Senior Contract Manager

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board

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Job summary

NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Senior Contract Manager to join our Strategy and Planning Directorate as part of the Acute contracting team.

Reporting to the Head of Contracts, the right candidate will be an excellent communicator able to demonstrate strong negotiation skills and an ability to build successful relationships with both our providers and the team's internal customers.

You should be committed to improving population health, able to link effective contract management with the delivery of the ICB's strategic and financial goals and feel confident in challenging performance where necessary to achieve that.

Experience and ability to draw succinct conclusions by analysing complex and sometimes noisy data and information from disparate sources to support effective internal decision-making processes will be essential in this role.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for directly managing and reporting on a mixed portfolio of contracts with DDICB as either a lead or an associate commissioner.

You will brief senior managers as well as providing advice and support to the wider team and directorate on a range of contract related issues, helping to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.

Effective line management and support for staff training and development, especially on the NHS Standard Contract, will also aid the team in delivering its function to the ICB.

About us

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is the health statutory body for the Derby City and Derbyshire population. ICSs are partnerships of health and care organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined-up services and to improve the health of people who live and work in their area. Serving a total population of 1,053,000 with a budget of over £1.6 billion the ICB has a staff base of approximately 500 people.

At DDICB we are passionate about making diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We have staff engagement forums, a diversity and inclusion network run by and for our people and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. Together, we are building an inclusive culture, where difference is celebrated and people feel able to bring their whole self to work.

We are a disability confident employer and offer a range of family friendly, flexible working arrangements and inclusive employment policies, to support our people in the workplace.

Date posted

24 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£50,952 to £57,349 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

996-ICB-4724-24

Job locations

The Council House

First Floor Corporation Street

Derby

DE1 2FS


Job description

Job responsibilities

The information below sets out some of the key elements that the post holder will be expected to fulfil, but greater detail can be found in the attached full Job Description and Person Specification.

JOB SUMMARY AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support work designed to improve the health of the Derby and Derbyshire population through the effective commissioning and equitable delivery of health care by leading and managing the development and delivery of designated contracts so that the JUCD operational plan is effectively negotiated into NHS and non-NHS provider contracts ensuring the effective delivery of the JUCD NHS five year and operational plans.
  • Lead on and manage a set of contracts for a defined set of providers or portfolio either directly with providers or through the co-ordinating commissioner, analysing performance, querying variances from plans or targets, managing performance issues and pursuing actions to recover performance, authorising payment of invoices.
  • Assess contract performance to track progress against contractual obligations, working with colleagues to identify the reasons for variance and basis for amendments of existing contracts where required by analysing and interpreting complex data such as contract activity, demand and capacity data, finance, or performance data.
  • Ensure the ICB discharges its responsibilities under the relevant ICB agreement/constitution for contracts within the post holders portfolio to which the ICB is party to a Collaborative Commissioning agreement.
  • Manage day-to-day contracting queries and provide expert advice relating to any of the contracts within the portfolio.
  • Contribute to service reviews, service specification development and pathway redesign to help ensure that the best value for money and highest quality health services are secured within the available resources and specifications comply with contract terms and conditions.
  • Manage the in-year contract management process for allocated contracts including the work programme for contract technical and performance meetings and the annual contract review and negotiation process, delivering key components of the contract review and negotiation work plan.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

  • Operate effectively in a flexible and demanding environment and proactively engage with NHS staff, consultants and contractors working on a variety of topics.
  • Work effectively with a variety of external consultancies working on other projects and programmes within other NHS directorates as required.
  • Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, presenting information, to a wide range of stakeholders in a formal setting.
  • Have the ability to deal with resulting potentially aggressive/antagonistic situations.
  • Committed to working and engaging constructively with internal and external stakeholders on a range of business sensitive issues.
  • Nurture key relationships and maintain networks internally and externally, including national networks.
  • Link withmanagers and members of other functions, to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Oversee team members to deliver the requirements listed above, engaging and liaising with key stakeholders, in particular:

supporting the delivery of day-to-day activities and projects;

managing the team and driving delivery of a range of business initiatives and projects.

supporting the identification and sharing of best practice in employee engagement.

operating in a highly political and sensitive environment.

supporting the portfolio of initiatives in demonstrating value for money for the current spend through tracking, managing and delivering agreed benefits.

  • Lead the team in the delivery of project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately make decisions in the best interest of the project.
  • Pro-actively manage stakeholders, responding to and resolving conflict between different stakeholders when this arises through facilitation or other appropriate mechanisms.
  • Responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of projects on time, to quality standards and in a cost-effective manner. Maintain the project initiation document and associated plans with regular team meetings to monitor progress and resources.
  • Responsible for the planning and organisation of numerous events/meetings. Ensuring communication tools are used to their maximum value for circulating the minutes, agenda and presentations in a timely manner.
  • Responsible for making recommendations, providing advice and able to prepare strategic reports/briefings for the Head of Department, Steering/ Reference Groups and others as required.
  • Accountability to deliver a break-even position on all delegated areas of budget responsibility and also help ensure the ICB manages within its overall financial envelope. Alongside this, mandatory training on financial stewardship must be completed annually.
  • Directly manage the team and responsible for day to day work assigned to the team.
  • Responsible for the recruitment of team staff, chair of recruitment panels and acting as the recruiting officer.
  • Responsible for undertaking appraisal and personal development including progressing any disciplinary or capability issues.
  • Support, motivate and develop staff within the team to ensure that they are able to deliver the new responsibilities of the NHS strategy.
  • Draft reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the Head of Department.
  • Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information and lead appropriate analysis to develop robust business cases and contribute to project products.
  • Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and interpretation to policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLAs) which may impact service.
  • Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The information below sets out some of the key elements that the post holder will be expected to fulfil, but greater detail can be found in the attached full Job Description and Person Specification.

JOB SUMMARY AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support work designed to improve the health of the Derby and Derbyshire population through the effective commissioning and equitable delivery of health care by leading and managing the development and delivery of designated contracts so that the JUCD operational plan is effectively negotiated into NHS and non-NHS provider contracts ensuring the effective delivery of the JUCD NHS five year and operational plans.
  • Lead on and manage a set of contracts for a defined set of providers or portfolio either directly with providers or through the co-ordinating commissioner, analysing performance, querying variances from plans or targets, managing performance issues and pursuing actions to recover performance, authorising payment of invoices.
  • Assess contract performance to track progress against contractual obligations, working with colleagues to identify the reasons for variance and basis for amendments of existing contracts where required by analysing and interpreting complex data such as contract activity, demand and capacity data, finance, or performance data.
  • Ensure the ICB discharges its responsibilities under the relevant ICB agreement/constitution for contracts within the post holders portfolio to which the ICB is party to a Collaborative Commissioning agreement.
  • Manage day-to-day contracting queries and provide expert advice relating to any of the contracts within the portfolio.
  • Contribute to service reviews, service specification development and pathway redesign to help ensure that the best value for money and highest quality health services are secured within the available resources and specifications comply with contract terms and conditions.
  • Manage the in-year contract management process for allocated contracts including the work programme for contract technical and performance meetings and the annual contract review and negotiation process, delivering key components of the contract review and negotiation work plan.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

  • Operate effectively in a flexible and demanding environment and proactively engage with NHS staff, consultants and contractors working on a variety of topics.
  • Work effectively with a variety of external consultancies working on other projects and programmes within other NHS directorates as required.
  • Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, presenting information, to a wide range of stakeholders in a formal setting.
  • Have the ability to deal with resulting potentially aggressive/antagonistic situations.
  • Committed to working and engaging constructively with internal and external stakeholders on a range of business sensitive issues.
  • Nurture key relationships and maintain networks internally and externally, including national networks.
  • Link withmanagers and members of other functions, to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Oversee team members to deliver the requirements listed above, engaging and liaising with key stakeholders, in particular:

supporting the delivery of day-to-day activities and projects;

managing the team and driving delivery of a range of business initiatives and projects.

supporting the identification and sharing of best practice in employee engagement.

operating in a highly political and sensitive environment.

supporting the portfolio of initiatives in demonstrating value for money for the current spend through tracking, managing and delivering agreed benefits.

  • Lead the team in the delivery of project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately make decisions in the best interest of the project.
  • Pro-actively manage stakeholders, responding to and resolving conflict between different stakeholders when this arises through facilitation or other appropriate mechanisms.
  • Responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of projects on time, to quality standards and in a cost-effective manner. Maintain the project initiation document and associated plans with regular team meetings to monitor progress and resources.
  • Responsible for the planning and organisation of numerous events/meetings. Ensuring communication tools are used to their maximum value for circulating the minutes, agenda and presentations in a timely manner.
  • Responsible for making recommendations, providing advice and able to prepare strategic reports/briefings for the Head of Department, Steering/ Reference Groups and others as required.
  • Accountability to deliver a break-even position on all delegated areas of budget responsibility and also help ensure the ICB manages within its overall financial envelope. Alongside this, mandatory training on financial stewardship must be completed annually.
  • Directly manage the team and responsible for day to day work assigned to the team.
  • Responsible for the recruitment of team staff, chair of recruitment panels and acting as the recruiting officer.
  • Responsible for undertaking appraisal and personal development including progressing any disciplinary or capability issues.
  • Support, motivate and develop staff within the team to ensure that they are able to deliver the new responsibilities of the NHS strategy.
  • Draft reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the Head of Department.
  • Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information and lead appropriate analysis to develop robust business cases and contribute to project products.
  • Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and interpretation to policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLAs) which may impact service.
  • Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Essential

  • Educated to masters level 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;
  • Experience of successful planning and negotiation of large health care contracts as a core team member or team leader;

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;

Management Skills

Essential

  • Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.

Analytical

Essential

  • Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate the behaviours that underpin the ICBs core value of 'One Team'
Person Specification

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Essential

  • Educated to masters level 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;
  • Experience of successful planning and negotiation of large health care contracts as a core team member or team leader;

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;

Management Skills

Essential

  • Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.

Analytical

Essential

  • Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate the behaviours that underpin the ICBs core value of 'One Team'

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board

Address

The Council House

First Floor Corporation Street

Derby

DE1 2FS


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board

Address

The Council House

First Floor Corporation Street

Derby

DE1 2FS


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Contracts

Andrew Ebbage

andrew.ebbage@nhs.net

Date posted

24 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£50,952 to £57,349 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

996-ICB-4724-24

Job locations

The Council House

First Floor Corporation Street

Derby

DE1 2FS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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