The Contracts Manager will oversee the entire contract management process, from negotiation to performance analysis, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders. Key responsibilities include developing detailed service specifications, navigating complex contractual negotiations, presenting financial management information, and managing relationships with external commissioners. The role requires a proactive leader who can drive improvements, provide insightful financial analyses, and support Trust-wide strategic initiatives while maximizing contract income and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Trust's Contracts team as a Contracts Manager. The post holders will be responsible for managing a portfolio of contracts with Commissioners and other NHS Providers.
The post holders will also provide advice to Operational Managers and Clinical teams on commissioning and contractual issues.
The successful applicants will have knowledge of the NHS Contracts and the National Tariff Payment System and will understand the changing nature of commissioning policy. Effective communication, relationship building and problem solving skills are essential to this role. They will also be well organised, able to implement robust processes and have a sound understanding of project management principles.
The Contract Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of small/medium/large contracts with Commissioners, including ICBs, NHS England, Local Authority Commissioners and with other NHS Providers. The Contract Manager will support the management of the entire process from the annual negotiation cycle to monthly analysis and reporting and provide regular strategic insight including development of NHS tariffs, financial analysis and overview to support the Head of Contracts & other stakeholders.
The post holder will ensure Trust compliance with all contractual obligations and interpret, advise and implement national guidance. They will manage complex and challenging discussions with Trust clinicians with regard to a range of contractual requirements, such as the implementation of clinical Service Specifications. They will offer expert advice on contracting and commissioning issues to General Managers, their service teams and other internal user groups. In their role they will foster a collaborative relationship with commissioners and ensure that contract performance is understood and that contract income is maximised.
The post holder will have responsibility for the development and successful delivery of a range of improvement plans and manage key projects from time to time. They will be a highly motivated individual able to demonstrate leadership and problem-solving skills.
About us
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Contract Management
- Deliver a robust contract management function for designated contracts from the Trusts contract portfolio.
- Provide advice and guidance as an expert in their field with an in-depth knowledge of complex contract arrangements for designated areas of responsibility and lead on contract management for this area for the team.
- Keep abreast of changing complex contractual guidance from all commissioner, including ICBs, NHS England, and Local Authority contracts for services.
- Receive highly complex information from commissioners and interpret this appropriately for relevant trust services and communicate key messages in an accessible manner for internal stakeholders.
- Develop detailed service specifications for inclusion within contract documentation.
- Lead contract negotiations for designated contracts and provide contract negotiation support to the Head of Contracts on wider contract portfolio through expert knowledge of wider provider landscape and leverage opportunities.
- Responsible for contract development and contract finalisation including contract value, with clearly defined processes for engaging the internal and stakeholders.
- Act in collaboration with Care Group Managers and Finance Business Partners to develop and agree contractual agreements for new service arrangements with other providers.
Financial Management
- Provide and present complex contract and financial management information, analysis and advice to the finance senior management team, operational managers and other senior staff throughout the Trust to support understanding of performance against contractual agreements.
- Respond to variances in activity and financial information with external stakeholders, sensitively navigating negotiations where this is highly contentious.
- Ensure the Contract Performance (Financial and Activity) is monitored to the agreed timeframes i.e. monthly, quarterly or half yearly and any variances investigated with Care Group teams and highlighted to the Head of Contracts.
- Manage the development and maintenance of an integrated financial performance report, including analysis of trends and forecasts for key areas of responsibility e.g. Drugs or Devices to support financial decision making.
- Monitor and evaluate services in accordance with contracted activity levels and key performance/quality indicators identifying risks/adverse variances and contribute to action plans and service developments.
- Work with Care Groups teams and other senior staff to maximise income generation.
- Act in collaboration with Care Group teams in reviewing all costs and prices and recommend changes required for contracting arrangements.
- Ensure that all managers are aware of, and act in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions and internal Trust contract management processes.
Leadership
- Play a key role in the relationship management with the commissioners and other external stakeholders, developing a deep understanding of their needs and helping to coordinate an organisation wide response.
- Responsible for developing and maintaining excellent relationships with internal and external staff founded on provision of expert contracting support and an understanding of their contracting priorities and limitations.
- Develop a deep understanding of services provided by the trust, and their ongoing development, utilising strong relationships with Care Groups teams and Finance Business Partners, to support high quality discussions with commissioners.
- Responsible for fostering positive and constructive relationships, engendering honest and open communication and mutual respect between commissioners and providers.
- Responsible for providing contract dispute resolution support to reach mutually acceptable solutions to contract issues.
- Recommend improvements and changes to local working practices and propose department wide policy improvements
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