Contracts Manager

Site Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre Town Dudley Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 18/11/:59

Job overview The post holder will manage an agreed portfolio of contracts on behalf of NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, supporting the Senior Contracts Manager and wider Commissioning Team to deliver effective contracting and performance management arrangements. The role will support the development, negotiation, implementation and ongoing management of contracts through the commissioning cycle, monitor delivery against contractual requirements, analyse performance and financial information, and work with providers and internal stakeholders to address risks, issues and variation from plan.

Main duties of the job The Trust is contracted by NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board to provide its commissioning and contract management services for the Dudley area and it will be these contracts which this post will be largely focused on.

Working for our organisation At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of "excellent health care, improved health for all". We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.

As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.

Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities 1. Manage an agreed portfolio of contracts on behalf of the ICB, ensuring that contractual arrangements are clearly documented, appropriately authorised and managed in accordance with organisational governance requirements.

2. Support the negotiation, planning, development and implementation of new and amended contracts across the commissioning cycle, including following procurement or other service award decisions.

3. Undertake regular contract review and performance management processes, monitor agreed actions and improvement plans, and elevate poor performance, non-compliance, risks and unresolved issues through the appropriate governance routes.

4. Support the Senior Contracts Manager and wider Commissioning Team in managing contracts outside the post holder's designated portfolio, as required.

5. Plan, manage and deliver allocated contracting tasks, projects and work programmes effectively, prioritising workload to meet organisational objectives, quality standards and tight or changing deadlines.

6. Establish and maintain effective communication and coordination with internal teams, providers, commissioners and other stakeholders, including researching and drafting correspondence, reports, briefings and complex papers.

7. Communicate complex contractual and performance information, risks, issues and dependencies clearly to relevant colleagues, project groups, committees and external partners, using persuasion and influence where required.

8. Collate, validate and analyse contractual, activity, quality, financial and performance information to identify trends, variances, risks and areas requiring further investigation or action.

9. Work closely with analytical, finance, quality, operational and commissioning colleagues to investigate variance from plan or delivery targets and contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate solutions.

10. Monitor provider compliance with contractual obligations and relevant regulatory requirements, ensuring that evidence is recorded and concerns are addressed or escalated appropriately.

11. Coordinate and participate in contract, performance and other relevant meetings, preparing agendas and supporting information where required, presenting advice and analysis, recording decisions and actions, and monitoring follow-up.

12. Maintain accurate contract records, registers, databases, trackers and supporting documentation, ensuring information is current, secure, accessible and suitable for reporting and assurance purposes.

13. Undertake detailed analysis of specific contracts, projects and reports requiring sustained concentration, attention to detail and the ability to draw out key messages from complex information.

14. Develop and maintain mechanisms for tracking contractual risks, issues, actions, milestones and dependencies, supporting proactive resolution and timely escalation.

15. Ensure that information is collected, analysed and reported accurately and within contractual or organisational timescales, taking a lead on specific contracts, reports or improvement projects as agreed.

16. Provide timely specialist advice and guidance on contractual matters, interpreting applicable contract terms, policies and guidance and seeking senior, legal, procurement, finance or other specialist input where necessary.

17. Keep informed of relevant national and local policy, guidance and contractual developments and support colleagues to understand their implications for the Trust and its commissioned services.

18. Contribute to continuous improvement in contracting processes, documentation, reporting and governance, identifying and applying relevant best practice.

Person specification Qualifications and Education

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Skills / Personal Qualities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including summarising complex information and key issues, presenting to a high standard, and communicating in difficult situations requiring persuasion and influence.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information accurately, extract key messages from complex analysis, anticipate and evaluate issues, recommend appropriate action, and present findings in a timely and accessible form.
• Strong problem-solving, strategic-thinking and judgement skills, with attention to detail and the ability to respond to sudden, unexpected demands.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team; manage own workload and changing priorities; nurture key relationships and networks; demonstrate leadership, confidence, a professional, calm and efficient manner, and a positive and flexible approach to work

Knowledge and Training

• Demonstrable knowledge of the NHS contracting process and the NHS Standard Contract
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office and other relevant software, with high-level keyboard skills.
• High level of understanding of confidentiality requirements and the secure, accessible management of electronic records
• Understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of service providers.
• Awareness of the organisation's broad strategic direction.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management and/or performance management.

Experience

• At least three years' experience in an NHS, social care or public sector environment, with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities within it.
• At least twelve months' experience in an NHS health contracting and/or health commissioning environment.
• Experience of communications and stakeholder management, dealing with the public, and handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience of efficient and effective project or programme management, including organising and planning events and supporting information.
• Experience of managing the Full-Length NHS Standard Contract

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Trust Values

• Promotes equality of opportunity and good working relationships, providing practical leadership.
• Maintains confidentiality and trust and demonstrates commitment to continuing professional development.
• Demonstrates reliable attendance and flexibility in working hours to support delivery of the team's objectives.

Using AI for jobs applications:

Whilst we encourage the use of technology to help manage time and support innovation. However, it is your responsibility to ensure your application is personalised and clearly reflects your own skills and experiences. While AI can assist with drafting, it should only be used as a support tool. The content must be your own work and accurately represent your knowledge, abilities, and values. Over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in your application being rejected. A common issue arises when we receive multiple applications with identical or overly generic language.

The use of AI during assessments, including interviews, is not permitted unless it has been pre-approved as part of a reasonable adjustment. For digital interviews . click apply for full job details