Contracts Lead

Contracts Lead

The closing date is 18 June 2026.

The Contracts Lead is a pivotal role within the Income, Costing and Contracts team, responsible for the end-to-end management of healthcare service agreements and clinical contracts. This position ensures that the Trust remains contractually compliant while maximising financial recovery and maintaining high standards of service delivery. By bridging the gap between complex data analysis and strategic relationship management, the postholder plays a critical part in the organization's financial health and operational efficiency.

Under current Home Office Immigration Rules, this role does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria and the position is not therefore eligible for skilled worker sponsorship. Applications from candidates that require skilled worker sponsorship will NOT be shortlisted.
Banding subject to Agenda for Change Evaluation.

• End-to-End Management: Lead on the negotiation, documentation, and renewal of NHS clinical contracts, SLAs, and supplier agreements.
• Strategic Alignment: Translate commissioning priorities into signed contracts that meet financial, quality, and national regulatory parameters.

• Reporting: Present complex management reports for monthly assurance meetings to ensure contractual compliance.

• Expert Advisory: Provide guidance on contractual risk and the NHS Standard Contract, utilising levers, incentives, and penalties to manage compliance.
• Overseas Visitors (OSV): Act as the Trust's Operational Lead for OSV regulations, ensuring accurate eligibility assessments and maximum income recovery.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build partnerships with ICBs, NHS England, and other commissioning bodies to drive service innovation.

• Systems Management: Maintain the Trust's contracts register, database and business case tracker, including post-implementation reviews.
• Team Leadership: Provide line management and mentorship to staff, while deputising for the Head of Income, Costing & Contracts.

• Educated to degree level in a related subject.
• Committed to continued professional development.

• NHS contract management or commissioning/provider experience, within the NHS or public sector environments.
• Experience applying national policy changes to contract delivery.
• Experience developing and maintaining contractual and performance risk registers.

• Understanding of NHS commissioning, P , tariffs.
• Experience contributing to system level planning or provider collaboration.
• Senior management experience.

• Skilled in preparing reports and presenting to senior leaders.
• Strong decision-making and influencing skills, demonstrated through resolving contractual issues.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communication skills, including presenting complex information.
• Self‑motivated, flexible and driven.

• Proficient in Microsoft applications, including performance dashboards, reports and analytical tools.
• Specific knowledge of NHS contracts guidance.
• Good knowledge of contract management.
• Demonstrable understanding of national targets & priorities relating to NHS care.
• Experience managing and developing teams with proven improvements in capability and performance.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data, contract values and activity plans.

• Experience developing commercial models or supporting bids/tenders.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.