Senior Contract Specialist

NHS Professionals; Exeter; Híbrido; GBP 42.000 - 58.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid working arrangements

Flexible working options

Supportive team environment

Opportunities for professional growth

Meaningful impact on patient care

Descripción de la vacante

NHS Professionals is seeking a Band 7 Senior Contract Specialist at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter. The role leads complex clinical service contracts, negotiating terms, monitoring performance and ensuring value for money within NHS guidelines.

You will work with senior contracting leads, finance teams and commissioners to ensure services meet patient needs and regulatory standards across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Hybrid working is available.

Formación

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in complex, politically sensitive environments.
• Experience coordinating projects, managing risks and delivering outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to interpret complex information.
• Experience preparing senior-level briefing papers, reports and correspondence.
• Experience working in the NHS or wider healthcare/public sector knowledge.

Responsabilidades

• Lead negotiation, management and performance monitoring of complex healthcare contracts.
• Collaborate with commissioning, finance, patient safety and performance teams to support contract delivery.
• Analyse contractual and financial information, identify risks and propose solutions.
• Oversee Non-Contracted Activity (NCA) and ensure policy compliance.
• Monitor performance, investigate variances and implement improvement plans.
• Ensure contracts meet NHS standards and public procurement regulations.
• Provide contracting advice and present information to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Support development of new contracting approaches, policies and governance.
• Maintain risk and issue registers and provide assurance on performance.
• Contribute to financial planning, savings initiatives and budget monitoring.
• Supervise and develop Assistant Contract Managers.
• Build relationships with providers to improve service delivery.

Conocimientos

Contract management

NHS contracting

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Risk management

Financial oversight

Educación

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification

Descripción del empleo

Location: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, EX2 5DW (Hybrid Working)

Contract Duration: 6 months

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Band: NHS Agenda for Change Band 7

Directorate: Chief Finance Officer

Make a Difference in NHS Commissioning and Contract Management

Are you an experienced contract management professional with strong analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills? We are seeking a proactive and results-driven Band 7 Senior Contract Specialist to join the Clinical Contracting and Procurement Team at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing complex healthcare contracts, driving service performance and supporting the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Working closely with senior contracting leads, finance teams, commissioners, healthcare providers and other stakeholders, you will help ensure that commissioned services meet patient needs, deliver value for money and comply with relevant NHS policies, contractual requirements and national guidance.

About the Role

As a Senior Contract Specialist, you will take responsibility for a designated portfolio of complex clinical service contracts, leading contract negotiations, performance management, financial oversight and risk management.

You will provide expert advice on contractual matters, support service improvement initiatives and ensure effective governance across your portfolio. The role requires a flexible, collaborative approach, with the ability to work across multiple teams and service areas in response to changing organisational priorities.

Your portfolio may cover one or more of the following areas:

• Primary Care
• Mental Health and Children's Services
• Cornwall and Plymouth
• North, East and South Devon
• All Age Continuing Healthcare (AACHC)
• Independent Sector and Home Oxygen Services (IS & HoS)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation, management and performance monitoring of complex healthcare contracts, ensuring high-quality services are delivered within available resources.
• Work collaboratively with commissioning, finance, patient safety, quality and performance teams to support effective contract delivery.
• Analyse complex contractual and financial information, identify risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Lead the management of Non-Contracted Activity (NCA), working closely with finance colleagues to ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Monitor contract performance, investigate variances against targets and implement improvement plans where required.
• Ensure contracts meet relevant NHS constitutional standards, patient choice requirements and applicable public procurement regulations.
• Provide specialist contracting advice and present complex information to senior leaders and internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the development of new contracting approaches, policies, procedures and governance arrangements.
• Maintain effective risk and issue registers, escalating concerns and providing assurance on contract performance.
• Contribute to financial planning, savings programmes, budget monitoring and value-for-money initiatives.
• Supervise and support Assistant Contract Managers, contributing to team development and continuous improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with healthcare providers and partners to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Essential Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification, or significant experience working at a comparable level in a specialist area.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Significant experience working in complex, politically sensitive environments.
• Proven experience coordinating projects, managing risks and delivering outcomes within challenging and changing environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret complex information from multiple sources.
• Experience preparing senior-level briefing papers, reports and correspondence.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Experience contributing to business planning, performance management and service improvement.
• A professional, confidential and adaptable approach, with a commitment to equality, collaboration and NHS values.
• Experience working within the NHS or a wider healthcare environment.
• Understanding of public sector organisations and commissioning arrangements.
• Experience managing or supervising staff.
• Knowledge of healthcare contracting, financial management and relevant NHS guidance.

Working Arrangements and Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangements, balancing remote working with service and team requirements.
• Flexible working options, including part-time and job-share arrangements, subject to service needs.
• Reasonable adjustments in line with organisational policies.
• An opportunity to contribute in meaningful improvements in healthcare services and patient outcomes.
• A varied and influential role working with multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.

Why Apply?

Join a dynamic clinical contracting and procurement team where your expertise will directly support the effective commissioning of healthcare services across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

If you have the experience, confidence and commercial awareness to manage complex contracts, influence stakeholders and drive performance improvements, we would welcome your application.