Contract Manager | Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	18 February 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£47,810 - £54,710 pro rata
Hours:	Part time
Closing date:	20 March 2026
Location:	Crewe, CW1 6ZQ
Company:	Mid Cheshire Hospitals
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7773084/412-CORP-7773084

Summary

We are looking for a Contracts Manager to join our friendly and welcoming team.It is an exciting time to join the team as we work more closely with our operational colleagues and provider partners to ensure that we can maximise value for money and deliver effective care to patients.



The Contract Manager role at MCHFT supports the Head of Contracts in developing the Contracts Function within the Finance Directorate. The team manages a wide range of healthcare commissioning contracts, and this post will lead on Independent Sector Hospital Provider sub‑contracts, with flexibility to cover other areas as needed.

The function also oversees healthcare procurements, ensuring the Trust secures suitable providers through NHS frameworks and complies with the new Provider Selection Regime (PSR). A key aim is to work collaboratively with operational teams and ICB partners to support effective service delivery.

The post holder is a core member of the contracts team, helping to promote the effective use of contract data, information and technology to support a varied contract portfolio. The role provides high‑quality contract management to ensure requirements are met, driving quality improvement and best practice. It also involves complex analysis of activities and reports, requiring sustained concentration and comparison of options to support projects and the contract cycle.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.

Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area’s largest employers.



Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.

As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we’re reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on ourHealthier Futures website.

At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.



JOB PURPOSE

The Contract Manager is responsible for supporting the Head of Contracts in the planning, management, and continual improvement of the contract management service to the organisation. The department provides an efficient, effective and responsible service maximising best value for money whilst complying with relevant guidance and legislation. They will have a key role in supporting the achievement of the Trust’s strategic objectives and delivery of operational and transformation programmes by improving quality through the agreement and management of clear and robust contractual arrangements with providers.



SERVICE DELIVERY



1. To deputise for the Head of Contracts as and when required.

2. To provide expert advice and guidance on a range of contract issues ensuring compliance with the Trust’s policies, national guidance and current legislation (Provider Selection Regime 2023).

3. Day-to-day operational responsibility for the Trust’s contract repository, ensuring all information is accurate and up to date to enable compliant reporting.

4. Use the established contract repository to formulate work plans to ensure timely delivery of divisional contract programmes of work.

5. Working with divisional representatives to identify and support operational needs and challenges.

6. Support the Head of Contracts in the management of a complex and varied contracts portfolio and be responsible for specific aspects of the portfolio of contracts, including ICB and NHS England, NHS Trusts and Independent Sector.

7. Facilitate and manage contract processes including, the negotiation of contracts, contract development, contract award and on-going contract monitoring.

8. Influence and engage with internal and external stakeholders in ensuring contract awards deliver quality for patient care and value for money.

9. Support the Divisions in achieving the national efficiency initiatives.

10. Communicate and engage with finance colleagues to ensure contract pricing demonstrates value for money, and that price competitiveness is maintained or enhanced.

11. Following contract award ensure all requirements of the PSR Regulations 2023 are recorded, including publication of contract awards on any relevant procurement portals i.e. Contract Finder.

12. Conduct regular contract review meetings with providers and key stake holders to ensure contracts are performing as expected and ensure any concerns are communicated in a timely manner to avoid any service disruption.

13. Liaise with senior procurement staff, Divisional Directors, Service Leads, Commissioners and ICB/NHSE Contract Leads in relation to the day-to-day management of any contract enquiries or issues arising.

14. Develop and maintain a network of appropriate internal and external contacts and partners to assist in the delivery of Trust services, works and contracts.

15. To represent the Trust’s Contract Service at internal or external meetings as required.

16. Support in the development and update of the contract training programme and deliver to Trust Managers to ensure all contractual terms and obligations are fully understood and both financial and servicedelivery risks are minimised.

17. Other ad hoc duties as may be required.

18. Support the Head of Contracts in the Contract Strategy and develop and implement contract management policies and service development processes to influence colleagues for practical implementation.



GOVERNANCE



1. To ensure the contract service and portfolio is compliance with the Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s), Standing Orders (SO’s), Scheme of Reservation and Delegation (SoRD) and Trust policies.



2. Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.



MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP



Ensure a healthy, safe and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation and reporting any concerns.



EDUCATION/LEARNING



Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in KSF/appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.



This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks.



All staff at MCHFT have a responsibility to:



· Maintain active registration status

· Always act in accordance with professional Codes of Conduct and guiding documents

· Where applicable, always act in accordance with the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers,

· Maintain up to date skills and knowledge

· Maintain an awareness of patient led service issues

· Maintain a professional/personal portfolio

· Adhere to all Trust policy, procedures and guidelines.

· Adhere to Trust standards of behaviour and expected performance

· Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures as appropriate to their role and responsibilities in their individual work setting. Staff are required to be personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for their own compliance in relation to IP&C polices, protocols or advice.

· Ensure they work in accordance with local procedures and report any issues which they consider to be a risk to the health and safety of themselves and/or others.

· Act in accordance with the Trusts values

· Where applicable to participate in and provide data on the efficacy of treatment and specialties



Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to ensure that we provide equity of services across seven days of the week. This post may be reviewed in line with this plan and in some cases an element of weekend working may be required.



PERSON SPECIFICATION – JOB TITLE





ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

ASSESS BY

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Post-Graduate Qualification in a relevant subject (or other qualifications plus relevant experience)



Demonstrate and understanding of a range of work procedures and practices, which requires expertise within a specialism or discipline, underpinned by theoretical knowledge or relevant practical experience



Experience in managing complex contract for a wide and varied portfolio of contacts in excess of £1m.



Experience ofthe NHS Standard Contract and NHS Finance.



Experience of working in the NHS and an understanding of current issues and challenges.



A/I





SKILLS

Experience of working under pressure to strict deadlines, prioritising own workload, and that of others.



Excellent organisational and planning skills.



Ability to remain focused under pressure.



Excellent written and verbal communication skills.



Excellent analytical and numerical skills



Development of policy and implementation of processes.



Ability to work on own initiative and with autonomy.





A/I





VALUES

A commitment to quality and safety.



A recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues.



A listening, learning and leading approach.

A commitment to work together to create the best outcomes.



Must demonstrate the Trust’s values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns.





A/R

BEHAVIOURS

Must be willing to act as a role model for the department and organisation.



Must be willing to take personal responsibility.



Must have the courage to speak up.



Must value and appreciate the worth of others.





A/R

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Reasonable adjustments will be made under the Disability Discrimination Act)

Occupational Health cleared to perform the duties of the role.



Ability to perform a wide range of duties according to the Job Description.



There is frequent requirement for intense concentration.









KEY: Application form = A Interview = I References = R Skills test = S








This advert closes on Tuesday 3 Mar 2026