NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Contract Manager

The closing date is 14 September 2025

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Contract Manager to join the Methods and Economics team at NICE. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and embedding new processes to enable cutting-edge research and decision support, working within a collaborative, high-performing team.

The Contract Manager will lead the development and implementation of processes to set up and manage the decision and technical support unit (DTSU) element (Lot 2) of the External Assessment Group framework. This will include designing and operationalising new systems for project prioritisation, workflow, quality assurance and capacity management to streamline contract initiation and maintain alignment across the framework. The contract manager will also support procurement and tendering processes.

Working closely with the Senior Programme Manager, Senior Health Economics Adviser, and colleagues across NICE -- including Medicines Evaluation, Health Tech, Science Evidence and Analytics, and the Centre for Guidelines -- you will ensure clear, consistent processes are established for accessing the DTSU service.

You will manage the project pipeline, monitor equity of access, and oversee contract delivery against agreed milestones and KPIs. The role also involves coordinating regular supplier performance reviews, forward planning to support capacity management, and driving continuous improvement across all aspects of contract management.

Main duties of the job

The Contract Manager will lead the day-to-day management of the DTSU contract as part of the wider External Assessment Group framework. The contract manager will:

  • establish and manage the operational processes to support effective contract management.
  • coordinate the contract management group, ensuring strong communication across internal teams and external supplier(s)
  • maintain clear, up-to-date documentation, including project dashboards and risk registers
  • develop and refine reporting templates in line with broader framework requirements
  • monitor supplier performance against milestones and KPIs, escalating issues and proposing solutions where needed
  • organise quarterly performance reviews and ensure timely submission of all reporting materials

About us

The SEA Methods and Economics team works to develop methods for aligning our approach to guidance development across NICE, provides a NICE-wide health economic modelling and analytic function and oversees delivery of an external decision and technical support function for NICE. We build on and enhance NICE's reputation as a methodological innovator and aim to improve our methods to take account of novel technologies and changes in the wider health and social care system.

We can offer you a great place to work with good benefits, flexible working, and a supportive, friendly, and inclusive environment.

Our benefits include:

  • Generous NHS Pension - Secure your future with one of the most rewarding pension schemes in the UK.
  • Flexible Working - Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with options like remote working, compressed hours and flexible start/finish times.
  • Exclusive Discounts - Save on shopping, dining and more with a Blue Light Card.
  • Time to Recharge - Start with 27 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
  • Inclusive Staff Networks - Join supportive communities like Women in NICE, Race Equality Network, Disability Advocacy and more - we celebrate diversity.
  • Tailored Development - Grow your career with personalised learning and development opportunities.

If you feel this is the type of environment you will enjoy working in, apply today!

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

907-787

Job locations

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Job description

Job responsibilities

To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job.

Please see job description attached for full list of responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job.

Please see job description attached for full list of responsibilities.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant degree (e.g., law, business administration, life sciences, or a related field) or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through further training and development, plus additional business management experience or training to postgraduate diploma level or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial experience managing research contract workflows or coordinating projects with internal teams and external academic or commercial partners.

Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience implementing new systems and processes to enhance service delivery in research, healthcare, or academic environments.

Knowledge

Essential

  • In-depth knowledge of contract management principles, processes, tools, and techniques.
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant degree (e.g., law, business administration, life sciences, or a related field) or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through further training and development, plus additional business management experience or training to postgraduate diploma level or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

  • Substantial experience managing research contract workflows or coordinating projects with internal teams and external academic or commercial partners.

Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience implementing new systems and processes to enhance service delivery in research, healthcare, or academic environments.

Knowledge

Essential

  • In-depth knowledge of contract management principles, processes, tools, and techniques.

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

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Address

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.nice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Address

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Employer's website

https://www.nice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Programme Manager

Jean Ryan

Jean.ryan@nice.org.uk

Details

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

907-787

Job locations

3rd Floor

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

NICE – The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)