Job summary
Shape the Future of North Yorkshires
Care Market
We are offering a fantastic
opportunity within one of the most diverse adult social care markets in the
country. North Yorkshire Council is
seeking a Strategic Lead Contract Relationship Management to oversee millions
of pounds worth of adult social care and public health contracts, driving the
sustainability, quality and performance of vital services for residents.
If you are experienced in managing
high value contracts within Health or Social Care, with a passion for improving
outcomes, and building collaborative, strategic relationships, this is your
chance to make a significant and lasting difference.
Main duties of the job
About the Role
As Strategic Lead, you will
provide expert strategic leadership and operational oversight of a wide portfolio
of complex, high-value contracts. You will:
- Lead and develop a high-performing
Contract Relationship Management team.
- Ensure robust governance, strong
provider relationships, and high-quality contract performance.
- Act as the senior point of escalation
for contractual, provider, and partnership issues.
- Negotiate high-value fees and terms,
securing best value while maintaining a sustainable market.
- Work closely with colleagues across
HAS, finance, procurement, legal, NHS partners, the voluntary sector, and care
providers.
- Drive innovation, continuous
improvement, and system wide transformation.
- Influence key decisions that shape
service delivery for thousands of adults across North Yorkshire.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead strategic contract oversight for
adult social care and public health services.
- Ensure compliance with statutory
duties including the Care Act, NHS Act 2006, CQC expectations, and safeguarding
requirements.
- Oversee performance management, risk
management, audits, and service reviews.
- Manage and develop staff, budgets,
workforce planning, and resources.
- Provide advice to senior leaders.
- Build and maintain strong strategic
partnerships, including NHS Section 75 arrangements.
- Champion innovation, best practice,
and data-driven decision-making.
- Support transformation, savings, and
change programmes across HAS.
About us
Why Join North Yorkshire Council?
- Lead a team that plays a pivotal role
in shaping one of Englands most diverse care markets.
- Enjoy working in a supportive,
collaborative culture.
- Make a tangible difference to
residents, providers, and the wider health and care system.
- Be part of a modern, ambitious council
committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
This role is both strategic and hands
on, combining expert commercial leadership with a deep commitment to improving
lives. The work base will be County Hall, Northallerton. There will be a need
to travel across the county.
As England's largest county, North Yorkshire's natural beauty is
captured in its stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages and market towns, as
well as two spectacular national parks. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful
place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture.
In addition, the county benefits from excellent road and rail
links, with easy access via the east coast mainline, the A1(M) and A19. Leeds,
York, Newcastle, Durham and Teesside are all easily commutable, and London just
two hours away by train.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Context
Working within the Health and Adult
Services directorate of North Yorkshire Council, the Strategic Lead Contract
Relationship Management is a senior management role with oversight of adult
social care and public health contracts valued at approximately £400 million
per annum.
The role provides strategic leadership
and assurance over complex, high value contractual arrangements, including fee
setting and negotiation, to secure quality, sustainability and value for money.
Acting as the Councils senior point of escalation for contractual and
partnership issues, the postholder provides expert advice to senior and
executive leaders to inform decision making and manage risk.
Leading the Contract Relationship
Management Team, the Strategic Lead sets clear direction, embeds robust
governance and performance management, and fosters a high performing, professional
culture aligned to service and corporate objectives. Through strong
relationship management and system leadership, the role works closely with
colleagues across HAS, the wider Council, Integrated Care Board partners and
providers to shape a resilient, high quality care and support market for the
people of North Yorkshire.
The designated work base is County
Hall, Northallerton, with the ability to travel across the county.
Job Purpose
To lead the Contract Management Team and provide
clear operational leadership to ensure that adult social care contracts are
effectively managed, monitored and reviewed. The role ensures contractual
compliance, quality assurance, value for money and delivery of agreed outcomes
in line with Council procedures, legislative requirements and Directorate
priorities.
Operational Management
- Management and leadership of Contract Relationship
Management team
- Ensure compliance with all statutory social care
requirements that relate to the role, including the Care Act and the NHS Act
2006
- Provide operational oversight of public health and
adult social care contracts, ensuring services are delivered to high standards
and in line with agreed specifications and contractual obligations.
- Lead robust contract performance management
processes, including service reviews, audits and compliance checks
- Ensure consistent, high-quality contract governance
frameworks are in place and applied across services. Work collaboratively with
internal teams to ensure contracts are well-structured, deliverable,
financially sustainable and aligned with Council priorities.
- Support Heads of Service and commissioning leads in
the commissioning and procurement of Social Care services, ensuring contracts
are fit for purpose and enable the delivery of best value and good outcomes.
- Champion innovation and best practice in contract
delivery, identifying opportunities to enhance service quality, efficiency, and
outcomes for residents.
Resource Management
- Take responsibility for core people management
functions including recruitment, workforce planning, performance feedback,
absence management, and health and safety compliance.
- Oversee staffing and contract budgets, ensuring
robust financial control, value for money and delivery of savings and
efficiencies as required.
- Represent the council confidently in strategic
discussions and negotiations.
- Manage multiple complex workstreams and competing
priorities effectively, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently to meet
both strategic and operational objectives.
Strategic Management
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to a
specialist contract management team, ensuring staff have clear objectives, are
supported through regular supervision, and empowered to develop professionally.
- Act as the Councils lead professional authority on
adult social care contract management, advising senior leaders and Members on
risk, performance and market issues.
- Lead negotiations with contracted providers, in
order to protect the financial and reputational interests of the Council and
ensure the care and support market remains sustainable.
- Oversee provider relationship management, acting as
the strategic point of escalation and bringing stakeholders together to resolve
complex service delivery and contractual issues and disputes
- Oversee financial risk associated with the provider
market and advise on mitigation strategies.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external
stakeholders to drive service transformation, continuous improvement and best
value
- Ensure that robust, auditable contract governance
processes are embedded, Lead and/or support the delivery of programmes and
projects as part of the Councils change, savings and transformation programmes
Partnerships
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with
care providers, NHS partners, voluntary, community and faith sector
organisations, other local authorities and internal stakeholders
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Service and
Legal Colleagues to develop, implement, and review formal partnership
agreements, including Section 75 arrangements with Integrated Care Boards,
ensuring alignment with statutory responsibilities and local priorities.
- Ensure robust governance, financial accountability,
and performance oversight is embedded within all jointly commissioned
arrangements, enabling transparency and assurance across health and social care
partnerships.
- Represent the Council in partnership forums, and
regional networks, influencing collaborative approaches to service delivery and
contract alignment.
- Deputise for the Head of Service or Assistant
Director as required
Communications
- Act as the senior point of contact for all
contract-related communications with providers, internal teams, elected
members, and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity, consistency, and professionalism.
- Communicate complex contractual and performance
information in a way that is accessible and actionable for a range of
audiences, including senior leaders, NHS partners, and care providers.
- Lead strategic engagement with providers through
structured forums, briefings, and relationship-building activities, fostering a
culture of openness, collaboration, and shared accountability.
Systems and Information
- Provide strategic oversight of contract-related
data and information systems, ensuring accurate, timely, and secure recording
of contract activity using council systems.
- Lead the development and implementation of digital
tools that enhance contract visibility, support provider intelligence, and
enable data-driven decision-making.
- Ensure contract performance, quality, and financial
data is analysed and reported effectively to inform strategic planning,
operational improvements, and assurance processes.
- Champion the use of technology and data to improve
contract management practices, drive efficiencies, and support continuous
improvement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Context
Working within the Health and Adult
Services directorate of North Yorkshire Council, the Strategic Lead Contract
Relationship Management is a senior management role with oversight of adult
social care and public health contracts valued at approximately £400 million
per annum.
The role provides strategic leadership
and assurance over complex, high value contractual arrangements, including fee
setting and negotiation, to secure quality, sustainability and value for money.
Acting as the Councils senior point of escalation for contractual and
partnership issues, the postholder provides expert advice to senior and
executive leaders to inform decision making and manage risk.
Leading the Contract Relationship
Management Team, the Strategic Lead sets clear direction, embeds robust
governance and performance management, and fosters a high performing, professional
culture aligned to service and corporate objectives. Through strong
relationship management and system leadership, the role works closely with
colleagues across HAS, the wider Council, Integrated Care Board partners and
providers to shape a resilient, high quality care and support market for the
people of North Yorkshire.
The designated work base is County
Hall, Northallerton, with the ability to travel across the county.
Job Purpose
To lead the Contract Management Team and provide
clear operational leadership to ensure that adult social care contracts are
effectively managed, monitored and reviewed. The role ensures contractual
compliance, quality assurance, value for money and delivery of agreed outcomes
in line with Council procedures, legislative requirements and Directorate
priorities.
Operational Management
- Management and leadership of Contract Relationship
Management team
- Ensure compliance with all statutory social care
requirements that relate to the role, including the Care Act and the NHS Act
2006
- Provide operational oversight of public health and
adult social care contracts, ensuring services are delivered to high standards
and in line with agreed specifications and contractual obligations.
- Lead robust contract performance management
processes, including service reviews, audits and compliance checks
- Ensure consistent, high-quality contract governance
frameworks are in place and applied across services. Work collaboratively with
internal teams to ensure contracts are well-structured, deliverable,
financially sustainable and aligned with Council priorities.
- Support Heads of Service and commissioning leads in
the commissioning and procurement of Social Care services, ensuring contracts
are fit for purpose and enable the delivery of best value and good outcomes.
- Champion innovation and best practice in contract
delivery, identifying opportunities to enhance service quality, efficiency, and
outcomes for residents.
Resource Management
- Take responsibility for core people management
functions including recruitment, workforce planning, performance feedback,
absence management, and health and safety compliance.
- Oversee staffing and contract budgets, ensuring
robust financial control, value for money and delivery of savings and
efficiencies as required.
- Represent the council confidently in strategic
discussions and negotiations.
- Manage multiple complex workstreams and competing
priorities effectively, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently to meet
both strategic and operational objectives.
Strategic Management
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to a
specialist contract management team, ensuring staff have clear objectives, are
supported through regular supervision, and empowered to develop professionally.
- Act as the Councils lead professional authority on
adult social care contract management, advising senior leaders and Members on
risk, performance and market issues.
- Lead negotiations with contracted providers, in
order to protect the financial and reputational interests of the Council and
ensure the care and support market remains sustainable.
- Oversee provider relationship management, acting as
the strategic point of escalation and bringing stakeholders together to resolve
complex service delivery and contractual issues and disputes
- Oversee financial risk associated with the provider
market and advise on mitigation strategies.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external
stakeholders to drive service transformation, continuous improvement and best
value
- Ensure that robust, auditable contract governance
processes are embedded, Lead and/or support the delivery of programmes and
projects as part of the Councils change, savings and transformation programmes
Partnerships
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with
care providers, NHS partners, voluntary, community and faith sector
organisations, other local authorities and internal stakeholders
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Service and
Legal Colleagues to develop, implement, and review formal partnership
agreements, including Section 75 arrangements with Integrated Care Boards,
ensuring alignment with statutory responsibilities and local priorities.
- Ensure robust governance, financial accountability,
and performance oversight is embedded within all jointly commissioned
arrangements, enabling transparency and assurance across health and social care
partnerships.
- Represent the Council in partnership forums, and
regional networks, influencing collaborative approaches to service delivery and
contract alignment.
- Deputise for the Head of Service or Assistant
Director as required
Communications
- Act as the senior point of contact for all
contract-related communications with providers, internal teams, elected
members, and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity, consistency, and professionalism.
- Communicate complex contractual and performance
information in a way that is accessible and actionable for a range of
audiences, including senior leaders, NHS partners, and care providers.
- Lead strategic engagement with providers through
structured forums, briefings, and relationship-building activities, fostering a
culture of openness, collaboration, and shared accountability.
Systems and Information
- Provide strategic oversight of contract-related
data and information systems, ensuring accurate, timely, and secure recording
of contract activity using council systems.
- Lead the development and implementation of digital
tools that enhance contract visibility, support provider intelligence, and
enable data-driven decision-making.
- Ensure contract performance, quality, and financial
data is analysed and reported effectively to inform strategic planning,
operational improvements, and assurance processes.
- Champion the use of technology and data to improve
contract management practices, drive efficiencies, and support continuous
improvement.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field
- Evidence of continuous professional development in leadership, governance, or health and social care.
Desirable
- Project management qualification
- Professional qualification in contract management, procurement, or commissioning (e.g., CIPS, IACCM)
Occupational Skills
Essential
- Advanced negotiation, persuasion, motivational, and communication skills to influence stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and overcome barriers.
- Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic discretion.
- Advanced leadership and people management skills, with proven ability to develop highly effective teams
- Strong political and organisational awareness with ability to work across organisational boundaries;
- Ability to foster collaboration and build consensus among partners
- Advanced contract negotiation and drafting skills,
- Strong analytical skills to interpret performance, quality, and financial data, and translate insights into actionable improvements
- Excellent communication skills, able to convey information to diverse audiences in appropriate formats
- Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams and competing priorities effectively.
- Ability to make effective decisions and sound professional judgements
- High level of digital literacy with ability and commitment to using technology to improve service delivery and enhance contract governance
Experience
Essential
- Significant knowledge of either NHS and/or social care policy environment at local, regional and national level
- Strong understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and good practice relating to commissioning and contracting in health and social care.
- Extensive experience managing contracts within health and/or social care sectors,
- Proven track record of leading contract performance management processes, including audits, compliance checks, and service reviews.
- Strong understanding of Care Quality Commission regulatory requirements, statutory requirements
- Experience of operating within organisational governance frameworks.
- Experience in managing strategic provider relationships to achieve good outcomes and value for money
- Extensive experience in leading and developing effective teams
- Experience of successful change management within complex organisations
- Experience in managing budgets
- Significant knowledge of current good practice standards in contract management and procurement within the public sector
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of how Equality & Diversity, Dignity & Respect and Human Rights will apply to this role.
- Familiarity with digital contract management systems and data-driven decision-making tools.
Desirable
- Experience using Liquid Logic and Controcc
- Experience in quality assurance and/or contract management within Adult Social Care
- Working knowledge and application of project management principles/methodology
- Experience in procurement or commissioning
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field
- Evidence of continuous professional development in leadership, governance, or health and social care.
Desirable
- Project management qualification
- Professional qualification in contract management, procurement, or commissioning (e.g., CIPS, IACCM)
Occupational Skills
Essential
- Advanced negotiation, persuasion, motivational, and communication skills to influence stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and overcome barriers.
- Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and strategic discretion.
- Advanced leadership and people management skills, with proven ability to develop highly effective teams
- Strong political and organisational awareness with ability to work across organisational boundaries;
- Ability to foster collaboration and build consensus among partners
- Advanced contract negotiation and drafting skills,
- Strong analytical skills to interpret performance, quality, and financial data, and translate insights into actionable improvements
- Excellent communication skills, able to convey information to diverse audiences in appropriate formats
- Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams and competing priorities effectively.
- Ability to make effective decisions and sound professional judgements
- High level of digital literacy with ability and commitment to using technology to improve service delivery and enhance contract governance
Experience
Essential
- Significant knowledge of either NHS and/or social care policy environment at local, regional and national level
- Strong understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and good practice relating to commissioning and contracting in health and social care.
- Extensive experience managing contracts within health and/or social care sectors,
- Proven track record of leading contract performance management processes, including audits, compliance checks, and service reviews.
- Strong understanding of Care Quality Commission regulatory requirements, statutory requirements
- Experience of operating within organisational governance frameworks.
- Experience in managing strategic provider relationships to achieve good outcomes and value for money
- Extensive experience in leading and developing effective teams
- Experience of successful change management within complex organisations
- Experience in managing budgets
- Significant knowledge of current good practice standards in contract management and procurement within the public sector
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of how Equality & Diversity, Dignity & Respect and Human Rights will apply to this role.
- Familiarity with digital contract management systems and data-driven decision-making tools.
Desirable
- Experience using Liquid Logic and Controcc
- Experience in quality assurance and/or contract management within Adult Social Care
- Working knowledge and application of project management principles/methodology
- Experience in procurement or commissioning
