Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Head of Contracts

The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job summary

The primary function ofthis role isto oversee all commissioned income contracts and their associated clinical sub-contracts. The postholder willrepresentthe Trust in contractnegotiation andreview meetings and will be a key link between the Trust and its commissioners and sub-contractors -seekingto build stronger and more productive external relationshipswhich maximise Trust income and opportunities and minimise risk.The job would suitan experienced and skilled contract management professional.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be proactive in preparing for meetings, and inidentifyingrisks and opportunities and will report formallyon a monthly basis to the Planning, Contracting and Business Development (PCBD) Group. The Head of Contracts will provide clear, expert advice to internal stakeholders and will actively support operational staff in contractual matters.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that accurate and up-to-date information on contracts is filed, stored and accessible. The position will be managed by the Deputy Director of Contracts, Performance & Business Information.

Commissioners include; ICB, Local Authority and NHS England (section 7a public health).

Various forms for Terms are used - not just the NHS Standard Contract.

About us

A big thank you for considering joining us at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. You'll find it a great place to work with many benefits offered to you as a member of our staff

We put our patients, their families and carers at the centre of our vision - Outstanding Services and Healthier Communities Our staff are proud to be Innovative, Caring and Agile in their work to help achieve the Trust visionWe welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages

We don't want you to miss out so we'd like you to know that if we have a high level of interest in this role, the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date, so please make your application as soon as possible - Apply now

You've made a great decision to apply to join to HCT - we're looking forward to taking the next steps of the journey with you

You can apply to Access to Work to get money for communication support at a job interview - please use this link for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-workYou need to apply before the interview takes place.

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

812-26-AS-HOC-01

Job locations

Howard Court

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Welwyn, Herts

AL7 1BW


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Oversee all commissioned income contracts and associated clinical sub-contracts for the Trust.

  • Represent the Trust in contractnegotiation andreview meetings with commissioners andsub-contractors.

  • Build andmaintainstrong, productive relationships with external partners.

  • Prepare proactively for meetings,identifyingand communicating risks and opportunities.

  • Report formallyon a monthly basisto the Planning, Contracting and Business Development (PCBD) Group.

  • Identifyrisks and opportunitiesassociated with Trust contracts and record, communicate,escalateand manage these appropriately and proactively.

  • Provideclear, expert contractual advice to internal stakeholders.

  • Support operational staff in all contractual matters.

  • Ensureaccurateand up-to-date contract information is filed, stored, and accessible.

  • Identifyand implement improvements in contractnegotiation andmanagement processes.

  • Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

  • Respond to unpredictable situations and manage emotionally demanding elements of the role asrequired.

  • Lead on the implementation and ongoing management of the NHS Standard Contract (and other contracts) for all commissioned services, ensuring the Trusts compliance andmaximisingvalue.

  • Act as the Trusts subject matter expert on the NHS Standard Contract, providing guidance and training to colleagues as needed.

  • Monitor changes to the NHS Standard Contract and ensuretimelyadaptation of Trust processes and documentation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Oversee all commissioned income contracts and associated clinical sub-contracts for the Trust.

  • Represent the Trust in contractnegotiation andreview meetings with commissioners andsub-contractors.

  • Build andmaintainstrong, productive relationships with external partners.

  • Prepare proactively for meetings,identifyingand communicating risks and opportunities.

  • Report formallyon a monthly basisto the Planning, Contracting and Business Development (PCBD) Group.

  • Identifyrisks and opportunitiesassociated with Trust contracts and record, communicate,escalateand manage these appropriately and proactively.

  • Provideclear, expert contractual advice to internal stakeholders.

  • Support operational staff in all contractual matters.

  • Ensureaccurateand up-to-date contract information is filed, stored, and accessible.

  • Identifyand implement improvements in contractnegotiation andmanagement processes.

  • Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

  • Respond to unpredictable situations and manage emotionally demanding elements of the role asrequired.

  • Lead on the implementation and ongoing management of the NHS Standard Contract (and other contracts) for all commissioned services, ensuring the Trusts compliance andmaximisingvalue.

  • Act as the Trusts subject matter expert on the NHS Standard Contract, providing guidance and training to colleagues as needed.

  • Monitor changes to the NHS Standard Contract and ensuretimelyadaptation of Trust processes and documentation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent experience in contract management, law, business administration, or a related field.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience in contract management, preferably within healthcare or public sector environments.
  • In-depth knowledge and practical experience of the NHS Standard Contract, including its General and Service Conditions, and the ability to interpret and apply contract terms in a healthcare setting.
  • Demonstrable experience in negotiating, implementing, and managing contracts, including handling contract variations, dispute resolution, and compliance with national policy priorities.
  • Experience in supporting organisations through formal processes such as, contract reviews, audits, and external assurance processes.
  • Experience supporting operational staff and advising on contractual matters.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to advise on and ensure compliance with NHS Standard Contract requirements, including reporting, risk management, and performance monitoring.
  • Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills and the ability to evaluate and choose an appropriate response to contractual issues, drawing on both technical contractual expertise and relationship skills.
  • Proven ability to identify and manage risks and opportunities and to report effectively to senior management, exercising good judgement.
  • Excellent organizational skills, with a focus on accuracy and accessibility of information.

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to the Trust's values: Innovative, Caring, Agile and a track-record of exhibiting these in their work
  • Full, valid UK driving licence and access to a car with business insurance (if applicable; reasonable adjustments for disability as per the Equality Act 2010).
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent experience in contract management, law, business administration, or a related field.

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience in contract management, preferably within healthcare or public sector environments.
  • In-depth knowledge and practical experience of the NHS Standard Contract, including its General and Service Conditions, and the ability to interpret and apply contract terms in a healthcare setting.
  • Demonstrable experience in negotiating, implementing, and managing contracts, including handling contract variations, dispute resolution, and compliance with national policy priorities.
  • Experience in supporting organisations through formal processes such as, contract reviews, audits, and external assurance processes.
  • Experience supporting operational staff and advising on contractual matters.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to advise on and ensure compliance with NHS Standard Contract requirements, including reporting, risk management, and performance monitoring.
  • Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills and the ability to evaluate and choose an appropriate response to contractual issues, drawing on both technical contractual expertise and relationship skills.
  • Proven ability to identify and manage risks and opportunities and to report effectively to senior management, exercising good judgement.
  • Excellent organizational skills, with a focus on accuracy and accessibility of information.

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to the Trust's values: Innovative, Caring, Agile and a track-record of exhibiting these in their work
  • Full, valid UK driving licence and access to a car with business insurance (if applicable; reasonable adjustments for disability as per the Equality Act 2010).

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

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Howard Court

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Welwyn, Herts

AL7 1BW


Employer's website

https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Address

Howard Court

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Welwyn, Herts

AL7 1BW


Employer's website

https://www.hct.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director of Contracts & Performance

Andy Saunders

andy.saunders1@nhs.net

07973295376

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

812-26-AS-HOC-01

Job locations

Howard Court

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Welwyn, Herts

AL7 1BW


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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