Senior Commissioning and Contracts Manager

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Commissioning & Contracts Manager to join the South London Partnership (SLP) Complex Care Programme.

This is a senior role with responsibility for supporting the effective commissioning and contract management of complex care services across South London. Working closely with the Head of Commissioning & Contracts, Programme Director and clinical, operational, finance and quality colleagues, you will help ensure services are high quality, responsive and deliver improved outcomes for people with complex mental health needs.

You will work across organisational and borough boundaries, combining strategic commissioning with robust contract management and provider oversight. You will have the opportunity to influence service development, strengthen commissioning arrangements and support the transformation of complex care pathways.

We are looking for an experienced, collaborative leader with strong commissioning and contracting expertise, sound judgement and the ability to build effective relationships across a complex health and care system.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will provide senior commissioning and contracting expertise across the SLP Provider collaboratives and Complex Care Programme, supporting the full commissioning and contract management lifecycle.

You will lead complex contracting activity, including contract development, negotiation, variations and renewals, ensuring robust governance and oversight. Working with providers and partners, you will monitor quality, performance, activity, outcomes and value for money, identifying risks and underperformance and ensuring appropriate action and escalation.

You will contribute to service redesign, procurement and mobilisation, and lead the development of service specifications, KPIs and performance arrangements. You will build effective relationships with NHS Trusts, ICBs, local authorities and independent and voluntary-sector providers, providing advice and assurance to senior governance forums.

You will also provide leadership and support to the Commissioning & Contracts team, helping to strengthen consistent and effective commissioning and contract management across the programme.

The role is full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexibility in how and where you work, balanced with the needs of the service. As the role works across the South London Partnership, there will be an expectation to attend meetings and work on-site when required, alongside opportunities for remote working.

About us

The South London Mental Health and Community Partnership (SLP) brings together leading NHS organisations to improve mental health services for over three million people across South London. We are a collaborative, forward-thinking team committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

Our Commissioning & Contracts team works across multiple organisations, creating a dynamic and supportive environment where teamwork, learning and development are encouraged. You will be joining a team that values professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on making a positive difference to people's lives.

The main base for this role is the South London Partnership (SLP) Hub, currently located at Lewisham Town Hall. This location offers good transport links and access to local amenities. There may be opportunities for hybrid working in line with service needs.

We offer a welcoming and inclusive working culture where staff are supported to grow and develop, and where your contribution will have a real impact on services and outcomes.

Job responsibilities

The Senior Commissioning & Contracts Manager will:

• Provide senior commissioning and contract management leadership across SLP Provider Collaboratives and Complex Care.
• Lead the development, negotiation, implementation, variation and management of complex contractual arrangements.
• Ensure contracts, service specifications, quality requirements and KPIs reflect commissioning priorities and agreed outcomes.
• Lead provider performance management, using quality, safety, activity, finance and outcomes data to provide assurance.
• Identify contractual and performance risks, ensuring effective escalation, improvement and remedial action.
• Lead and support commissioning, procurement, service redesign and mobilisation of new services and pathways.
• Develop commissioning strategies and support implementation of new models of care.
• Work collaboratively with NHS Trusts, ICBs, local authorities, providers and system partners.
• Provide reports, advice and assurance to senior programme and governance forums.
• Promote value for money, quality, equality, patient safety and improved service-user outcomes.
• Provide leadership and development to the Commissioning & Contracts team.
• Deputise for the Head of Commissioning & Contracts as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience in commissioning, contracting, healthcare management or a related field.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to senior commissioning and contract management.

Experience

Essential

• oSubstantial experience of commissioning and/or contract management within the NHS, public sector or a comparably complex health and care environment.
• oExperience of developing, negotiating, implementing, varying and managing complex contracts.
• oExperience of provider performance management using quality, safety, activity, finance and outcomes information.
• oExperience of identifying and managing contractual or performance risks, including escalation and improvement action.
• oExperience of service redesign, procurement and/or mobilisation of services or pathways.
• oExperience of working collaboratively across organisational boundaries with senior stakeholders.

Knowledge/skills

Essential

• Strong knowledge of the commissioning and contract management lifecycle and NHS contractual arrangements.
• Strong knowledge of the NHS Contracts.
• Highly developed analytical skills with the ability to interpret quality, safety, activity, finance and outcomes information and translate it into action.