Assistant Director (Contract Management)

The Assistant Director (Contract Management) provides senior commercial leadership to embed a Trust-wide, post-award contract management function that delivers value for money, financial control and effective supplier performance across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the postholder operates with significant professional autonomy, providing assurance to Executive Directors and senior governance forums. The role leads contract governance, assurance and compliance, ensuring adherence to the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime, counter-fraud requirements and Trust Standing Financial Instructions. Acting as senior escalation for high-value, high-risk and complex contracts, the postholder manages disputes and mitigates financial, operational and reputational risk. A core responsibility is supporting financial recovery through leadership of the Contract Management Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), using contract data and supplier performance insight to deliver and sustain cash-releasing savings and prevent value leakage. The postholder is accountable for effective use of contract management systems, maintaining accurate contract registers, and robust reporting. The role also provides professional leadership for contract managers and develops strategic supplier relationships to improve service quality, efficiency and patient outcomes., See the attached job description for a full list of duties, responsibilities and person specification.

• Lead and embed a Trust-wide post-award contract management function, ensuring consistent governance and effective supplier performance across divisions.
• Provide senior commercial leadership and act as escalation for high-value, high-risk and complex contracts, including dispute resolution.
• Deliver strong financial grip and control over non-pay spend, preventing value leakage and securing contractual benefits and service credits.
• Lead the Contract Management Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), delivering and sustaining cash-releasing savings.
• Provide expert commercial assurance to Executive Directors, Audit Committee and Finance-led committees on contract risk, performance and value for money.
• Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, Provider Selection Regime, counter-fraud requirements and Trust Standing Financial Instructions.
• Lead contract governance, assurance and audit activity, including internal and external audit responses.
• Act as Senior Responsible Owner for contract management systems, ensuring accurate registers, data quality and reporting.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships to improve performance, innovation and service quality.
• Act as professional lead for the Trust's contract management community, setting standards, building capability and holding suppliers to account.
  
  At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.