Assistant Director (Contract Management)

Job overview

The Assistant Director (Contract Management) provides senior commercial leadership to embed a Trust‑wide, post‑award contract management function that delivers value for money, financial control and effective supplier performance across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the postholder operates with significant professional autonomy, providing assurance to Executive Directors and senior governance forums.

The role leads contract governance, assurance and compliance, ensuring adherence to the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime, counter‑fraud requirements and Trust Standing Financial Instructions. Acting as senior escalation for high‑value, high‑risk and complex contracts, the postholder manages disputes and mitigates financial, operational and reputational risk.

A core responsibility is supporting financial recovery through leadership of the Contract Management Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), using contract data and supplier performance insight to deliver and sustain cash‑releasing savings and prevent value leakage. The postholder is accountable for effective use of contract management systems, maintaining accurate contract registers, and robust reporting.

The role also provides professional leadership for contract managers and develops strategic supplier relationships to improve service quality, efficiency and patient outcomes.

Main duties of the job

See the attached job description for a full list of duties, responsibilities and person specification.

• Lead and embed a Trust‑wide post‑award contract management function, ensuring consistent governance and effective supplier performance across divisions.
• Provide senior commercial leadership and act as escalation for high‑value, high‑risk and complex contracts, including dispute resolution.
• Deliver strong financial grip and control over non‑pay spend, preventing value leakage and securing contractual benefits and service credits.
• Lead the Contract Management Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), delivering and sustaining cash‑releasing savings.
• Provide expert commercial assurance to Executive Directors, Audit Committee and Finance‑led committees on contract risk, performance and value for money.
• Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime, counter‑fraud requirements and Trust Standing Financial Instructions.
• Lead contract governance, assurance and audit activity, including internal and external audit responses.
• Act as Senior Responsible Owner for contract management systems, ensuring accurate registers, data quality and reporting.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships to improve performance, innovation and service quality.
• Act as professional lead for the Trust’s contract management community, setting standards, building capability and holding suppliers to account.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

See the attached job description for a full list of main duties and responsibilities and person specification.

The Assistant Director (Contract Management) provides senior commercial leadership to establish and embed a Trust‑wide, post‑award contract management function that delivers value for money, financial control and strong supplier performance across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the postholder operates with significant professional autonomy and delegated authority, providing assurance to Executive Directors and senior governance forums.

The role leads the Trust’s approach to contract governance, assurance and compliance, ensuring adherence to the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime, counter‑fraud requirements and Trust Standing Financial Instructions. The postholder acts as senior escalation for high‑value, high‑risk and complex contracts, resolving disputes and mitigating financial, operational and reputational risk.

A core responsibility is driving financial recovery through leadership of the Contract Management Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), using contract data, analytics and supplier performance management to identify, deliver and sustain cash‑releasing savings and prevent value leakage. The role is accountable for effective use of contract management systems, maintaining accurate contract registers, reporting and assurance.

The postholder acts as professional lead for the Trust’s contract management community, setting standards, building capability and ensuring suppliers are held to account, while developing strong strategic supplier relationships that improve service quality, efficiency and patient outcomes.