Contract and Fees Manager

NHS; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a full-time Contract and Fees Manager based in Darlington. You will lead the commercial administration of contracts and fee management processes, oversee a team, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations. Candidates should have strong leadership skills, proficiency in Excel, and experience negotiating with ICBs and Local Authorities. The company offers numerous benefits including training opportunities and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Birthday off

Active Learning Hub

Active Reward App

Employee Assistance Programme

Medicash Health Plan

Active Awards programme

Enhanced Sick & Maternity Pay benefits

Refer a Friend Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• Experience negotiating with NHS bodies and Local Authorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial administration function for contract and fee management.
• Manage and mentor Contracts & Fees Management Assistants.
• Oversee the identification and pursuit of new contract opportunities.
• Lead annual fee uplift negotiations with ICBs and Local Authorities.

Skills

Exceptional written English

Verbal reasoning

Mathematical skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Education

Experience in healthcare or similar environment

Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Come and join one of the UKs largest independent providers in neuro and mental healthcare. We proudly employ over 4000+ people - no matter what your experience, we have jobs for everyone. We have an exciting opportunity for a Contract and Fees Manager to join Active Care Group. The position is full time and based in our Darlington office.

Main duties of the job

The Fees and Contracts Manager will lead the commercial administration function, overseeing contract and fee management processes across the Group. This role will manage the Contracts & Fees Management Assistants and work closely with the Business Development Directors and Head of Contracts & Fees to ensure the effective negotiation, execution, and monitoring of contracts and funding arrangements. The postholder will play a key role in driving income growth through strategic fee uplifts and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.

Active Care Group is the leading national provider of complex care services. Our services are provided in multiple settings including residential, supported living, rehabilitation, domiciliary care, and care in the home. We hold a strong market position in the continuing complex health care space specifically in the areas of spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, epilepsy, assisted ventilation and other long‑term neurological conditions.

About us

Active Care Group are a pioneering national provider of complex care services, delivering pathways and better outcomes for people. We have a collaborative and holistic approach to care underpinned by proven clinical and therapeutic expertise. We specialise in supporting young people and adults with complex needs to make positive progress and lead happier, more independent lives.

Job responsibilities

What you'll be doing:

Leadership & Oversight

• Manage and mentor the Contracts & Fees Management Assistants, ensuring high performance and professional development.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders regarding contracts, fees, and commercial processes.
• Support the Head of Contracts & Fees in strategic planning and operational delivery across the group.

Contract Management

• Oversee the registration, monitoring, and management of client portals and referral inboxes.
• Lead the identification and pursuit of new contract opportunities, including bid writing and tender submissions.
• Ensure all bid documentation is professionally prepared, formatted, and submitted within deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records of contract outcomes and ensure CRM systems are updated accordingly.
• Provide expert support in contract drafting, negotiation, and compliance across the Group.

Fee Management

• Lead annual fee uplift negotiations with ICBs, Local Authorities, and private clients.
• Collaborate with service managers to develop costings and funding proposals.
• Maintain accurate records of fee agreements and ensure billing teams are informed of changes.
• Monitor discrepancies between expected and actual income and resolve issues promptly.
• Produce regular reports on fee uplift progress, projections, and income generation initiatives.

Reporting & Communication

• Compile and present commercial performance reports to senior leadership.
• Record and distribute minutes from commercial meetings and ensure follow‑up actions are tracked.
• Attend bid presentations and stakeholder meetings as required.
• Represent the Commercial Department in internal and external forums.

We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable facilities to participate in job applications or interviews to perform essential job functions. To support this, we are a Disability Confident employer.

What to look forward to:

• Birthday off
• Join the Active Learning Hub and benefit from a wide range of e learning and face to face training and development opportunities
• Active Reward App giving discounts and savings on your weekly shop
• Free 24 hour confidential Employee Assistance Programme Helpline & App to support with legal, health, wellbeing, relationship and consumer advice
• Access to join a Medicash Health Plan for you and your family to save money on everyday health essentials – like going to the dentist or opticians
• We recognise outstanding Active Behaviours via the Active Awards programme
• Enhanced Sick & Maternity Pay benefits
• Refer a Friend Scheme and earn yourself up to £1000 by recommending someone you know
• ……and, of course, the support and guidance of our qualified clinical and business leadership teams so that you can really develop your career with Active Care Group

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Exceptional written English, verbal reasoning and mathematical skills
• Experience of healthcare, or similar experience within either a recruitment or provider environment
• Confident with figures and the ability to produce a range of advanced level spreadsheets and reports is essential to this role
• Excellent strategic planning and organisational skills
• Excellent computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel proficiency is essential
• Experience using CRM systems
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• Experience negotiating with NHS bodies, ICBs, and Local Authorities.
• Familiarity with complex care funding models and healthcare commissioning.
• Understanding of bid and tender processes in the public sector.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.