Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Comprehensive Contract Management

To develop and maintain processes to ensure the Trust complies with the terms and conditions of the standard NHS contract (acute and community), APMS and PDS+ contracts for the above contract portfolio.

To actively support the development, negotiation and agreement of the contracts each year.

To lead the development of the contract schedules

To manage the ongoing contract processes e.g. drafting and responding to contract variations, performance notices etc.

To lead the development of new healthcare contracts in response to new business won by the Trust

To develop an internal contract monitoring framework designed to safeguard income, ensure compliance with performance standards and effectively manage ongoing issues with commissioners.

To maintain a highly detailed and comprehensive understanding of the terms of the standard NHS contract, APMS contract and PDS+ to provide advice and guidance to Executive Team and staff, considering options and making recommendations on the management of contractual issues.

In conjunction with finance and information colleagues, make available accurate, timely and detailed information and analysis relating to contract monitoring.

To support a comprehensive understanding of the standard NHS contract, APMS and PDS+ contracts within the Trust through effective communications, summary information and training.

To develop forward thinking and innovative approaches to contract development, and maximise the use of new technologies and leading edge contracting techniques

To support development, agreement and monitoring of healthcare sub-contracts and service level agreements

To provide a comprehensive contract management service for the Trust, working in close collaboration with the relevant personnel in the Finance, Performance and Information teams. Contracting responsibilities will include:

Contract Negotiations

To provide expert technical advice and guidance and ensure the accurate and timely production of costed activity proposals for contract negotiations with commissioners including CCGs, Specialised Commissioning, Local Authorities etc.

Directly coordinate the annual process of negotiation to establish key changes for contracts and write supporting business cases/briefing papers. In conjunction with Service Leads, the post-holder will negotiate key changes with commissioners, ensuring the development and maintenance of all associated contract documentation.

To ensure timely information, reports, and analysis is available to assist Service Leads in developing the Trust’s negotiating strategy for each round of contract negotiations. This will involve working closely with colleagues in Performance and Information services and Finance.

Provide oversight of contract negotiations, maintaining records, data, and documentation pertaining to the developing contractual process within strict deadlines.

Maintaining Technical Knowledge

Develop a thorough knowledge of current NHS contractual and procurement policy/guidance, and organise this information so that it is readily available and understood within the wider Trust advising senior colleagues where necessary.

To internally communicate and explain the implications of changes to national or local contracting policy and supporting in the production of appropriate impact assessments (e.g. Best Practice Tariffs).

Research and maintain up to date knowledge of local and National initiatives, guidance, and direction.

The post-holder will be required to represent the team in key presentations to internal forums to raise the profile of the contract.

In Year Contract Management

In conjunction with locality teams, play a lead role in the in-year contract management meetings with commissioning. Ensure that all information, analysis, and documentation are prepared and available in a timely manner. In so doing to ensure that the meetings are productive, effective and reflect the Trust in a professional and business like way during our contacts with these organisations and other agencies. Elements may include the information schedules, the performance assurance framework, registers and schedules.

To support Service Leads in regular discussions with commissioners to maintain appropriate records of such discussions, and ensure that there is a robust system within the directorate to capture and disseminate this information.

Maintain and develop a central register containing the status of all remedial action plans across the Trust is fully operational, working with Service Leads to ensure these are achievable and delivering. The postholder will be directly responsible for pulling together robust responses to all Contract Performance Notices, Activity Query Notices etc. and ensuring all supporting plans offer the right level of assurance and are achievable.

Develop and maintain systems to ensure corporate oversight of all Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) schemes

Other Contracting Duties

Lead on all key sub-contracts – including the direct negotiation and achievement of cost savings where appropriate.

Working with colleagues in Finance, and other teams, to identify, analyse and report on areas where the Trust is under recovering income. Identify areas where income is at risk due to non-compliance with contract conditions, and ensure that such information is actioned and escalated where necessary.

Make decisions on a range of complex project issues where there might be more than one course of action by interpreting national guidance.