Assistant Contracts Manager

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Job overview

The post-holder will support the Head of Contracting in developing and implementing processes for monitoring and managing a portfolio of contracts including but not exclusively, secondary, tertiary, mental health and community healthcare contracts with Independent and NHS providers.

The post holder will also take lead responsibility for a number of contracts within their portfolio.

Preparation and management of documentation for Service Level Agreements (SLAs) where UHL provides services for other organisations outside of the main Acute Services Contract.

Please note you will be required to work on one of UHL site's at least two days each week.

Main duties of the job

Develop strong relationships between the purchasers of UHL services and demonstrate this through confident contract negotiation and in year monitoring.

Lead the day-to-day negotiations and management of delegated SLAs. Ensure SLAs are financially robust and include agreed service developments identified throughout the yearly cycle.

Manage the documentation throughout the contracts process, ensuring that contract documentation is kept up to date.

Implement SLA documentation in line with national requirements and the SFIs of the trust within defined timescales.

Support the Head of Contracting and the Deputy Head of Contracts in the delivery of the day-to-day management of the main Acute Services Contract as well as other large value contracts.

Working for our organisation

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:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacanc...

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To support work on the development of service specifications and / or the business case that leads to the issue of contracts for newly contracted provider services

Support the processes for the sharing of SLA information with appropriate corporate and clinical divisions and commissioners of our services.

Continually review and update all monitoring information in conjunction with Finance and IM & T links associated with the assigned portfolio of agreements.

Enhance and build on existing working relationships with key stakeholders and commissioners within and out with of Leicestershire where necessary.

To respond proactively to developments within and outside of the Trust, looking at ways of maximising income to the Trust.

To participate in relevant training to keep updated in systems and software packages relevant to the delivery of the role e.g. GIS, HISS

To provide support and advice to divisional managers, including PbR updates and national guidance appertaining to the management of contracts, including coding and counting.

Provide and receive complex or sensitive information; communicate business and patient sensitive information; agreement or co-operation from NHS staff at all levels of the organisation and external organisations as required.

Provide the team with necessary data and information to inform and support key commissioner relationships and meetings

To convene, attend (as appropriate) and support relevant meetings,

collating and providing relevant documentation, taking minutes or action notes and ensuring associated follow-up action is taken.

To support and manage the analysis and interpretation of contract performance data liaising with information analysts, corporate performance and finance colleagues as appropriate bringing variances or anomalies to the attention of the contracting team as appropriate.

Produce and compile contract/service level agreement documentation. Keep an up- to-date record of the status of all contracts and contract schedules.

Takes an active part in the development review of own work against the requirements for the post and suggests areas for learning and development as well as supporting the team's learning and development objectives.

The post holder will act in a manner so as to portray the Trust and the contracting function in a professional, efficient and effective manner.

The contracting function is to be an integral part of the Trust and therefore has a key part to play in ensuring the Trust achieves its long term vision.

To do this the post holder needs to be able to actively manage the here and now whilst planning for the future.

The post holder will ensure that any developments in SLAs are progressed through appropriate engagement and consultation and are implemented in a co-ordinated manner to meet both the commissioner intentions and the long-term business aims of the Trust.

To comply with the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions (SFI's) and Standing Orders (SOs) and develop strategies to ensure compliance.
Assists patients, visitors as necessary.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree level or equivalent in experience at a similar level

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and experience of contract management

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience within the Healthcare sector at management level
• Proven track record of achieving challenging healthcare targets
• Well-developed IT skills to manage and report on performance management information
• Detailed knowledge of data collection and analysis processes around SUS and other national reporting systems
• Experience of leading/managing NHS or non NHS contracts
• Awareness of NHS Structure including Primary care organisation/relationships

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in an Acute Teaching hospital
• Knowledge of the NHS National Plan and strategic awareness
• Knowledge and experience of capacity & demand management techniques
• Knowledge of PBR Guidance and national/local tariff arrangements within NHS contracting and financial policies
• Detailed knowledge of data collection and analysis processes around SUS and other national reporting systems

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent communications skills, written and oral
• Ability to communicate with people from all levels of the organisation and across organisational boundaries
• Able to present reasoned verbal responses in the pressure situations and agreed way forward
• Ability to construct written responses which are clear, concise and achieve desired outcomes
• Evidence of being a team-player but able to stand back when necessary
• Ability to present data
• Proven influencing skills
• Ability to manage conflict

Desirable criteria

• Ability to preseAble to listen and respond, to show empathy, sympathy and consideration whilst reaching an appropriate agreementnt data

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential criteria

• Logical thinker with evidence of implementation of ideas and solutions
• Excellent problem solving skills using team when appropriate
• Able to analyse and understand financial data
• Business focused
• Sensitive to clinical and political demands
• Ability to cut through barriers to change

Planning and Organisation Skills

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable Organisational Skills

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria

• Ability to work, using desk top computer in line with current health and safety regulations
• Ability to operate a keyboard

Desirable criteria

• Have a flexible approach to working and be available to work outside normal hours as and when required

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Band 6 JD (PDF, 576.5KB)
• Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)