes that enhance contract oversight.

Essential

• Ability to work at a computer for prolonged periods.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and contract management systems.
• Ability to use e-procurement, reporting or analytics tools.

Essential

• Commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative working
• Ability to travel between Trust sites and attend external meetings.
• Ability to work autonomously with responsibility for a portfolio of high-value or complex contracts.
• Demonstrates resilience and adaptability under pressure.