National Contract Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working

NHS Pension Scheme

Thrive learning and development

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

NHS Blood and Transplant is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead and improve national facilities management contracts across the UK. You will hold suppliers to account for performance, compliance and value, and shape future services while managing budgets and commercial activity.

Extensive UK travel, including overnight stays, is expected. The role offers hybrid working and a chance to work within a high-profile health service environment, influencing estates across sites.

Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent experience in engineering, estates/facilities, business or a related discipline.
• Specialist training in contract management (NEC, Standard NHS Contract), supplier relationship management or CPD.

Responsibilities

• Lead management of national FM contracts, keeping services safe, compliant and good value.
• Drive supplier performance through governance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Support delivery of high-quality environments for colleagues serving donors, patients and partners.
• Oversee contract compliance, audits and assurance to manage risk and standards.
• Manage budgets, forecasting and commercial activity.
• Contribute to procurement, mobilisation and implementation of future FM contracts.
• Analyse performance, financial and operational data to recommend improvements.
• Build relationships with suppliers, technical specialists and senior stakeholders.
• Develop contract management processes, reporting tools and performance frameworks.
• Lead and support colleagues to build a culture of collaboration, learning and improvement.

Skills

Contract governance

Supplier management

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting

Data analysis

Policy development

Governance

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in engineering, estates/facilities, business

Tools

N/A

Job description

This national post sits within NHS Blood and Transplant's facilities management function, overseeing contracts that serve its sites across the UK. The job centres on leading and improving those contracts, holding suppliers to account for performance, compliance and cost, and shaping the services that follow. Extensive UK travel, sometimes overnight, is expected, alongside hybrid working options. Candidates need a masters or equivalent experience plus significant estates or FM contract management, ideally in PFI or complex multi-site settings.

What the job involves

• Lead management of national FM contracts, keeping services safe, compliant and good value
• Drive supplier performance through governance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement
• Support delivery of high-quality environments for colleagues serving donors, patients and partners
• Oversee contract compliance, audits and assurance to manage risk and standards
• Manage budgets, forecasting and commercial activity
• Contribute to procurement, mobilisation and implementation of future FM contracts
• Analyse performance, financial and operational data to recommend improvements
• Build relationships with suppliers, technical specialists and senior stakeholders
• Develop contract management processes, reporting tools and performance frameworks
• Lead and support colleagues to build a culture of collaboration, learning and improvement

What’s required

Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent experience in engineering, estates/facilities, business or a related discipline
• Specialist training in contract management (NEC, Standard NHS Contract), supplier relationship management or equivalent CPD

Experience

• Significant post-qualification experience in estates/FM contract management, including PFI/TFM or complex multi-site contracts
• Track record of budget management, invoice validation and savings without compromising quality or compliance
• Experience leading policy or service development across a department or directorate (frameworks, SOPs, dashboards)
• Experience preparing and presenting board-level reports on sensitive or contentious content

Skills & knowledge

• Working knowledge of statutory and HTM compliance areas for E&F (e.g. PSSR/BCGA, WSP/Legionella, ventilation, fire safety, asbestos) and the role of AEs and Independent Advisors

Other

• Willingness to travel extensively across the UK, including overnight stays with prior notice

What’s offered

• Hybrid working arrangements
• Flexible working where the role allows
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 after 10 (pro rata for part-time)
• NHS Pension Scheme (defined benefit)
• Thrive learning and development programme
• Occupational health, employee assistance programme and wellbeing resources