Head of Healthcare Contracts

Closing Date:  30th December 2025

Shortlisting to take place in the week following closing date:  commencing 5th January 2026.

Interviews expected to take place in the week following shortlisting:  commencing 12th January 2026.

The post forms an integral part of the Contract & Income Team and will act as interface with key senior staff within the Trust and external organisations. The post-holder will report directly to the Assistant Director of Finance and work collaboratively with a wide range of key senior Trust staff (Chief Officer, Chief Nurse, Medical director, Divisional General Managers and clinicians).

The post holder will be required to work across professional boundaries both within the Trust and externally.

The post holder will be responsible for the management and performance of the Contracting & Overseas team ensuring their roles and objectives as noted in their Job Description are clearly demonstrated and achieved.

The post holder plays a lead professional role in performance and operational management, Trust wide, through negotiating and agreeing legally binding contracts with commissioners (NHSE, Integrated Care Board (ICB), Local Authority) and other providers (private sector, subcontracting and inter-hospital provider contracts); securing NHS income for the Trust in excess of £550 million. 

Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:

• We value people
• We are one team
• We care

We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.

·    To advise, negotiate and complete all legally binding highly complex contracts for NHS commissioners (NHSE and West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)), Private sector organisations, Local Authority and Provider contracts.

·  To demonstrate and use in-depth highly developed specialised  knowledge of contracting processes, specifications, policies, including NHS guidance and legislation.

·      To be familiar with and support the use of technology and to be able to progress and complete contract agreements using technology.

·  To liaise with key very senior Trust staff on the mandatory information, quality and performance requirements within the standard contract; to facilitate contract sign off and ensure delivery of these.

·      To manage and lead Trust wide on NHSE specialised and screening activity projects, prime contractor model of care, derogation exercises liaising with Chief Operating Officer, Divisional General Managers, clinicians and operational staff.

·       To analyse, manage and prepare contracts for sub-contracting with private sector organisations and other providers; ensuring all contractual requirements have been followed and the necessary service specifications are agreed and followed to ensure optimum quality and efficiency.

·     To be able to advise and use in-depth highly developed specialised knowledge of the NHS Standard Contract management process (General conditions GC9), including contract query notices, excusing notes, joint investigations and remedial action plans, exception reporting and withholding and retaining payments.

·   To work with commissioners as required on the operational and contractual processes in the development of Prime Contractor models

·  To validate, check and complete contract service variations for service improvements, liaising with internal key senior staff, before sending to the Director of Finance for signature.

·      To have in depth knowledge of the contract and service termination process and notice periods, preparing letters to terminate for signature from the Director / Assistant Director of Finance.

·  To support and advise clinical and operational staff on the presentation, contractual mechanisms and processes required to progress service improvements where the Executive Team have approved them to be presented to Commissioners.

·    To oversee or deal with difficult complex individual funding requests (IFR's) liaising with the commissioner and Trust clinical staff as required.

·  To manage in year relationships with commissioners including a process of formal review meetings, ensuring that all contractual and highly contentious issues are raised and resolved promptly and effectively.

·   To provide advice, information and prepare strategic reports and briefings for directors and stakeholders.