Senior Contract Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme membership

Generous annual leave

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care is seeking two Senior Contract Managers to oversee a portfolio of provider contracts. The role focuses on contract and performance reviews, annual negotiation cycles, and providing specialist contract guidance across stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will have NHS commissioning experience, strong performance management skills, and the ability to mentor junior staff within a hybrid working environment. NHS Pension Scheme membership is included.

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent experience.
• Postgraduate management diploma.
• NHS commissioning experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Hold day-to-day responsibility for a defined portfolio of provider contracts.
• Lead regular contract and performance review meetings and drive action.
• Lead the annual contract negotiation cycle and contract documentation.
• Translate NHS GM commissioning intentions into signed contracts.
• Develop KPIs and produce reports on provider performance and risks.
• Mentor junior colleagues and line manage the Contract Management Team.

Skills

NHS contracts knowledge

Quality management

Performance management

Line management

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree level

Postgraduate management diploma

Prince2

CIPFA Contract Management

CIPS Procurement

Job description

Two Senior Contract Manager posts sit in the Contract Management and Procurement team within the Strategic Finance Portfolio at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care. The work centres on a portfolio of provider contracts: running performance reviews, driving improvement where services fall short, and leading the annual negotiation cycle. The post deputises for the Senior Contract Lead and may carry line management of the contract management team, with matrix working across finance, quality and BI. Fit depends on NHS commissioning experience, including negotiating with providers.

What the job involves

• Hold day-to-day responsibility for a defined portfolio of provider contracts
• Lead regular contract and performance review meetings, driving remedial or reinforcing action
• Lead and assist in the annual contract negotiation cycle and contract documentation, including arbitration or mediation
• Translate NHS GM commissioning intentions into signed contracts meeting national and local requirements
• Use contract levers in full within delegated limits
• Challenge providers on poor quality performance
• Monitor contracted activity, expenditure, quality and operational performance, and support Provider CQUIN schemes
• Develop KPIs and produce reports on provider performance, risks and contractual options for Contract Performance Groups, Boards or Chief Officers
• Act as key contract contact for procurement projects with third-party specialists
• Deputise for the Senior Contract Lead as required
• Provide specialist contract advice and lead contract project meetings with internal and external stakeholders
• Mentor junior colleagues and, where assigned, line manage and performance manage the Contract Management Team

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent experience
• Postgraduate management diploma

Experience

• NHS commissioning experience, including negotiating with providers on contract, procurement, performance or quality issues

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS contracts, with specialist knowledge of at least one area (e.g. Standard Contract Community)
• Knowledge of quality and performance management techniques
• Skills in direct line management and job management
• Skills in delivering results through managing others, including without direct line management
• Skills in managing relationships with a range of stakeholders

Nice to have

• Professional qualification in CIPFA Contract Management, CIPS Procurement or Prince2
• Project management experience, ideally in procurement or NHS contract management
• Leadership experience in the NHS or related sector
• Knowledge of the healthcare commissioning process or national commissioning landscape
• Experience of leading complex change or strategy development in a politically sensitive environment

What’s offered

• NHS Pension Scheme membership
• Generous annual leave that grows with service
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Support for ongoing development and career progression