Primary Care Contracts Manager - B8a

Posting date:	14 May 2026
Salary:	£57,528 to £64,750 per year
Additional salary information:	£57528 - £64750 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	27 May 2026
Location:	Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	D9708-MSE498

Summary

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY The proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation. The postholder will support the Primary Care Senior Contracts Manager in the day to day oversight and management of a broad portfolio of GMS/PMS and APMS contracts across Essex. The postholder will support the Senior Contracts Manager by leading on the management of a portfolio of contracts/tasks and functions within the primary medical care domain. This will include contract drafting, negotiation and management, providing specialist advice to the Senior Primary Care Contracts Manager and Director of Commissioning Primary Care and Neighbourhoods where escalation is required. The postholder will work closely with the Director of Commissioning Primary Care and Neighbourhoods and wider Neighbourhood Health team in the next phase of the delivery of the 10 Year Plan specifically in regards to the local implementation of new national models of contract. The postholder will work with multiple stakeholders both internal to our organisation such as quality, finance and the neighbourhood teams as well as external stakeholders such as the providers, Local Medical Committee, Healthwatch, Primary Care Networks and others to support the successful provision of primary care to our population. As a corporate leader within the ICB, the post holder contributes to collective decision-making and holds delegated accountability for performance, quality, workforce and financial management within their portfolio. The role provides a lead contribution to the development, interpretation, implementation and monitoring of ICB policy and strategy, ensuring alignment with the ICBs strategic objectives and the national 10-Year Plan. The post holder will ensure that commissioning decisions support prevention, personalisation and the 'left shift' from hospital to community settings, building resilient, integrated neighbourhood health systems. They will provide visible, inclusive and values-based leadership for staff and partners, ensuring effective delivery through collaboration with NHS providers, local authorities, primary care and the voluntary and community sector. As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan: From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning. From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health. From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Policy and service development Implement and maintain policy and / or service developments related to primary care contracting, drawing on requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan Ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies Implement contract policy and / or contract developments as related to the role, interpreting requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan Support the rollout of national and local contract policy initiatives relating to primary care services. Ensure providers comply with relevant guidance, standards and contractual requirements. Promote and use research and innovation to inform service improvements and new ways of working to improve patient outcomes, experience and service sustainability. Strategy and analysis Use of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making. Monitor and interpret performance, quality and activity data to identify variation and opportunities for improvement. Provide analysis and insight to support operational decision-making and performance management. Work with analytical teams to ensure accurate reporting and data-driven planning. Produce concise reports and briefings for senior leaders and system partners. Present highly complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings. Use population health management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for residents and the sustainability of health services. Planning and organisation Develop project plans to drive the contracting of primary care and Neighbourhood Health services. Management of day-to-day performance challenges with providers. Manage delivery against agreed project plans, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting Communications and partnership Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making Present information and training to large groups Building and maintain productive relationships with community providers including Primary Care. Support effective communication between the ICB and other system partners. Represent the ICB in meetings and networks, ensuring consistent messaging and collaboration. Engage with patient and public representatives to ensure operational decisions reflect community priorities. Financial and resource management Support financial monitoring and ensure operational delivery within agreed budget envelopes. Identify and implement efficiency opportunities through digital transformation and better resource use. Supports procurement, contracting and payment processes for primary care services. Team management and capability building Manage a small team of contract support staff, ensuring effective workload management and high performance. Promote a culture of collaboration and project staff, ensuring effective workload management and high performance. Promote a culture of collaboration, inclusivity and continuous improvement. Contribute to wider workforce planning and talent development across the ICB. Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition Other Use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the role Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings Expected to be physically on site at least 2 days a week, this may be in the ICB officer, or in a partner location as required Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel) Flexibility and evolving responsibilities As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures. KEY RELATIONSHIPS Internal: Director of Primary Care and Neighbourhood Commissioning Executive Director of Neighbourhood Health Primary Care Teams Neighbourhood Teams Finance Team Quality Team Corporate Team Population Health, Digital and Strategy teams Communications and Engagement teams External: GP practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) Local Medical Committee (LMC), NHS England (Regional Primary Care and Vaccination teams) Local Authority Community and acute providers Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners Healthwatch and patient participation groups