Head of Contracts

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and strategic leader to join our Finance team as Head of Contracts.

This pivotal role will lead the Trust's contracting function, ensuring effective negotiation, management and performance of commissioning and provider contracts. Working closely with senior finance, operational and system leaders, you will maximise income, manage contractual and financial risk, and ensure compliance with national contracting frameworks and NHS Standard Contract requirements.

You will play a key role in supporting the Trust's financial sustainability, leading complex negotiations with commissioners, advising on national payment mechanisms and developing strong partnerships across the Integrated Care System (ICS) and BSW Group. The role offers an excellent opportunity to influence organisational strategy, support service transformation and drive continuous improvement within a high-performing team

Main duties of the job

As Head of Contracts, you will lead the development and delivery of the Trust's contracting strategy, ensuring contracts support organisational priorities, activity plans and financial objectives.

You will:

• Lead complex contract negotiations with commissioners and system partners.
• Oversee the management, performance and governance of NHS contracts.
• Ensure robust income forecasting, reconciliation and income recovery processes.
• Provide expert advice on contractual, commercial and financial risks and opportunities.
• Lead contract performance reporting and assurance processes.
• Support the implementation of national payment mechanisms and contracting reforms.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships across the Trust, BSW Group and ICS partners.
• Lead, motivate and develop the Contracts Team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

We are looking for an experienced NHS contracting, commissioning or healthcare finance professional with excellent analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence at senior levels.

This role may require travel across sites and partner organisations and is subject to rotational opportunities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please find attached to the vacancy a detailed person specification and job description for further information about this role.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.