Contract Manager

Practicus; Greater Manchester, Sheffield, West Midlands, East Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Practicus is partnering with a fast-growing healthcare organization to optimise public sector contracts across three UK regions. As Contract Manager, you’ll own performance, drive operational excellence and build strong relationships with commissioners, authorities and partners to deliver measurable outcomes.

You’ll lead end-to-end contract delivery, analyse data to identify improvements, manage budgets and seek growth opportunities while travelling regularly to meet stakeholders and sites

Qualifications

• 3+ years in contract management, programme management, operations or service delivery.
• Experience managing KPI ownership and performance improvements.
• Experience with commissioners or senior stakeholder relationships in healthcare or public sector.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills to turn data into action.
• Experience budgeting, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own contract performance across the full service delivery journey from referrals to outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement by analysing data, identifying gaps and implementing solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with commissioners, local authorities, ICBs, GPs, PCNs and partners.
• Lead commissioner engagement with clear performance updates and improvement plans.
• Oversee budgets, expenditure and invoicing to reflect delivered services.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and revenue growth targets.
• Line-manage local delivery teams and ensure delivery against objectives.
• Travel regionally for meetings, clinics and community engagement.

Skills

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Financial management

Budgets & invoicing

Commercial acumen

Travel flexibility

Job description

Recruiting for 3 separate regions:

• Greater Manchester / Sheffield
• Midlands / Northamptonshire / East Midlands
• Sussex

Make a meaningful impact on community health

Are you a commercially minded Contract Manager who thrives on taking ownership, improving performance and building relationships that deliver tangible results?

We’re partnering with a fast-growing healthcare organisation that is transforming how people access and experience healthcare. By combining digital health innovation with established community‑based programmes, the organisation is expanding its reach across the UK, helping to improve health outcomes while delivering high-quality, accessible services.

We’re looking for a proactive, data-driven Contract Manager to take ownership of public sector contracts, driving operational performance, strengthening commissioner relationships and identifying opportunities for growth.

This is an opportunity to join a purpose‑led, ambitious business where your work will have a direct impact on both commercial success and the health of local communities.

The opportunity

As Contract Manager, you’ll have end-to-end responsibility for the day-to-day performance of a portfolio of public sector healthcare contracts across your designated region.

Working closely with commissioners, local authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), GPs, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and community partners, you’ll ensure services are performing effectively, contractual targets are achieved and opportunities for improvement are translated into action.

This is a hands‑on role that combines commercial accountability, data analysis, stakeholder engagement and service delivery leadership. You’ll need to be comfortable moving between strategic planning and operational execution, taking ownership of challenges and driving progress in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

What you’ll be doing

• Own contract performance: Take accountability for contractual KPIs, monitoring performance across the full service delivery journey, from referrals and registrations through to programme starters and completers.
• Drive continuous improvement: Analyse performance data, identify trends and gaps, investigate underperformance and implement practical solutions to improve outcomes and service delivery.
• Build trusted relationships: Develop strong, lasting relationships with commissioners, local authorities, ICBs, GPs, PCNs, community pharmacies and other local partners through proactive communication and regular face‑to‑face engagement.
• Lead commissioner engagement: Provide clear, credible performance updates, present improvement plans where required and ensure stakeholders have confidence in delivery, progress and future performance.
• Manage commercial and financial performance: Oversee contract budgets, monitor expenditure against allocations, reconcile financial information and ensure invoicing accurately reflects verified service delivery.
• Identify growth opportunities: Strengthen referral networks, develop local partnerships and identify opportunities to expand service provision, contributing to an ambitious annual revenue growth target.
• Lead and support teams: Line-manage local service delivery colleagues, providing clear direction, accountability and support to help teams achieve their objectives.
• Champion community health outcomes: Ensure local populations can access, engage with and complete relevant health programmes, balancing contractual requirements with meaningful outcomes for the communities served.
• Take a hands‑on approach: Get close to the detail, work directly with local partners and step in wherever needed to resolve issues and keep delivery on track.

What you’ll bring

You’re an energetic, commercially aware operator who combines structured thinking with a practical, action‑oriented approach. You’re comfortable working autonomously, managing competing priorities and navigating complex stakeholder environments without losing sight of the end goal.

You take ownership naturally, use data to inform decisions and understand that successful contract management is about more than reporting performance — it’s about actively improving it.

We’re looking for someone with:

• At least three years’ experience in contract management, programme management, operations or service delivery.
• A track record of taking ownership of KPIs, improving performance and delivering measurable results.
• Experience managing commissioner, client or senior stakeholder relationships, ideally within healthcare, public sector commissioning or a related service environment.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interrogate data, identify performance trends and turn insight into practical action.
• Experience managing budgets, monitoring expenditure and reconciling financial performance against service delivery.
• Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills, with the confidence to engage stakeholders at all levels, from frontline teams to senior decision‑makers.

Experience within a high‑growth business, technology‑enabled services environment, management consultancy or commercial healthcare organisation would be advantageous.

Above all, you’ll bring energy, accountability and a genuine commitment to making things happen.

This is an opportunity to take on a visible, high‑impact role within a growing healthcare business that is bringing together digital innovation and community‑based service delivery.

You’ll need to live within, or within reasonable travelling distance of, your designated region. Regular local travel is essential for commissioner meetings, partner engagement, clinic visits and community‑based relationship building.