Contract Relationship Lead

Job overview

The Contract Relationship Lead is responsible for managing and maintaining effective relationship based contractual arrangements with providers delivering NHS services and other commissioners, where joint commissioning arrangements are in place.

The postholder will act as the key liaison for contracts between the ICB and providers, fostering collaborative partnerships, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement in service quality and value for money. Responsible for a portfolio of contract providers, the postholder will be responsible for bringing together subject matter expertise, including Contract Managers, Business Intelligence, clinical, commissioning and finance colleagues from across the ICB to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to stakeholder engagement and contract management.

This role is responsible for ensuring effective performance oversight arrangements are in place to ensure contracts are delivering in line with agreed expectations, outcomes are being achieved and that risks are identified early and mitigated. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring appropriate developments through the lifecycle of a contract, including changes to services commissioned to reflect emerging best practice and reducing unwarranted variation, working closely with commissioning colleagues and providers to identify opportunities for improvement.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for leading a portfolio of contracts and contracts team.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with providers and stakeholders, acting as the main named point of contact and relationship lead for the portfolio.

Working closely with the Associate Director, contribute to the development of contract negotiation strategies and lead on elements of contractual planning.

Lead the negotiation, and management of provider contracts, including variations in year to drive continuous improvement to outcomes.

Implement agreed stakeholder and contractual management processes, ensuring effective monitoring and reporting of provider contractual delivery, working closely with the contract’s payer function.

Ensure appropriate oversight of activity, finance and outcome performance and subsequent reporting to ICB Board and relevant sub committees to provide assurance on effective contractual delivery.

Acting as the relationship lead on contractual matters for the ICB, coordinate subject matter expertise from across the ICB in a matrix way, to ensure a cohesive and holistic assessment of performance, risks and opportunities.

Work closely with NHS England teams leading on performance management to support coordinated oversight and reporting on delivery at provider level and ICB level, providing assurance on the ICBs contract management approach.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Support transformation initiatives and service redesign through relationships and contractual levers, working closely with commissioning colleagues to ensure successful implementation of new care models, working flexibly to adapt to new and emerging contractual frameworks, i.e. Neighbourhood health.

Lead the identification of risks, design and implementation of mitigation strategies, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate escalation where necessary.

Lead on development, implementation and assurance of recovery plans where there is performance variation against contract deliverables, creating an environment of trusted check and challenge dialogue with providers.

Lead on activity and financial planning and forecasting related to provider contracts.

Contribute to strategic and operational planning requirements, ensuring appropriate translation into effective contract approaches.The Contract Relationship Lead provides operational and managerial leadership across a defined portfolio, ensuring that priorities are delivered effectively and in line with organisational and system objectives. Working closely with the Head of Service and Associate Director, the postholder will translate strategic ambitions into achievable delivery plans and measurable outcomes.

A core aspect of the role is to maintain high standards of service delivery and governance, ensuring performance targets are met, risks are managed, and improvement opportunities are realised. The Lead will encourage innovation, empower teams, and ensure that decision-making is informed by data and evidence.

Through effective leadership, collaboration, and a strong focus on outcomes, the Lead contributes to the ICB’s vision of integrated, high-quality, and sustainable care for the local population.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications. Applicants are advised to submit their application at the earliest opportunity, as we may close the advert without prior notice.