Job summary
The NHS Business Services Authority plays a key role in delivering national services to the wider healthcare system, responsible for £billions of public money. This role involves managing relationships with suppliers, sourcing and negotiating new contracts, and providing expert commercial advice across our business.
It is an opportunity to move to a hands on role, working each day for an organisation you can be proud of, while getting exposure to exciting new areas like cutting edge data analysis tech/AI and agile/digital ways of working. You will often be involved in the creation of new services and have the opportunity to be involved in transforming existing services.
If you are currently working in an environment delivering local services or non-complex transactional activities this opportunity could be the change you need.
If you have excellent commercial acumen, technical and delivery experience of Commercial and Procurement activity, developing, implementing and leading on strategic procurement solutions and are interested in a role that can make a difference, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) have the opportunity for you.
What do we offer?
- 27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidays
- Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
- Hybrid working model (we are currently working largely remotely)
- Excellent pension
- NHS Car lease scheme
Main duties of the job
We have two Commercial roles within the Commercial Services Team:
Commercial Support re Data/Insight team: The Data/Insight team provide business intelligence in respect of key national health data that can make a real difference to the health of the nation, along with data science/advanced analytics, requiring the commercial team to explore issues raised by the use of cutting edge technology and emerging issues like the use of 'open source' business intelligence tools and the increase focus on 'open data'(i.e. openly accessible data for public users to perform their own analysis). This role doesn't require experience of these issues, just an enthusiasm to learn more.
Commercial Support re Digital/Dental team:
A role at the same level, supporting our Digital and Dental teams, is expected to be advertised shortly - please look out for this advert too - you are welcome to apply for both roles, and may use the same supporting information for each, if you wish to do so.
You will be able to demonstrate these essential skills and knowledge:
- Experienced in Commercial/Procurement
- Analytical skills/attention to detail
- Knowledge of relevant legislation/statutory requirements re public sector procurement
- Excellent communication/business partnering skills
- Ability to work well within a team working to deliver objectives on time
- Problem-solving skills
About us
At the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) we deliver a range of essential national services to NHS organisations and contractors, patients and the public.
You may already be using some of our services. Do you have a prescription pre-payment certificate? Perhaps you found this vacancy through NHS Jobs? We're behind these, and much more.
Being one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, our values are to be Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We CARE about what we do and support each other in achieving our objectives.
Our people are the heart of our organisation. We strive to ensure they feel trusted, valued and empowered. We're passionate about nurturing and developing people. When you join us, we want you to grow, and we offer many opportunities for you to do that.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. With wellbeing and inclusion central to our ethos, our BAME, Disability and Neurodiversity, LGBTQ+, Armed Forces and Women's networks help our colleagues to be their authentic selves at work.
At the NHSBSA we value and respect the diversity of our colleagues and are committed to being a flexible employer. We are proud to offer flexible working opportunities. Whether you're interested in hybrid working, working from home, flexible hours or job sharing, apply today and we can discuss available options with you at the interview stage.
We are the NHS delivering for the NHS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you are accountable for:1. To support the Senior Commercial Manager to ensure that appropriate contracts are put in place that meet customer / client needs.
2. To assist with high profile and complex negotiations for major sourcing activities.
3. Ensure the team selects the most effective sourcing route for the service / product.
4. Delivering efficiencies through effective procurement and contract management.
5. To work with customers and clients (using market knowledge and commercial rigour) to develop their requirements into clearly defined specifications.
6. Managing the contract change control process involving liaison with the Contractor, the Business and relevant Senior Commercial Manager as required for approval purposes.
7. Drafting Statements of Work (SoWs), ensuring close alignment to business/project requirements and including deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, pricing, dependencies and assumptions.
8. Executing and Managing Statements of Work, ensuring correct governance procedures are followed and managing SoWs with rigour and diligence.
9. To support the business in complying with the NHSBSA standing financial instructions and other controls and governance requirements, and that all necessary approvals are in place.
10. Interfacing with senior colleagues and senior representatives from suppliers ensuring the NHSBSAs business objectives are met.
11. Exercises complex decision making, detailed option analysis, recommending solutions using persuasion and influencing skills on strategic sourcing initiatives as required.
12. Monitoring performance against service levels, recurring contract obligations and KPIs and initiating discussions with the Business and Finance on poor performance. The post holder takes early action to tackle sub-standard Contractor performance, gaining commitment of the Contractor to resolve problems within agreed timescales and provides detailed reports as required to the Senior Commercial Manager and the relevant Board on contract performance matters.
13. Providing supplier management capability to support Commercial Services Team colleagues and the Business
14. The assessment of risks to the effective delivery of the contracted services including implementation of appropriate strategies and actions to manage the risks and ensure continuity.
15. Develops and applies contract management policies ensuring that the contractor delivers continuous improvement of the delivery, quality, cost effectiveness and responsiveness of the contracted services, developing the relationship beyond merely achieving contractual compliance. Working with the Contractor and the Business to develop mutually advantageous annual continuous improvement plans
16. Managing all supplier related incidents and complaints (that impact on performance of the contract) from the Business and escalates issues where necessary. Ensures that problems are dealt with quickly and that corrective action is initiated in a timely manner.
17. Defining, controlling and managing costs and budgets for the managed contracted service. Manages the authorisation process for approving invoices including verification of amounts invoiced by the Contractor. Is an authorised signatory for expenditure.
18. Working with the Business and Supplier to review service levels and KPIs and implement changes where agreed, to ensure value for money.
19. Chairing regular review meetings with the Contractor for assessing past performance and setting future targets. This involves maintenance of accurate records of all meetings
20. Establishing and maintaining effective communication to both technical and non-technical audiences, about difficult and/or complex matters.
21. Being committed to personal development and actively seeking to enhance the performance of self and others by identifying opportunities to develop existing or acquire new, skills and competencies.
22. Maintaining an awareness of developments and risks and issues in NHSBSAs directorates.
23. Analysing, synthesising and presenting knowledge and information about multi-stranded or complex subjects and concepts to influence key decisions.
24. Where required, be responsibility for the effective line management of staff including appraisal, absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes, performance monitoring and management and Personal Development Plan creation and execution.
25. Has a thorough knowledge of, and always adheres to, the Public Procurement Regulations and the NHSBSAs Standing Financial Instructions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
In this role, you are accountable for:1. To support the Senior Commercial Manager to ensure that appropriate contracts are put in place that meet customer / client needs.
2. To assist with high profile and complex negotiations for major sourcing activities.
3. Ensure the team selects the most effective sourcing route for the service / product.
4. Delivering efficiencies through effective procurement and contract management.
5. To work with customers and clients (using market knowledge and commercial rigour) to develop their requirements into clearly defined specifications.
6. Managing the contract change control process involving liaison with the Contractor, the Business and relevant Senior Commercial Manager as required for approval purposes.
7. Drafting Statements of Work (SoWs), ensuring close alignment to business/project requirements and including deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, pricing, dependencies and assumptions.
8. Executing and Managing Statements of Work, ensuring correct governance procedures are followed and managing SoWs with rigour and diligence.
9. To support the business in complying with the NHSBSA standing financial instructions and other controls and governance requirements, and that all necessary approvals are in place.
10. Interfacing with senior colleagues and senior representatives from suppliers ensuring the NHSBSAs business objectives are met.
11. Exercises complex decision making, detailed option analysis, recommending solutions using persuasion and influencing skills on strategic sourcing initiatives as required.
12. Monitoring performance against service levels, recurring contract obligations and KPIs and initiating discussions with the Business and Finance on poor performance. The post holder takes early action to tackle sub-standard Contractor performance, gaining commitment of the Contractor to resolve problems within agreed timescales and provides detailed reports as required to the Senior Commercial Manager and the relevant Board on contract performance matters.
13. Providing supplier management capability to support Commercial Services Team colleagues and the Business
14. The assessment of risks to the effective delivery of the contracted services including implementation of appropriate strategies and actions to manage the risks and ensure continuity.
15. Develops and applies contract management policies ensuring that the contractor delivers continuous improvement of the delivery, quality, cost effectiveness and responsiveness of the contracted services, developing the relationship beyond merely achieving contractual compliance. Working with the Contractor and the Business to develop mutually advantageous annual continuous improvement plans
16. Managing all supplier related incidents and complaints (that impact on performance of the contract) from the Business and escalates issues where necessary. Ensures that problems are dealt with quickly and that corrective action is initiated in a timely manner.
17. Defining, controlling and managing costs and budgets for the managed contracted service. Manages the authorisation process for approving invoices including verification of amounts invoiced by the Contractor. Is an authorised signatory for expenditure.
18. Working with the Business and Supplier to review service levels and KPIs and implement changes where agreed, to ensure value for money.
19. Chairing regular review meetings with the Contractor for assessing past performance and setting future targets. This involves maintenance of accurate records of all meetings
20. Establishing and maintaining effective communication to both technical and non-technical audiences, about difficult and/or complex matters.
21. Being committed to personal development and actively seeking to enhance the performance of self and others by identifying opportunities to develop existing or acquire new, skills and competencies.
22. Maintaining an awareness of developments and risks and issues in NHSBSAs directorates.
23. Analysing, synthesising and presenting knowledge and information about multi-stranded or complex subjects and concepts to influence key decisions.
24. Where required, be responsibility for the effective line management of staff including appraisal, absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes, performance monitoring and management and Personal Development Plan creation and execution.
25. Has a thorough knowledge of, and always adheres to, the Public Procurement Regulations and the NHSBSAs Standing Financial Instructions.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Creative and dynamic, strong on lateral thinking, bringing fresh ideas and proposing new but risk evaluated solutions.
- Understanding of process and procedures in commissioning and managing contracts.
- Successful implementation of good practice in managing suppliers, resources and performance improvement.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain fundamental concepts including areas with highly complex subject matter.
- Proactive and personally motivated with the ability to motivate others.
- Accurate with attention to detail.
- Flexible, adaptable and able to manage conflicting priorities.
- Open to different ways of working.
- Persuasive and negotiation skills are a requirement.
- Able to effectively manage relationships with others within the Authority and third-party organisations.
- Public Contract Regulations and NHS/Government policies.
- Able to travel, which may involve some overnight stays.
Desirable
- Knowledge of agile methodology.
- Passionate and committed to making a positive difference to the organisation.
- Knowledge of contracts including government frameworks.
- Proven experience in IT strategic sourcing management, using tools and techniques that deliver benefits that include financial savings.
Experience
Essential
- Responsibility for running procurement processes including producing tender documentation.
- Managing contractors, professional advisers and staff resources to achieve corporate objectives.
- Significant experience of contract management (equivalent experience may be considered).
- Experience of working at a senior management level including directors, the CEO and the main Board.
- Experience of contract negotiation on complex, high value contracts exceeding £1m.
- Experience of managing stakeholder/supplier relationships at all levels including director level.
Desirable
- Awareness of full range of NHSBSA Business services.
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Post-graduate level in relevant discipline.
- Qualification with International Association for Contract Management (IACCM).
- Membership of professional body.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Creative and dynamic, strong on lateral thinking, bringing fresh ideas and proposing new but risk evaluated solutions.
- Understanding of process and procedures in commissioning and managing contracts.
- Successful implementation of good practice in managing suppliers, resources and performance improvement.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain fundamental concepts including areas with highly complex subject matter.
- Proactive and personally motivated with the ability to motivate others.
- Accurate with attention to detail.
- Flexible, adaptable and able to manage conflicting priorities.
- Open to different ways of working.
- Persuasive and negotiation skills are a requirement.
- Able to effectively manage relationships with others within the Authority and third-party organisations.
- Public Contract Regulations and NHS/Government policies.
- Able to travel, which may involve some overnight stays.
Desirable
- Knowledge of agile methodology.
- Passionate and committed to making a positive difference to the organisation.
- Knowledge of contracts including government frameworks.
- Proven experience in IT strategic sourcing management, using tools and techniques that deliver benefits that include financial savings.
Experience
Essential
- Responsibility for running procurement processes including producing tender documentation.
- Managing contractors, professional advisers and staff resources to achieve corporate objectives.
- Significant experience of contract management (equivalent experience may be considered).
- Experience of working at a senior management level including directors, the CEO and the main Board.
- Experience of contract negotiation on complex, high value contracts exceeding £1m.
- Experience of managing stakeholder/supplier relationships at all levels including director level.
Desirable
- Awareness of full range of NHSBSA Business services.
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- Post-graduate level in relevant discipline.
- Qualification with International Association for Contract Management (IACCM).
- Membership of professional body.
Additional information
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).
