Job summary
- Main area
- Commissioning
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 253-1126-8365331
- Employer
- The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre
- Town
- Dudley
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Contracts Manager
NHS AfC: Band 6
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.
Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Principal Duties & 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 escalate 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
Essential criteria
- 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.
Desirable criteria
- MCIPS or Contract Management postgraduate qualification
Skills / Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- 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
Essential criteria
- 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.
Desirable criteria
- Awareness of the organisation’s broad strategic direction.
- Comprehensive knowledge of project management and/or performance management.
Experience
Essential criteria
- 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.
Desirable criteria
- 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
Essential criteria
- 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.
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Hedley Bucktin
- Job title
- Senior Contracts Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07769319383
- Additional information
Joanne Taylor - Head of Strategic Commissioning and Transformation
07712240219
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