Job vacancy: Senior Contracts Manager, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley

Job summary

Main area: Commissioning
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (At The Dudley Group, we understand the benefits of offering a range of flexible working options from day one of employment to support both employees and the Trust. Offering flexible working opportunities is one of the ways that the Trust aims to attract and retain a diverse workforce. Further information on the options available can be found via the link in the job advert.)
Job ref: 253-0726-8117482

Employer: The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre
Town: Dudley
Salary: £57,528 - £64,750 Pro rata Per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 07/08/2026 23:59

Senior Contracts Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria

Educated to master’s degree level and/or registration with the appropriate professional body plus experience, OR equivalent relevant experience in contracting
Expert knowledge of contracting acquired through practice and/or professional qualification in specialist area (CIPS)
Demonstrable experience of working in an NHS health contracting environment as a Contract Manager level
Advanced skills in a range of software e.g. Microsoft Office

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

Demonstrate experience and understanding of NHS Contracting.
Demonstrate extensive knowledge and expertise across finance, information and NHS Standard contracting functions with specific detailed knowledge of contractual processes and performance monitoring.
Demonstrable experience in dealing with the public and dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of health services.
Experience in developing and maintaining effective electronic and paper filing systems, to ensure that information is kept securely and is accessible to other members of the team.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.

Desirable criteria

Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence
Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues verbally and in writing.
Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate
Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
The promotion of equality of opportunity and good working relations (providing practical leadership).
Demonstrable in-depth knowledge of the NHS Contracting process and use of the NHS Technical Guidance
Excellent writing skills, including the ability to summarise information and key issues
Awareness of the broad strategic direction of the organisation
Leadership skills encompassing confidence both personally and professionally
High level keyboard skills – proficient in Microsoft office suite of tools
Excellent Presentation skills
Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others
Demonstrable experience of influencing and negotiating on complex and contentious matters

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and changes in the NHS and contracting environment.
Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
Maintains a professional calm and efficient manner
Effective organiser, influencer and networker
Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals
Flexible approach to meet all responsibilities of the role, positive attitude, self-management or motivation
Intuitive, good judgement and the ability to communicate thoughts clearly and simply
Positive attitude and highly self-motivated and can motivate others.
Completer/Finisher
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clinicians and professional staff both internally and externally
Excellent attendance and non-sickness record, with a flexible approach to working hours within the office to support the objectives of the team are delivered

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Essential criteria

Awareness of equality and valuing diversity principles
Understanding of Confidentiality and Data Protection Act

Autonomy

Essential criteria

Ability to make decisions autonomously, on difficult and complex specialist issues, working to tight and often changing timescales

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, you may be asked to provide a 360-degree view of your surroundings on camera and confirm that no additional devices are present. If we suspect AI is being used during an interview, we may pause the process to clarify or adjust our approach to questioning.

Caring for patients demands integrity, honesty, and accountability. We expect your application and participation to be authentic and a genuine reflection of your own experiences and values.

UK Home Office Visa Sponsorship Requirements

In line with UK Home Office rules, Band 2 clinical and non‑clinical roles, and Band 3 non‑clinical roles, are not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Please note that most non‑clinical roles at Agenda for Change Bands 3–6 will not meet the minimum skill or salary requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration for sponsorship, except for those listed here: Skilled Worker visa: immigration salary list - GOV.UK.

Non‑clinical roles at Agenda for Change Bands 7–9 that meet the required skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold are eligible for sponsorship.

The Trust will also accept applications from candidates who can evidence their existing right to work in the UK or who hold an alternative eligible visa.

RECRUITMENT EQUALITY STATEMENT

We are committed to equal opportunities and want to ensure our workforce is representative of the population we serve. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and diverse groups. It is essential we understand our demographics, in order that we can monitor our performance as an equal opportunity employer, as well as continuing to embed a culture of inclusivity across the organisation, which supports the active participation and contribution of our diverse staff groups in the Trusts decision making processes . On application the shortlisting manager will not see this criterion and therefore it cannot be part of their decision making. Please ensure you complete your equal opportunities questions for us and help us to make sure everyone is welcome.

The Trust is committed to employing and supporting people with disabilities. It is the Trust’s policy to interview all candidates with a disability who meet the minimum ‘essential’ criteria as identified on the person specification. To ensure we know you have a disability, please inform us under the appropriate section on the application form. We welcome applications from the LGBTQ+ community and openly encourage people with different sexual orientation, gender identity and expression to apply to join our team. We promise to respect and encourage the use of all pronouns and will not purposefully mis-gender anyone.

We are governed by the public sector equality duties and by our values of Care, Respect and Responsibility to ensure we eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other behaviour that is unlawful, undermines our core values and/or falls short of our Behaviour Framework. We want all of our staff to ‘call out’ any behaviour from colleagues, patients or visitors that constitutes the above and appropriate action be taken.

We will, at every opportunity, advance equality and inclusivity for all staff, at all levels within the organisation, by removing or minimising disadvantage, encouraging participation and taking all relevant steps to meet the needs of anyone who shares a protected characteristic. We will also foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic by tackling prejudice and promoting understanding at every opportunity.

We have staff Networks in place to help support staff experience of diverse staff groups and inform us on the actions, interventions and support what we need to put in place to improve the working lives and daily experiences of all colleagues and all teams. Anyone can join the networks and we take pride in having Allies as part of every network within the organisation.

By submitting an application for a position with this organisation, you are declaring that the information given is true and complete, any deliberate omission, falsification or misrepresentation will be grounds for rejecting the application or subsequent dismissal, and where applicable, for positions that requires registration with a professional body, you authorise us to make the required employer checks on your professional registration status.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Please note, preference will be given to at risk employees.

Applicants MUST ensure that they provide details of their referees and their referee email addresses on their application form otherwise their application may not be considered.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in your application to its preferred applicant management system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Record system.