Contracts Manager

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust; Dudley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced professional to manage an agreed portfolio of contracts on behalf of the ICB. The role involves negotiation, performance management and close collaboration with internal teams and external providers to ensure delivery against contractual requirements.

You will analyse performance data, support governance processes and develop improvements across the commissioning cycle, contributing to effective contracting in the Dudley area.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)

Responsibilities

• Manage an agreed portfolio of contracts on behalf of the ICB and ensure governance
• Support negotiation, planning and implementation of new and amended contracts across the commissioning cycle
• Undertake contract review and performance management, monitor actions and escalations
• Plan, deliver allocated contracting tasks and projects to meet deadlines
• Maintain effective communication with internal teams, providers and stakeholders
• Collate, analyse contractual, activity, quality and financial data to identify trends and risks
• Assist in investigations into variances from plan and develop corrective actions
• Provide specialist advice on contractual matters and applicable policy guidance

Skills

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Degree level in a relevant subject

CPD / continuous professional development

Tools

Microsoft Office

Other relevant software

Job description

Site Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre Town Dudley Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 18/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

The post holder will manage an agreed portfolio of contracts on behalf of NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, supporting the Senior Contracts Manager and wider Commissioning Team to deliver effective contracting and performance management arrangements. The role will support the development, negotiation, implementation and ongoing management of contracts through the commissioning cycle, monitor delivery against contractual requirements, analyse performance and financial information, and work with providers and internal stakeholders to address risks, issues and variation from plan.

Main duties of the job

The Trust is contracted by NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board to provide its commissioning and contract management services for the Dudley area and it will be these contracts which this post will be largely focused on.

Working for our organisation

At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of “excellent health care, improved health for all”. We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.

As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.

Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Manage an agreed portfolio of contracts on behalf of the ICB, ensuring that contractual arrangements are clearly documented, appropriately authorised and managed in accordance with organisational governance requirements.

2. Support the negotiation, planning, development and implementation of new and amended contracts across the commissioning cycle, including following procurement or other service award decisions.

3. Undertake regular contract review and performance management processes, monitor agreed actions and improvement plans, and elevate poor performance, non-compliance, risks and unresolved issues through the appropriate governance routes.

4. Support the Senior Contracts Manager and wider Commissioning Team in managing contracts outside the post holder’s designated portfolio, as required.

5. Plan, manage and deliver allocated contracting tasks, projects and work programmes effectively, prioritising workload to meet organisational objectives, quality standards and tight or changing deadlines.

6. Establish and maintain effective communication and coordination with internal teams, providers, commissioners and other stakeholders, including researching and drafting correspondence, reports, briefings and complex papers.

7. Communicate complex contractual and performance information, risks, issues and dependencies clearly to relevant colleagues, project groups, committees and external partners, using persuasion and influence where required.

8. Collate, validate and analyse contractual, activity, quality, financial and performance information to identify trends, variances, risks and areas requiring further investigation or action.

9. Work closely with analytical, finance, quality, operational and commissioning colleagues to investigate variance from plan or delivery targets and contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate solutions.

10. Monitor provider compliance with contractual obligations and relevant regulatory requirements, ensuring that evidence is recorded and concerns are addressed or escalated appropriately.

11. Coordinate and participate in contract, performance and other relevant meetings, preparing agendas and supporting information where required, presenting advice and analysis, recording decisions and actions, and monitoring follow-up.

12. Maintain accurate contract records, registers, databases, trackers and supporting documentation, ensuring information is current, secure, accessible and suitable for reporting and assurance purposes.

13. Undertake detailed analysis of specific contracts, projects and reports requiring sustained concentration, attention to detail and the ability to draw out key messages from complex information.

14. Develop and maintain mechanisms for tracking contractual risks, issues, actions, milestones and dependencies, supporting proactive resolution and timely escalation.

15. Ensure that information is collected, analysed and reported accurately and within contractual or organisational timescales, taking a lead on specific contracts, reports or improvement projects as agreed.

16. Provide timely specialist advice and guidance on contractual matters, interpreting applicable contract terms, policies and guidance and seeking senior, legal, procurement, finance or other specialist input where necessary.

17. Keep informed of relevant national and local policy, guidance and contractual developments and support colleagues to understand their implications for the Trust and its commissioned services.

18. Contribute to continuous improvement in contracting processes, documentation, reporting and governance, identifying and applying relevant best practice.

Person specification

Qualifications and Education

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Skills / Personal Qualities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including summarising complex information and key issues, presenting to a high standard, and communicating in difficult situations requiring persuasion and influence.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information accurately, extract key messages from complex analysis, anticipate and evaluate issues, recommend appropriate action, and present findings in a timely and accessible form.
• Strong problem-solving, strategic-thinking and judgement skills, with attention to detail and the ability to respond to sudden, unexpected demands.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team; manage own workload and changing priorities; nurture key relationships and networks; demonstrate leadership, confidence, a professional, calm and efficient manner, and a positive and flexible approach to work

Knowledge and Training

• Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS contracting process and the NHS Standard Contract
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office and other relevant software, with high-level keyboard skills.
• High level of understanding of confidentiality requirements and the secure, accessible management of electronic records
• Understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of service providers.
• Awareness of the organisation’s broad strategic direction.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management and/or performance management.

Experience

• At least three years’ experience in an NHS, social care or public sector environment, with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities within it.
• At least twelve months’ experience in an NHS health contracting and/or health commissioning environment.
• Experience of communications and stakeholder management, dealing with the public, and handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience of efficient and effective project or programme management, including organising and planning events and supporting information.
• Experience of managing the Full-Length NHS Standard Contract

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Trust Values

• Promotes equality of opportunity and good working relationships, providing practical leadership.
• Maintains confidentiality and trust and demonstrates commitment to continuing professional development.
• Demonstrates reliable attendance and flexibility in working hours to support delivery of the team’s objectives.

Using AI for jobs applications:

Whilst we encourage the use of technology to help manage time and support innovation. However, it is your responsibility to ensure your application is personalised and clearly reflects your own skills and experiences. While AI can assist with drafting, it should only be used as a support tool. The content must be your own work and accurately represent your knowledge, abilities, and values. Over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in your application being rejected. A common issue arises when we receive multiple applications with identical or overly generic language.

The use of AI during assessments, including interviews, is not permitted unless it has been pre-approved as part of a reasonable adjustment. For digital interviews, you may be asked to provide a 360-degree view of your surroundings on camera and confirm that no additional devices are present. If we suspect AI is being used during an interview, we may pause the process to clarify or adjust our approach to questioning.

Caring for patients demands integrity, honesty, and accountability. We expect your application and participation to be authentic and a genuine reflection of your own experiences and values.

In line with UK Home Office rules, Band 2 clinical and non‑clinical roles, and Band 3 non‑clinical roles, are not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Non‑clinical roles at Agenda for Change Bands 7–9 that meet the required skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold are eligible for sponsorship.

The Trust will also accept applications from candidates who can evidence their existing right to work in the UK or who hold an alternative eligible visa.

RECRUITMENT EQUALITY STATEMENT

We are committed to equal opportunities and want to ensure our workforce is representative of the population we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and diverse groups. It is essential we understand our demographics, in order that we can monitor our performance as an equal opportunity employer, as well as continuing to embed a culture of inclusivity across the organisation, which supports the active participation and contribution of our diverse staff groups in the Trusts decision making processes . On application the shortlisting manager will not see this criterion and therefore it cannot be part of their decision making. Please ensure you complete your equal opportunities questions for us and help us to make sure everyone is welcome.

The Trust is committed to employing and supporting people with disabilities. It is the Trust’s policy to interview all candidates with a disability who meet the minimum ‘essential’ criteria as identified on the person specification. To ensure we know you have a disability, please inform us under the appropriate section on the application form. We welcome applications from the LGBTQ+ community and openly encourage people with different sexual orientation, gender identity and expression to apply to join our team. We promise to respect and encourage the use of all pronouns and will not purposefully mis-gender anyone.

We are governed by the public sector equality duties and by our values of Care, Respect and Responsibility to ensure we eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other behaviour that is unlawful, undermines our core values and/or falls short of our Behaviour Framework. We want all of our staff to ‘call out’ any behaviour from colleagues, patients or visitors that constitutes the above and appropriate action be taken.

We will, at every opportunity, advance equality and inclusivity for all staff, at all levels within the organisation, by removing or minimising disadvantage, encouraging participation and taking all relevant steps to meet the needs of anyone who shares a protected characteristic. We will also foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic by tackling prejudice and promoting understanding at every opportunity.

We have staff Networks in place to help support staff experience of diverse staff groups and inform us on the actions, interventions and support what we need to put in place to improve the working lives and daily experiences of all colleagues and all teams. Anyone can join the networks and we take pride in having Allies as part of every network within the organisation.

By submitting an application for a position with this organisation, you are declaring that the information given is true and complete, any deliberate omission, falsification or misrepresentation will be grounds for rejecting the application or subsequent dismissal, and where applicable, for positions that requires registration with a professional body, you authorise us to make the required employer checks on your professional registration status.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in your application to its preferred applicant management system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Record system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Hedley Bucktin Job title Senior Contracts Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 07769319383 Additional information

Joanne Taylor - Head of Strategic Commissioning and Transformation

07712240219