Contract Manager, CCP (SWL Phase 3a)

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the South London Partnership (SLP) Commissioning & Contracts Team as a Contracts Manager. This role is ideal for an experienced NHS commissioning or contract management professional who enjoys working across organisational boundaries to improve services and patient outcomes.

You will be responsible for managing a portfolio of complex NHS contracts, developing strong relationships with commissioners, providers and operational teams, and ensuring contractual, financial and quality requirements are achieved. Working across specialised mental health services, you will play a key role in supporting service transformation, performance management and contract delivery while ensuring compliance with NHS Standard Contract requirements and national policy.

We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We have career pathways available, where you will be able to develop your skills and build on your experience to progress into other roles across different specialties. For this role, we offer career pathways to Commissioning & Contracts. In addition, we offer ongoing training and development in Commissioning & Contracts.

Main duties of the job

As Contracts Manager, you will lead the day-to-day management of a portfolio of commissioning and provider contracts across the South London Partnership.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the full contract lifecycle, including development, mobilisation, variations and annual negotiations.
• Leading contract monitoring meetings and working with providers and commissioners to improve performance.
• Monitoring quality, activity, finance and KPIs, ensuring contractual obligations are met.
• Building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Providing contractual advice and identifying financial, contractual and operational risks.
• Supporting procurement, commissioning, service redesign and mobilisation projects.
• Preparing reports and briefings for senior managers and governance groups.
• Maintaining accurate contract records and supporting continuous improvement.

You will need strong analytical, negotiation, communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced NHS environment.

About us

The South London Partnership (SLP) Commissioning & Contracts Team is responsible for commissioning, contract management and assurance across the Provider Collaborative Programme and the Complex Care Programme, overseeing some of the most specialised mental health services in the NHS. Working closely with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, Provider Collaboratives, NHS Trusts and independent providers, we help ensure services are safe, effective, high quality and deliver the best possible outcomes for patients.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing, supportive team where no two days are the same. We operate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing complex contracts, supporting service transformation and responding to evolving NHS priorities. The role offers plenty of challenge, requiring strong relationship management, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities.

We are proud of our strong team spirit and collaborative culture. We support one another, share knowledge and celebrate success, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to develop professionally and contribute new ideas.

The role is based at Lewisham Town Hall, with excellent transport links and opportunities for flexible and hybrid working where service needs allow.

Job responsibilities

The Contracts Manager will be responsible for leading the operational management of a portfolio of NHS commissioning and provider contracts, ensuring services are delivered in accordance with contractual requirements, agreed quality standards and financial plans.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing NHS Standard Contracts and contract variations.
• Leading contract performance, quality and finance review meetings.
• Monitoring activity, KPIs, quality indicators and contractual compliance.
• Supporting contract negotiations and annual contract planning.
• Preparing reports for senior management, commissioners and governance groups.
• Working closely with operational, finance, quality and clinical teams to resolve contractual issues.
• Supporting procurement, mobilisation and implementation of new services.
• Developing and maintaining contract registers and governance documentation.
• Identifying, escalating and mitigating contractual and operational risks.
• Building effective relationships with commissioners, providers and partner organisations.
• Supporting service transformation, continuous improvement and business planning initiatives.
• Ensuring compliance with NHS policies, legislation, information governance and contractual requirements.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent organisational, analytical and interpersonal skills, together with experience of NHS commissioning, contract management, performance reporting and stakeholder engagement. They will be able to manage competing priorities, negotiate effectively and work confidently across organisational boundaries to deliver high-quality outcomes for patients and commissioners.

This version is written in a modern NHS Jobs/TRAC style and is designed to attract experienced Band 7 commissioning and contracts professionals while remaining consistent with the underlying job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level qualification ideally in a numerate discipline or knowledge gained by post-qualification experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

Essential

• Experience of performance management frameworks and/or contract management, to include negotiation, schedule development, performance and contract meeting management, business planning, representing your organisation and dealing with conflict
• Project and programme management
• Experience of communication with External Stakeholders
• Presentation and report writing
• Using existing templates and modifying templates to suit different contractual arrangements.

Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Ability to prioritise conflicting requirements to meet Trust objectives
• Ability to deliver to strict deadlines
• Knowledge of NHS Standard Contracts and contractual requirements
• Awareness of contract management across a range of contract types.