SEHSCT Contracting Services Manager Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Belfast Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: Belfast Area (SEHSCT)
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: To create a waiting list
• Opening Date: 27/05/26
• Closes: Wed, 10 June 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose

The postholder will support the Contracts and Social Care Procurement Manager in the development, implementation and operation of the Trusts contract and social care procurement systems. This Department is a corporate business partner and this role has a key contribution to make in supporting the Trust to achieve its strategic objectives.

The postholder will provide senior operational leadership and governance assurance across a defined portfolio of complex health and social care contracts, including responsibility for escalation, risk management and assurance reporting to senior management.

Main Responsibilities

The role will have a particular focus on the development, management and monitoring of the contracting arrangements within the Trust with the Independent Sector and other Statutory Organisations, ensuring that contracting processes are uniform across all areas of the Trust and are aligned to regional guidance best practice and organisational priorities.

The post-holder will work with Service Managers to ensure that the Trust makes full use of all potential opportunities available to it to ensure high quality, cost effective care provision. The post holder will ensure that a robust contract is in place and that an escalation policy exists with regard to all aspects of non-compliance.

The post holder will be the Contracts and Social Care Procurement Departments support (and lead where appropriate) on specific procurement initiatives, liaising with the Business Services Organisation (BSO) and other relevant public Sector Organisations to ensure adherence to policy and legislative requirements.

The post-holder will contribute to the development, management and success of the team.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Setting Direction

To ensure that systems and processes are in place to provide assurance of Provider adherence to contractual terms and conditions so that Service Users are in receipt of the required services.

To manage the development and operation of contracting processes with all non statutory Providers and other statutory organisations ensuring all documentation and monitoring arrangements are in place.

To work closely with Service Managers and Staff to ensure that the Trust’s Service Users receive the highest quality of care.

To support (and lead where appropriate) on specific procurement initiatives, liaising with the BSO and other relevant public sector Organisations to ensure adherence to policy and legislative requirements.

To ensure the development of a consistent Trust-wide approach to contracts with uniformity of delivery and appropriate monitoring and actions as required are implemented meeting audit requirements.

Provide senior professional leadership on contracting matters, offering authoritative advice and assurance to senior managers and Directors as required.

Contribute to Trustwide strategic planning and the development of consistent contracting approaches aligned to regional policy and organisational priorities.

Delivering the service

Lead on the management of a complex portfolio of contracts, ensuring that governance, financial, quality and performance requirements are met and that appropriate escalation and corrective action is taken where required.

To implement contracting process, in partnership and collaboration with Service Managers and ensure that there are robust policies, protocols and escalation points for all issues of governance, including organisational, financial and clinical and social care related.

Lead and coordinate the Department’s annual operational contracting cycle, ensuring timely planning, implementation, monitoring, review and reporting of contracting activity in line with governance, financial and performance requirements.

Take responsibility for preparation of all contracts, and prepare reports in relation to health and social care contract performance, advising and highlighting by exception areas of variance to the relevant Service group in a timely manner.

Provide advice and guidance on contracting issues to Service Managers.

To provide timely and accurate performance data on contracting activity for integration with the Trust Performance Management System.

Support the development and contribute to the generation of new reporting arrangements to meet changing Service needs.

Contribute to service and budget agreement performance reviews, identifying cost pressures, valueformoney opportunities and areas of financial risk.

Analyse contractual and performance data and advise senior management by exception on material variances, risks and remedial actions.

Development and Innovation

To continually seek ways to enhance the formal presentation of contract performance information and develop innovative ways of disseminating the information to relevant audiences.

To contribute to regular service and budget agreement performance reviews with Service Managers to ensure that activity targets are met within given timescales.

Self-direct and project manage as required.

Lead or project manage complex pieces of work relating to contracting or procurement improvement, ensuring delivery within agreed timescales and governance arrangements.

Represent the Trust, as appropriate, on external groups, for example Regional Groups established to take forward contracting issues regionally

Collaborative Working

To continually seek to develop new partnership arrangements with external providers, tailoring provision to the needs of the Trust and providing improved value for money.

Work closely with other Independent Sector organisations and statutory agencies in order to maximise the opportunities for emerging models of care and promoting the independence of Service Users in community settings.

To act as a source of expertise in relation to all contracting processes and work collaboratively with all Trust Service Managers as appropriate.

To support and co-ordinate service user and Provider contracting forums.

Represent the Trust at regional, external and multiagency forums relating to contracting and procurement, contributing to the development of regional approaches and best practice.

Communication and Information Management

Support and maintain robust communication systems within the Trust on contracting and procurement and ensure appropriate information is available to support these processes. Review at least an annual basis.

Working with other relevant groups, supporting the development of practices, effective communications and involvement mechanisms for Service Users, Carers and Staff as appropriate.

Ensure appropriate information is available to support the Contracting function for the Trust.

Prepare, analyse and deliver relevant reports to support the management of the Directorate’s services.

Manage and co-ordinate all appropriate internal and external communications in accordance with Trust policy.

Contribute to the establishment of robust communication systems, within the Trust to support all aspects of service planning / contracts and performance management.

Contribute to the establishment of robust systems of communication processes with the HSCB and other stakeholders that support planning, performance and accountability requirements.

Quality

To promote and support Service Managers to undertake audits, inspections, benchmarking and other mechanisms to ensure that Independent Sector organisations are delivering the service specified in contracts, and that the service provision is efficient, effective and improving outcomes for Service Users.

Lead preparation for internal and external audit activity relating to contracting activity, ensuring that audit recommendations are implemented and sustained.

To ensure that the risk register for the Department is kept current and reviewed in line with Trust policy.

Develop and maintain systems and processes that meet audit and ISO requirements and that Audit recommendations accepted by the Trust are implemented.

Ensure that service and operational changes implemented reflect commissioner intentions and Trust priorities, and are conductive to effective patient/client care.

Ensure high standards of Governance within the service planning /contracting function.

People Management and Development

Provide strong and clear leadership to staff working within the Department to ensure the provision of high quality services and maintain good staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to the post holder.

Provide professional leadership and mentorship to senior staff within the team, supporting capability development, succession planning and workforce resilience.

Ensure the staff structures support a culture of effective team working, staff recognition, continuous improvement and innovation.

Lead by example in practicing the highest standards of conduct in accordance with the code of conduct for HPSS managers

Participate in the Trust’s Staff Appraisal Scheme. Review individually on a regular basis the performance of immediately subordinate staff. Provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate, where appropriate, further training.

Ensure that the review of performance identified above is performed for all level of staff within accordance with the Trusts policy

Where appropriate, review the organisational plan and establishment levels and ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives and recommend change where appropriate.

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making whilst retaining responsibility and accountability for results.

Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Promote the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity through his/her own actions and ensure that this policy is adhered to by staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Where appropriate, undertake other duties as may be required from time to time which are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organisation supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Organisational policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins The Organisation’s values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern H&SC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern H&SC Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE Contracting Services Manager

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Finance and Estates

SALARY Band 7

HOURS Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Ref No: LEAD May 2026

A waiting list will be compiled for any similar Permanent / Temporary / Full-Time posts that may arise over the next 6 months

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 and 2 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

1. A relevant degree or professional qualification and have at least 2 years experience in the last 5 years in a middle management role* in a contracting or commissioning role.

OR

2. Have worked for at least 4 years in the last 5 years in a middle management role* in a contracting or commissioning role.

* “Middle Management” is defined as Band 6 or above or equivalent salary.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Experience of managing or supervising staff or leading a team.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Experience of managing complex workstreams, programmes or operational cycles.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Experience of working with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Experience of analysing data and producing reports to inform decision-making

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Experience of operating within governance frameworks and escalating issues appropriately.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by The Organisation which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of governance, accountability and risk management processes within a public sector or health and social care environment.

Understanding of contract management, procurement or financial management processes.

Ability to lead and manage staff effectively.

Ability to interpret complex financial, performance or contractual information and present it clearly.

Ability to manage competing priorities within an annual operational cycle.

Strong negotiation, influencing and problem-solving skills.

Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.

Measured at Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Experience working in a contracting, commissioning or procurement environment.

Knowledge of Public Contract Regulations 2015.

Experience within a health and social care setting.

Professional qualification or working towards qualification in procurement, finance or management.

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - Equal Opportunities Employer - HSCNI Jobs

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered.

If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times