Head of Contracts

Head of Contracting

Band 8c | London | NHS

Location: London (1 day a week on site)

Hourly Rate: £55.92 via Umb

Duration: 4 months

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced NHS commissioning and contracting professional to join a large Integrated Care System as a Head of Contracting. This senior leadership role is responsible for leading a portfolio of complex healthcare contracts, procurements, and commissioning programmes, ensuring high-quality services are delivered while securing value for money and supporting strategic healthcare transformation

Reporting into the senior Contracting leadership team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across commissioning, contracting, procurement, performance management, and provider relationship management. You'll work collaboratively with internal stakeholders, healthcare providers, and system partners to develop and deliver contracting strategies aligned to organisational priorities

• Lead the development and delivery of contracting and procurement strategies across a complex healthcare portfolio
• Manage annual contract negotiations, documentation, and contract performance arrangements
• Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, governance requirements, and organisational policies
• Lead provider contract management, resolving performance, quality, and financial issues
• Develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders across healthcare organisations and partner agencies
• Provide expert commissioning and contracting advice to support strategic decision-making
• Lead and develop a high-performing contracting team, promoting collaboration and continuous improvement
• Support organisational transformation programmes and strategic commissioning objectives

You will be an experienced NHS commissioning, contracting, or commercial leader with a strong track record of managing large-scale healthcare contracts and complex stakeholder relationships. You'll be comfortable operating within politically sensitive environments and influencing at senior executive level

• Significant senior-level experience within NHS commissioning, contracting, or provider management
• In-depth understanding of NHS contracts, commissioning frameworks, funding mechanisms, and healthcare policy
• Experience leading complex contract negotiations and procurement exercises
• Demonstrable experience managing budgets and delivering value-for-money outcomes
• Experience leading and developing teams within a complex healthcare environment
• Ability to influence, negotiate, and build relationships with senior stakeholders and executive leaders