Director of Commercial Contracts

Community Eye Care CHEC; Preston; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a Director of Commercial Contracts to oversee and manage commercial contracts that ensure compliance and performance. Ideal candidates will have extensive NHS contracting experience and a proven track record of managing complex portfolios. This role requires strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement to foster strong relationships and drive commercial excellence. The company offers numerous benefits including an annual bonus scheme and a comprehensive pension plan.

Benefits

25 days holidays plus bank holidays

Buy and sell annual leave scheme

Annual Company Bonus scheme

MediCash

Refer a friend scheme

Company pension

Company sick pay scheme

Life assurance scheme

Bluelight Card - discounts and cashback

Performance review with training plan

Employee discounts portal

Gym membership discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Tech scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in NHS Standard Contracting, ideally within the independent healthcare sector.
• A proven track record of managing complex, multi-million-pound contracting portfolios.
• In-depth understanding of NHS commissioning, payment mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial contracts function, setting vision and strategy.
• Drive commercial best practices and ensure compliance with NHS guidelines.
• Act as senior advisor on contracting strategies and commercial risks.
• Build strong relationships with NHS partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee performance monitoring frameworks and risk management initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation skills

Leadership skills

Education

Degree in Law, Business, or Healthcare Management

Job description

We are always looking for great talent to join our team and help achieve our ambitious goals and growth. We care about our people, and we care about the future of community health and how CHEC can play an innovative part in making this great, with your help.

If you are care focused and looking to join an organisation that is thriving on success, then CHEC is your employer of choice! We have an exciting opportunity for a new Director of Commercial Contracts to support our ambitious growth plans as we continue to expand throughout the UK.

About the Role

We are looking for a Director of Commercial Contracts who will lead the strategic performance and management of commercial contracts across the organisation. This role is pivotal in ensuring commercial excellence, value for money, and compliance with regulatory, legal and contractual obligations.

The Director will operate at both a strategic and operational level and act as the organisation’s expert on commercial matters. You’ll be responsible for providing high-level contractual advice, leading on commercial frameworks, and supporting innovation and service excellence. The postholder will also play a key role in business development and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.

We are looking for someone who can :

• Lead the commercial contracts function, setting the vision and strategy for contract development and lifecycle management.
• Drive and lead commercial and industry best practice for the organisation with a continuous improvement and innovation focus, delivering value and efficiencies and identifying and mitigating commercial risks.
• Lead on potential complex dispute resolution on behalf of the organisation.
• Act as the senior advisor to the Senior Leadership Team on contracting strategies, market dynamics and commercial risk.
• Ensure team members are held accountable for meeting contractual response times and service levels, in line with obligations set out in NHS Standard Contracts and internal performance frameworks.
• Oversee the development and implementation of performance monitoring frameworks, KPIs, escalation protocols and risk registers.
• Maintain compliance with NHS England guidance, procurement law and CHEC’s internal governance processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with NHS partners, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
• Represent CHEC in external forums, strategic partnerships and collaborative commissioning models.

What you’ll bring to the role :

• A degree in Law, Business, Healthcare Management, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in NHS Standard Contracting, ideally within the independent healthcare sector.
• A proven track record of managing complex, multi-million-pound contracting portfolios.
• In-depth understanding of NHS commissioning, payment mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Advanced negotiation, influencing, and leadership skills.
• Experience in enterprise risk management and governance leadership.

Why work for us?

• 25 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Buy and sell annual leave scheme
• Annual Company Bonus scheme
• MediCash
• Refer a friend scheme
• Company pension
• Company sick pay scheme
• Life assurance scheme
• Bluelight Card- 100’s of discount and cashback options
• Performance review with a training and development plan
• Employee discounts portal
• Gym membership discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Tech scheme