Contracts & Operations Manager

NHS; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A Primary Care Network in the UK is looking for an experienced Contracts & Operations Manager to lead all contracting activities across the network. The role involves negotiating agreements, monitoring compliance, and enhancing service quality. Candidates should have a degree in business or healthcare management, along with experience in contract management in a healthcare setting. This position offers flexible working arrangements and is vital for ensuring the delivery of quality care services.

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level in business or healthcare management or equivalent.
• Experience of managing performance of contracts and contract particulars.
• Demonstrating background of interpreting and drafting contracts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end contract management and negotiate agreements.
• Monitor provider performance and ensure compliance with standards.
• Lead risk assessments, incident reporting, and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Data analysis

Stakeholder relationship building

Negotiation

Project management

Financial management

IT skills

Organizational skills

Quality improvement

Proficiency in MS Office

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in business or healthcare management

Further specialist training in Procurement or Contract Management

Tools

Xero

MS Office

Excel

Job description

Job Summary

East Staffordshire Primary Care Network is seeking an experienced Contracts & Operations Manager to lead all contracting activities for healthcare services across the Network. This pivotal role ensures robust contractual arrangements, identifies savings whilst managing risks. The role will also involve overseeing the governance and quality arrangements for the systems and structures. The role will involve opportunities to operationally lead on portfolio areas to continuously improve the quality and safety of services.

Application Letter

• How you fulfil the essential criteria?
• What appeals to you most about the role?
• What can you bring to the role?

Main Duties

The role oversees end‑to‑end contract management, including negotiating and drafting agreements, managing contract lifecycles, monitoring provider performance, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards, and controlling contract spend to deliver value for money. It includes active risk identification and mitigation, supplier and stakeholder collaboration, and leading procurement processes from requirements definition to tender evaluation and contract award.

Governance and Quality Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with GDPR, FOI, health and safety and wider NHSE, NICE and CQC requirements. Produce performance and quality reports, inform members of risks and quality issues, maintain strong governance frameworks covering safeguarding, data protection and information governance, and lead risk assessments, incident reporting and quality improvement. Oversee policy development and review.

Financial Duties

Monitor Enhanced Services submissions, ensure timely and accurate claims, and identify income‑maximisation opportunities. Working with the Finance Manager the role supports financial oversight, risk identification, budgeting, cash‑flow planning and maintaining robust financial controls to ensure value for money and long‑term financial sustainability for the PCN.

About Us

East Staffordshire Primary Care Network (ESPCN) is a collaboration of 18 GP practices across East Staffordshire. We collectively serve over 155,000 patients covering Uttoxeter, Burton upon Trent, and the surrounding villages. The 18 GP Practices formed a Primary Care Partnership in 2017 to encompass our 5 pillars of support, leading to the establishment of the PCN in 2019.

Job Details

• Posted date: 10 December 2025
• Pay scheme: Salary depends on experience (per annum)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
• Reference number: U5750‑25‑0000
• Job location: G4‑G5 Bellringer Road, Trentham Business Quarter, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 8GB

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Educated to Degree level in business or healthcare management or equivalent
• Further specialist training or qualification in Procurement, Contract Management or Project Management
• Experience of working in a managerial capacity for several years in a healthcare setting

Experience (Essential)

• Demonstrating background of interpreting and drafting contracts
• Experience of managing performance of contracts and contract particulars
• Contracting and procurement principles: A strong understanding of sourcing and contract management principles
• Contract management in operational delivery
• Leadership in financial management to include budget process time‑tabling, financial controls, variance analysis
• Experience on managing procurement processes
• A strong understanding of financial and accounting systems
• Experience and working knowledge of all relevant and legislative responsibilities

Desirable Experience

• Management experience in healthcare setting
• Primary Care specific experience
• Experience with Xero and other accounting packages

Skills & Qualities (Essential)

• The ability to analyse data and report on a range of subjects, such as performance and savings opportunities
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with various stakeholders
• The ability to negotiate effectively to achieve optimal outcomes
• Familiarity with relevant legal and regulatory standards within the health and social care sector
• Quality improvement: skills in quality improvement and evidence of ability to apply in practice
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage and prioritise tasks in a fast‑paced environment
• Good understanding of business planning and financial management
• Financial management: Skills in financial monitoring and control
• Ability to use a range of software packages
• Analytical and IT skills to include MS Office and Excel applications
• Proficient in Teams

Desirable Skills & Qualities

• Knowledge of primary care with strong experience in contract management and quality and governance
• Bid writing: skills in bid writing to support contract management
• Experience in managing change and service development

Personal Skills (Essential)

• Leadership and collaborative team working
• Conflict resolution and mediation
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact at all levels
• Strong interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and empathy
• Self‑motivated, self‑starter
• Desire to drive quality service to patients
• Adaptable, innovative and proactive
• Diplomatic, politically aware and able to empathise with differing opinions
• Honest, caring and sympathetic
• Positive and enthusiastic attitude
• Clean driving licence and ability to travel between locations

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.

Employer Details

East Staffordshire Primary Care Network

G4‑G5 Bellringer Road, Trentham Business Quarter, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 8GB

Website: https://www.eaststaffspcn.com