East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Contracts Manager

The closing date is 16 December 2025

Job summary

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to lead all contracting activities for healthcare services across the Trust. This pivotal role ensures robust contractual arrangements, maximises income streams, and supports strategic business development.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead negotiations and performance management of complex NHS and non-NHS contracts.
Coordinate tenders and applications for ESHT to become an Any Qualified Provider (AQP).
Ensure compliance with national policies, statutory guidance, and NHS Standing Financial Instructions.
Maintain a comprehensive database of contracts and service level agreements.
Provide expert advice on commercial aspects, financial options, and risk mitigation.

About You:

Degree-level education (or equivalent) with advanced IT skills.
Expertise in contract law, tendering, and financial management.
Significant experience in negotiating and managing complex agreements.
Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Ability to analyse and present complex data clearly.
Proactive and resilient, thriving in challenging situations.

Why Join Us?

Influence contracts linked to a £760m income stream.
Drive strategic initiatives including tenders and AQP applications.
Collaborate with senior leaders, clinicians, and external partners.
Grow professionally in NHS contracting and policy implementation.

We are proud to be an ACCA Approved Employer - Trainee Development - Gold.

Main duties of the job

What You'll Do

Lead and manage contracts for healthcare services, ensuring compliance and best value.
Negotiate and performance manage complex NHS and non-NHS agreements.
Coordinate tenders and AQP applications, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
Monitor contract performance, quality, and financial standards, implementing corrective actions where needed.
Resolve disputes and complaints related to agreements professionally and effectively.
Develop and maintain a contracts database and robust reporting systems.
Provide expert advice on commercial and financial aspects to senior leaders.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities to support Trust growth.
Supervise and develop staff, including training on national contract requirements.
Analyse complex data to inform decision-making and strategic planning.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Date posted

03 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-LVB1425

Job locations

St Anne's House, Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7PT

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree or equivalent level
Proven expertise in contract law and tendering and other relevant processes
Related professional accountancy/finance qualification including membership

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience of negotiating and performance management of highly complex service level agreements and or contracts as a purchaser or as a supplier
Experience of preparing or assessing tenders for clinical or other services
Experience of disseminating and training staff at all levels on contractual and policy issues
Experience of resolving internal and external disputes at senior level
Experience of staff management and dispute resolution

Desirable

Knowledge and experience of the AQP (any qualified provider) or Provider Selection Regime processes gained through preparing or assessing applications
Experience of working within the NHS as a provider or commissioner

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to a range of stakeholders and colleagues through both verbally and written
Ability to make decisions using effective rationales and clarity of purpose

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree or equivalent level
Proven expertise in contract law and tendering and other relevant processes
Related professional accountancy/finance qualification including membership

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience of negotiating and performance management of highly complex service level agreements and or contracts as a purchaser or as a supplier
Experience of preparing or assessing tenders for clinical or other services
Experience of disseminating and training staff at all levels on contractual and policy issues
Experience of resolving internal and external disputes at senior level
Experience of staff management and dispute resolution

Desirable

Knowledge and experience of the AQP (any qualified provider) or Provider Selection Regime processes gained through preparing or assessing applications
Experience of working within the NHS as a provider or commissioner

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
Ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to a range of stakeholders and colleagues through both verbally and written
Ability to make decisions using effective rationales and clarity of purpose

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

St Anne's House, Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7PT

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

St Anne's House, Conquest Hospital

729 The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7PT

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)