Job summary The Senior Contract Manager position within the ICB is a crucial role responsible for the management and performance support for the Mental Health, Community and CYP contract portfolio delivered by the Team. The post holder will support the Contract Lead with the negotiation and management of the ICB's contract portfolio of commissioned services including high value in system, non-NHS and voluntary sector contracts, having responsibility for developing effective, flexible, and innovative solutions for the management of the contract portfolio. The role will require previous experience of the negotiation and performance management of services under the NHS Standard Contract and use of commercial agreements where necessary. An understanding and awareness of the commissioning cycle and the Provider Selection Regime will be a key requirement, as well as knowledge of the NHS Payment Scheme including all payment mechanisms within it. The role involves collaborative working across Trusts and between Trusts, neighbouring ICBs and the NHSE Regional team. The postholder will also provide and receive complex, sensitive, and contentious financial information which they will need to share and present to a wide range of stakeholders on sensitive financial Main duties of the job The postholder will be required to actively review emerging National Contracting, Pricing and Provider Selection Regime/Procurement Act Guidance and rules that affect contracting strategies and translating Guidance into business as usual and team knowledge and consistent practice where relevant. The successful applicant will line manage a team of contract managers and other contract/business support staff and will plan, manage and prioritise the team's workload including responsibility for supporting appraisals, development coordination of training of staff, recruitment, and where necessary processes such as disciplinary and grievance matters. About us Joining our organisation means becoming part of a team dedicated to improving health and delivering value through effective contract management and strategic planning. As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in supporting the ICB to fulfil its statutory obligations in contracting. Operating in a flexible and demanding environment, you will need to confidently engage with stakeholders, to build strong, collaborative relationships, and to nurture key relationships to maintain networks internally and externally. You will also be integral for planning for and holding challenging conversations as well as supporting and advising on potentially contentious situations with colleagues and stakeholders, working to communicate and present complex information. The postholder will work closely with various teams and clinical portfolio leads and foster a collaborative working environment. Your expertise will be instrumental in guiding ICB staff including directors, ensuring that they have the necessary support to effectively monitor contract compliance and meet statutory duties. You will be expected to prepare reports for decision making committees and boards within the wider Integrated Care System. Date posted 27 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 495-ICB-5934SP Job locations King Edward VII Aldershot Centre for Health Windsor SL4 3DP Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will possess a strong background and experience in contract management, commissioning, procurement and performance management ideally within the NHS or a sector of comparable complexity. The postholder must be confident assimilating and/or navigating large volumes of supplementary resources including the Provider Selection Regime, Patient Choice and the NHS Standard Contract guidance and be able to embed current practice into the day to day running of the team in delivering the required level of service and support required by ICB Portfolio Directors and their teams, and executive leads. Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills are essential, along with the ability to navigate complex and potentially contentious situations with colleagues and stakeholders. The candidate should have experience in nurturing key relationships with senior and high-profile individuals and maintaining networks effectively. The candidate should also demonstrate the ability to manage and motivate teams with a commitment to equality of opportunity, and support us continue with building a collaborative and accountable working environment that our team can thrive in. The ideal candidate should be committed to personal and professional development, act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers and adhere to relevant legislation and organisational policies. Overall, we are seeking a candidate who is dedicated, experienced, and capable of contributing to the operational success of our organisation. Job description Job responsibilities The successful candidate will possess a strong background and experience in contract management, commissioning, procurement and performance management ideally within the NHS or a sector of comparable complexity. The postholder must be confident assimilating and/or navigating large volumes of supplementary resources including the Provider Selection Regime, Patient Choice and the NHS Standard Contract guidance and be able to embed current practice into the day to day running of the team in delivering the required level of service and support required by ICB Portfolio Directors and their teams, and executive leads. Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills are essential, along with the ability to navigate complex and potentially contentious situations with colleagues and stakeholders. The candidate should have experience in nurturing key relationships with senior and high-profile individuals and maintaining networks effectively. The candidate should also demonstrate the ability to manage and motivate teams with a commitment to equality of opportunity, and support us continue with building a collaborative and accountable working environment that our team can thrive in. The ideal candidate should be committed to personal and professional development, act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers and adhere to relevant legislation and organisational policies. Overall, we are seeking a candidate who is dedicated, experienced, and capable of contributing to the operational success of our organisation. Person Specification Knowledge, Training and Experience Essential Educated to masters level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area. Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level equivalent. Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement. Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations. Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, contracting and performance management either within the NHS or a sector of comparable complexity Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, contracting and performance management within Mental Health, Community or CYP services in the NHS. Knowledge of the NHS Standard Contract. Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of health services Knowledge and understanding of the NHS Payment Scheme including all payment mechanisms within it Communication Skills Essential Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups. Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change. Analytical Essential Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise Knowledge or experience of use of MHSDS or CSDS NHS data sets, or CDS Planning Skills Essential Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects Must be confident assimilating and/or navigating large volumes of supplementary resources including the Provider Selection Regime, Patient Choice and the NHS Standard Contract guidance. Management Skills Essential Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals. Autonomy Freedom to Act Essential Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Sponsor/ Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales. Experience of identifying and interpreting National policy and guidance. Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve system reform (advising on policy implementation). Person Specification Knowledge, Training and Experience Essential Educated to masters level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area. Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level equivalent. Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement. Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations. Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, contracting and performance management either within the NHS or a sector of comparable complexity Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, contracting and performance management within Mental Health, Community or CYP services in the NHS. Knowledge of the NHS Standard Contract. Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of health services Knowledge and understanding of the NHS Payment Scheme including all payment mechanisms within it Communication Skills Essential Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups. Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change. Analytical Essential Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options. Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise Knowledge or experience of use of MHSDS or CSDS NHS data sets, or CDS Planning Skills Essential Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects Must be confident assimilating and/or navigating large volumes of supplementary resources including the Provider Selection Regime, Patient Choice and the NHS Standard Contract guidance. Management Skills Essential Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals. Autonomy Freedom to Act Essential Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Sponsor/ Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales. Experience of identifying and interpreting National policy and guidance. Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve system reform (advising on policy implementation). Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board Address King Edward VII Aldershot Centre for Health Windsor SL4 3DP Employer's website https://www.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)