Contracts Manager

You will be responsible for comprehensive contract management, maintaining technical knowledge and in year contract management.

To promote excellent working relationships with all commissioners which includes ICBs, Lead Provider Collaboratives and Local Authorities allowing early dialogue on changing commissioning intentions on either service models and/or potential providers. The post-holder will need to work to tight and conflicting deadlines and have a high level of resilience.

To carry out investigation and analysis which will support option appraisal and decision making with a view to developing the Trust's business whilst managing existing contracts.

To engage with clinical and managerial teams to translate the commissioning aspects of new models of care for patients so services are improved, income protected, and debt reduced.To ensure the Contract Team provides a highly effective and responsive contracts management service to the Trust, ensuring Trust compliance with contractual requirements, identifying and mitigating contractual risks (to minimise Trust's exposure), whilst delivering its operations in line with Trust's values and objectives.

To lead and manage PSR-compliant provider selection and contract award processes, ensuring statutory compliance, robust governance, transparent decision-making, effective stakeholder engagement, and comprehensive audit trails in line with NHS regulations and organisational policies.

Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £15 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.

We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Essential: - Education to degree level or equivalent.; - Management (e.g. MBA) or professional qualification at postgraduate level or equivalent experience; - Evidence of continual professional development

Desirable: - Evidence of relevant professional training and / or qualification (e.g. PRINCE2)

Essential: - Excellent technical knowledge of the contracting arrangements between Foundation Trust and commissioners and the issues that can trigger risk for both parties; - Experience in a management role in the NHS, including managing people and budgets; - Clear understanding of strategic direction of CWP; - Proven experience in establishing and maintaining relationships with key internal and external individuals, developing alliances and partnerships; - Advanced written and verbal presentation, communication skills, demonstrating excellent attention to detail; - Understanding of NHS policy, key targets, and the NHS financial and commissioning processes; - A sound knowledge of and experience of project management skills in the development of new services; - Proven ability to work in a challenging performance management environment, delivering on targets within agreed timescales

Desirable: - Demonstrate an understanding of the impact on service provision of DH strategy and Foundation Trust Status; - Experience of Mental Health, Learning Disabilities or Community Physical health services

Essential: - In-depth knowledge and experience of public sector contract management; - Working knowledge of NHS environment; - Good understanding of commerciality in the NHS; - Experience in leading others to interpret national policies and guidance (DoH, NHSI etc.) and develop internal procedures accordingly; - Project management skills (including a track record of delivering highly complex projects); - Responding to bids and tenders; - Well-developed negotiating and influencing skills; - Experience of developing business plans / cases which support corporate and clinical service objectives; - Adaptable and flexible with the ability to act autonomously and manage own and teams' work priorities; - Keeping projects on track in a busy and demanding work environment; - Experience of dealing with conflict

Desirable: - In-depth knowledge and experience of contractual processes within an NHS environment; - Experience of working in a complex busy and demanding environment / workplace; - Knowledge and experience in the use of project management software

Essential: - Demonstrate alignment with Trust Values (6 C's: Commitment, Communication, Care, Courage, Compassion, Competency)