About this role
Job summary
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible.
Patient Care Locally (PCL) is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) working in partnership with the NHS to improve access to high-quality, patient-centred care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a Head of Contracts to lead our contracts function and play a key role in supporting our future development.
Working as part of the Senior Management Team, you will lead contract negotiations, oversee complex contractual arrangements, strengthen relationships with NHS commissioners and providers, and ensure effective contract governance and performance management across the wider PCL group. You will also lead and develop the Contracts Team, identify commercial opportunities, manage contractual risks and work closely with colleagues across Finance, Quality and Operations.
What we offer
Hybrid working
- A salary of £55,099 per annum
- A 12-month fixed-term contract
- A supportive, values-led working environment
- Opportunities to contribute to the development and growth of local healthcare services
If you have substantial experience in complex contract management, strong negotiation skills and the confidence to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
You will lead the management of a complex portfolio of healthcare contracts across the wider PCL group, working closely with NHS commissioners, providers and internal teams to ensure contracts are negotiated effectively, financially sustainable and deliver the required quality and performance standards.
Key duties include leading contract negotiations and reviews, overseeing contractual performance and KPIs, managing risks and contract variations, and building strong relationships with commissioners and subcontracted providers. You will work collaboratively with Finance, Quality, Business Intelligence and Operational teams to monitor performance, support service development and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
You will also lead and support the Contracts Team, provide expert advice on contractual matters and procurement strategies, coordinate legal support where required, and prepare accurate reports for senior management and Board-level discussions. Regular engagement with external stakeholders, including face-to-face meetings and site visits, will be an important part of the role.
About us
Patient Care Locally CIC (PCL) is a community interest company delivering locally based healthcare services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, working in partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers. As a CIC, our focus is on making a positive difference to patients and local communities.
We are a collaborative, patient-focused organisation that values our people, encourages new ideas and is committed to delivering high-quality care. Our teams work closely across services and with external partners, creating opportunities to build relationships, share knowledge and make improvements that benefit patients.
We believe in treating people with respect, trusting our colleagues and valuing everyone's contribution. We encourage our staff to take ownership of their work, use their initiative and contribute to the continued development of our services.
Working at PCL offers the opportunity to be part of an organisation that combines the purpose of community healthcare with the flexibility to develop and deliver new services. We offer a hybrid working environment, opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a tangible difference to healthcare access across our local communities.
If you want to use your skills and experience to deliver meaningful projects that improve patient care, PCL offers an opportunity to make a real contribution.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Person Specification
We are looking for an experienced contracts professional with strong technical knowledge, excellent negotiation skills and the ability to lead a team and build effective relationships with senior stakeholders.
Essential qualifications and experience
- Educated to Master's level or equivalent relevant experience, with a postgraduate qualification or significant experience in contracting.
- Extensive experience in technical contract management, including drafting, negotiating, interpreting and managing complex contracts.
- Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, building relationships across organisations and communicating complex contractual matters effectively.
- Experience preparing contracts, business papers and reports for senior management.
- Experience working across multiple organisations or business entities, including NHS, independent-sector or other commercial environments.
- Leadership and line management experience.
Essential skills and abilities
- Strong organisational, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently, set priorities and deliver objectives to deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to manage sensitive or contentious discussions and secure agreement through effective negotiation.
- Ability to review contractual and legal documentation and advise senior managers on potential concerns.
- Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Understanding of financial information and its relationship to contractual arrangements and negotiations.
Desirable criteria
- Senior-level NHS experience, ideally covering both primary and secondary care contracting or commissioning.
- Experience in procurement, tendering and project management.
- A relevant contract management qualification, CIPS qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Good organisational and negotiation skills
- Ability to work unsupervised, self-directed and to set & attain goals.
- Build collaborative relationships and solve issues by engaging the right people at the right time
- Be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing complex, sensitive and / or contentious information and secure the agreement of cooperation of individuals or groups through well developed and persuasive negotiating skills
- Expert user of MS Office applications, including word, excel, PowerPoint
- Ability and understanding to review contract and legal documentation, advising senior managers about areas of concern as required
- The ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks or projects to deadline
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to a Masters level or equivalent relevant experience, with a post graduate qualification or significant experience in contracting.
Desirable
- Experience of procurement
- Diploma in Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
- Contract Management qualification e.g Commercial & Contract Management Practitioner Certification/CIPFA Diploma or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience in stakeholder management and engagement within and across organisations
- Extensive experience in technical contract management, including drafting, negotiating, interpreting and managing complex contracts.
- Experience drafting contracts, business papers and reports for senior management.
- Experience building and maintaining stakeholder relationships, communicating complex contractual matters effectively and leading face-to-face discussions with internal teams and external providers.
- Experience working across multiple organisations or business entities, including NHS, independent-sector or other commercial environments.
- Experience of working in a leadership position and line management experience
Desirable
- Experience of working in the NHS at a senior level
- Experience of both secondary care and primary care contracting/commissioning
Other Requirements
Essential
- Understanding of basic financial information and how this ties into the contractual relationships/negotiations for the organisation
Desirable
- Experience of project management
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
Patient Care Locally CIC
Address
Office 2 and 3
Goliath Road
Coalville
LE67 3FT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://pclcic.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)