Job vacancy: Head of Contracts, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, Welwyn, Herts

Job summary

Main area: Contracts
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 8b
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 812-26-AS-HOC-01

Employer: Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Howard Court
Town: Welwyn, Herts
Salary: £66,582 - £77,368 per annum, pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 23/04/2026 23:59

Head of Contracts

NHS AfC: Band 8b

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Oversee all commissioned income contracts and associated clinical sub-contracts for the Trust.

Represent the Trust in contract negotiation and review meetings with commissioners and sub-contractors.

Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with external partners.

Prepare proactively for meetings, identifying and communicating risks and opportunities.

Report formally on a monthly basis to the Planning, Contracting and Business Development (PCBD) Group.

Identify risks and opportunities associated with Trust contracts and record, communicate, escalate and manage these appropriately and proactively.

Provide clear, expert contractual advice to internal stakeholders.

Support operational staff in all contractual matters.

Ensure accurate and up-to-date contract information is filed, stored, and accessible.

Identify and implement improvements in contract negotiation and management processes.

Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Respond to unpredictable situations and manage emotionally demanding elements of the role as required.

Lead on the implementation and ongoing management of the NHS Standard Contract (and other contracts) for all commissioned services, ensuring the Trust’s compliance and maximising value.

Act as the Trust’s subject matter expert on the NHS Standard Contract, providing guidance and training to colleagues as needed.

Monitor changes to the NHS Standard Contract and ensure timely adaptation of Trust processes and documentation.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Degree or equivalent experience in contract management, law, business administration, or a related field.

Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive experience in contract management, preferably within healthcare or public sector environments.
In-depth knowledge and practical experience of the NHS Standard Contract, including its General and Service Conditions, and the ability to interpret and apply contract terms in a healthcare setting.
Demonstrable experience in negotiating, implementing, and managing contracts, including handling contract variations, dispute resolution, and compliance with national policy priorities.
Experience in supporting organisations through formal processes such as, contract reviews, audits, and external assurance processes.
Experience supporting operational staff and advising on contractual matters.

Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to advise on and ensure compliance with NHS Standard Contract requirements, including reporting, risk management, and performance monitoring.
Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills and the ability to evaluate and choose an appropriate response to contractual issues, drawing on both technical contractual expertise and relationship skills.
Proven ability to identify and manage risks and opportunities and to report effectively to senior management, exercising good judgement.
Excellent organizational skills, with a focus on accuracy and accessibility of information.

Other

Essential criteria

Commitment to the Trust’s values: Innovative, Caring, Agile and a track-record of exhibiting these in their work
Full, valid UK driving licence and access to a car with business insurance (if applicable; reasonable adjustments for disability as per the Equality Act 2010).

We will communicate any interview arrangements with applicants via e-mail so it is advisable that you check the email address you give on your application on a regular basis.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band. All new appointments (excluding Medical & Dental roles) are subject to a 26 week probation period.

We are proud to be an armed forces friendly employer and support the employment of the armed forces community, including veterans, spouses and partners. For more information, contact [email protected]

Applications from qualified job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications, subject to you meeting minimum criteria of the role and salary threshold. Please visit the Gov.UK website for detail.

If applicable to the role, staff are required to hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use with business insurance (unless the member of staff has a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

In submitting an application form, you authorise Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record Inter Authority Transfer process should you be appointed to the post.