University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Commercial Director

The closing date is 10 September 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a Commercial Director to join our newly formed provider collaborative of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group (UHN).

In this exciting new collaborative partnership, the post holder will provide leadership, vision and direction to the single Procurement function for the UHL/UHN Group delivering excellent levels of customer service and maximising commercial opportunities both within the organisation and wider system. This includes the implementation of integrated systems and processes and development and delivery of operational objectives to achieve the Trust's strategic aims

Main duties of the job

The Commercial Director reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and will be accountable for providing commercial leadership to the Trust, providing high-level commercial advice, raising awareness of and maximising commercial opportunities that support delivery of strategic and tactical business objectives.

Contribute to the establishment of the Trust-wide standards to maintain, monitor and improve the quality of total care and the efficient use of resources to promote patient satisfaction, experience and outcomes

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

  • high-quality care for all,
  • being a great place to work,
  • partnerships for impact, and
  • research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud,
  • we are inclusive, and
  • we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Current vacancies - University Hospitals of Leicester https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk/careers/current-vacancies/ Trust

Details

Date posted

29 August 2025

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience dependent upon experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

358-7440073-VSM

Job locations

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester

LE1 5WW


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Director of the Trust, the role is critical in development of corporate management and strategic planning.

All of the aspects of the role are detailed in the attached job description and recruitment pack.

The below summaries the key elements to the role

The role contributes to the establishment of the Trust-wide standards to maintain, monitor and improve the quality of total care and the efficient use of resources to promote patient satisfaction, experience and outcomes

The role holder will works in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer to agree operational and personal objectives and performance targets which focus on the delivery of the corporate strategy and business plans of the Trust

The role will be responsible for developing and delivering a Group-wide Procurement strategy and ensure the procurement function is fit for purpose, provides the appropriate balance between delivery and development, is focussed on outstanding customer support and is aligned to the needs and ambitions of the wider organisation and system.

Working with Trust Directors and Executives, lead the development of business plans consistent with the Trusts Commercial strategy and provide leadership to the development of business cases for commercial developments, creating a sustainable pipeline of commercial developments.

The role is responsible for the development and implementation of a commercial strategy for the Trust that achieves the Trusts strategic aims and objectives, ensuring adequate engagement with stakeholders. Working with Trust Directors and Executives, lead the development of business plans consistent with the commercial strategy and provide leadership to the development of business cases for commercial developments, creating a sustainable pipeline of commercial developments

The role holder will ensure that all legal and statutory obligations are met to the highest standards of corporate and clinical governance, personal conduct and probity.

The role holder will be responsible for the development and implementation of a governance framework for commercial activities of the organisation, including third party, not-for-profit and all partnership arrangements consistent with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions and Public Sector procurement regulations.

In addition to being responsible for ensuring that consistently high standards of customer service are delivered, both internally within the Group and externally with our contract and commercial partners.

Recruitment Timescales

Advert Closes- 10th SeptemberNotification of interview invitations- 19th SeptemberInterview date week commencing- 6th October

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Director of the Trust, the role is critical in development of corporate management and strategic planning.

All of the aspects of the role are detailed in the attached job description and recruitment pack.

The below summaries the key elements to the role

The role contributes to the establishment of the Trust-wide standards to maintain, monitor and improve the quality of total care and the efficient use of resources to promote patient satisfaction, experience and outcomes

The role holder will works in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer to agree operational and personal objectives and performance targets which focus on the delivery of the corporate strategy and business plans of the Trust

The role will be responsible for developing and delivering a Group-wide Procurement strategy and ensure the procurement function is fit for purpose, provides the appropriate balance between delivery and development, is focussed on outstanding customer support and is aligned to the needs and ambitions of the wider organisation and system.

Working with Trust Directors and Executives, lead the development of business plans consistent with the Trusts Commercial strategy and provide leadership to the development of business cases for commercial developments, creating a sustainable pipeline of commercial developments.

The role is responsible for the development and implementation of a commercial strategy for the Trust that achieves the Trusts strategic aims and objectives, ensuring adequate engagement with stakeholders. Working with Trust Directors and Executives, lead the development of business plans consistent with the commercial strategy and provide leadership to the development of business cases for commercial developments, creating a sustainable pipeline of commercial developments

The role holder will ensure that all legal and statutory obligations are met to the highest standards of corporate and clinical governance, personal conduct and probity.

The role holder will be responsible for the development and implementation of a governance framework for commercial activities of the organisation, including third party, not-for-profit and all partnership arrangements consistent with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions and Public Sector procurement regulations.

In addition to being responsible for ensuring that consistently high standards of customer service are delivered, both internally within the Group and externally with our contract and commercial partners.

Recruitment Timescales

Advert Closes- 10th SeptemberNotification of interview invitations- 19th SeptemberInterview date week commencing- 6th October

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level or equivalent
  • Relevant professional qualification
  • Evidence of continuing professional and managerial development

Desirable

  • Accounting and/or legal qualification
  • MBA or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial senior management experience in a commercial or Finance role, preferably within the NHS
  • Significant experience managing commercial and/or business development activities at a senior level, preferably the public sector
  • Strong experience of successfully negotiating and managing commercial contracts, dealing with and managing external suppliers to deliver required benefits, preferably within the public sector
  • Evidence of successfully leading and motivating staff including those not within a line management arrangement.

Desirable

  • Wider experience within the NHS, particularly in the acute hospital sector

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential

  • Project management training and skills

Skills

Essential

  • Proven experience of developing and reviewing business cases and commercial contracts
  • IT literate in a range of applications including MS office

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs

Planning and organisation skills

Essential

  • Current knowledge of all aspects of public sector business planning, corporate governance and procurement processes
Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Masters level or equivalent
  • Relevant professional qualification
  • Evidence of continuing professional and managerial development

Desirable

  • Accounting and/or legal qualification
  • MBA or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial senior management experience in a commercial or Finance role, preferably within the NHS
  • Significant experience managing commercial and/or business development activities at a senior level, preferably the public sector
  • Strong experience of successfully negotiating and managing commercial contracts, dealing with and managing external suppliers to deliver required benefits, preferably within the public sector
  • Evidence of successfully leading and motivating staff including those not within a line management arrangement.

Desirable

  • Wider experience within the NHS, particularly in the acute hospital sector

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential

  • Project management training and skills

Skills

Essential

  • Proven experience of developing and reviewing business cases and commercial contracts
  • IT literate in a range of applications including MS office

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs

Planning and organisation skills

Essential

  • Current knowledge of all aspects of public sector business planning, corporate governance and procurement processes

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Address

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester

LE1 5WW


Employer's website

https://www.jobsatleicestershospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Address

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester

LE1 5WW


Employer's website

https://www.jobsatleicestershospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Executive Assistant

Samantha Cloves

samantha.cloves@nhs.net

01165027262

Details

Date posted

29 August 2025

Pay scheme

Very senior manager (VSM)

Salary

Depending on experience dependent upon experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

358-7440073-VSM

Job locations

Leicester Royal Infirmary

Leicester

LE1 5WW


Supporting documents

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