Contracts Manager - Band 8a

Job description

Job responsibilities

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY

The proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.

Our Commercial team sits within the Finance and Commercial Directorate and delivers on all aspects of contracting, including information, provider relationships and managing our outsourced procurement arrangements. Our Contracts Managers will take ownership of one of more area of contracts to ensure safe governance and management of contract preparation and execution, and direct provider engagement and to support delivery across the ICB. The role will work closely with Finance Business partners, Commissioners and Quality leads in a multi-disciplinary approach to delivering change across health. This is an exciting time for the time for the NHS as we move towards delivery of the 10 year health plan, managing new contractual models and driving value and outcomes for the residents of Essex.

This team will also support the increased requirements with respect to contract information, indicative activity plans and activity management. Working closely with Finance Business partners, Commissioners and Quality leads in a multi-disciplinary approach to delivering change across health.

The Contracts Managers will work closely across the whole team, to ensure mutual support across the function.

The Commercial Team play a pivotal role in safely securing value for money and high quality services, they will also champion the reduction of health inequalities and the NHS to support broader social and economic development.

As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Director of Commercial in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:

• From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
• From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
• From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:

Policy and service development

• Implement policy and / or service developments related to contracting, drawing on requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan
• Ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies
• Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
• Ensure contract guidance and frameworks are clearly understand and appropriately applied in their area of responsibility.

Strategy and analysis

• Use of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making
• Analysis of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to contracting information and metrics.
• Turning analysis into useful insights that can be used to inform decision making and delivery
• Present complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings
• Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
• Explore new contracting models and approaches to support the objectives of commissioners.

Planning and organisation

• Lead in the negotiation and agreeing of a portfolio of medium to large scale contracts, as required.
• Draft contract documentation for Healthcare contracts, or other contract forms as required.
• Establish processes that ensure commissioning decisions are made appropriately and reflected within agreed contracts. Which will involve leading the negotiation and often sensitive discussions with contractors requiring excellent negotiation and influencing skills
• Plan and organise the required outcomes and approaches to contract negotiations, agreement and monitoring for their area of responsibility.
• Develop and deliver project plans relating to contracts, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
• Ensure preparation and upkeep of contract documentation
• Maintain accurate contract records through the use of the Atamis System
• Managing competing priorities, prioritizing own and team resources to effectively deliver on short, medium and longer term priorities
• Ensure accurate reporting and records management

Communications and partnerships

• Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
• Able to take account of a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
• Present information and training to large groups
• Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed
• Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
• Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of projects that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
• Share complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
• Able to manage conflict, find compromise and persuade based on evidence as needed

Financial and resource management

• Supports procurement of relevant services
• Close working with finance business partner on oversight of project / directorate business and financial plans

Team management and capability building

• Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition
• Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
• Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements
• Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition
• Supporting effective Information Asset Management for the team

Other

• Able to use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the role
• Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
• Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)

Flexibility and evolving responsibilities

As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:

• ICB senior leadership
• Information Governance team
• Local Authority partners
• NHS Providers
• NHSEI regional partners
• Other system partners, such as VCFSE

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience
• Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development across the field of contracting

Partnerships & Communities

Essential

• Experience working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects
• Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively in internal and external meetings
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, challenging within areas of responsibility and escalating appropriately where necessary

People & Culture

Essential

• Experience in leading and motivating teams, including recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary
• Evidence of compassionate leadership and experience in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity
• A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise

Strategy & Analysis

Essential

• A good understanding of current health and social care national aims and policy, and other determinants that impact on healthcare provision
• Experience using analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex problems, ability to recognise policy implications and how to manage potential competing priorities / interests in developing strategies
• Able to translate complex information into clear communications for a range of audiences, including to deliver effective reports to senior leadership

Personal Attributes and Values

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work as part of a team and independently.
• Self-motivated, confident and positive attitude, able to adapt to complex and constantly changing environments and prioritise workload within that context.

Governance and Assurance

Essential

• Experience delivering projects that require collective decision-making and how to negotiate success in those situations
• A good understanding effective corporate governance and the route for decision making within the ICB

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other)
• Experience of leading and managing project in relevant commissioning functions as outlined in the ICB model blueprint
• Experience of managing sensitive situations with staff and stakeholders

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board

Address

Seax House

Victoria Road South

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

Employer's website

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