Job overview
Expert-level* DDaT commissioning and performance advice, guidance, options appraisal, and analysis as part of the EPR ICF (‘Intelligent Client Function’), to directly support the (CIO) and (CCIO), and the Chief Procurement Officer alongside the EPR Programme manager.
(*Expert as defined by the Government Commercial Function (GCF) Contract Management Standards, attained through the GCF 'Contract Management Capability Programme' (CMCP))
Main duties of the job
●Proactive performance management of commissioned DDaT systems, solutions and capabilities, including Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) contained with contracts across the EPR programme ecosystem to ensure planned benefit realisation;
●Managing collaborative and constructive commercial relationships with external providers of these systems, solutions and capabilities, and supporting them to mirror the EPR ICF with ‘Intelligent Supplier Functions’ (ISFs);
●Progressive and ongoing early market engagement underpinned by the Trust’s published DDaT commercial pipeline, and proactive management of exit plans for all contracts within the EPR programme ecosystem; and
●Working collaboratively with other functional areas across the Trust (e.g. procurement, finance, etc) and supporting external relationships and reviews such as with NHS England and the Cabinet Office, as required.
Working for our organisation
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.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
●Manages large-scale, complex contracts and prepare commercial data, communicating through high-level written reports, commercial analyses, and verbal and written presentations. Present outcomes and sometimes contentious recommendations appropriate to the audience, including Trust Executives, senior clinicians, and peers/colleagues across the organisation.
●Provides subject matter expertise on commercial, and contract issues, and resolve related challenges.
●Cultivates and sustains effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers and funding bodies, to ensure high performance and alignment with organisational expectations.
●Develops a culture that encourages open communication within Contract Management team and ensures that people are managed through promoting effective teamwork, leadership, and motivation across the function.
●Provide proficient advice to senior managers, directors, and stakeholders on contractual matters, ensuring adherence to relevant laws and regulations.
●Presents clear and well-defined recommendations for contract management, which may involve contentious issues due to prior supplier relationships. may involve contentious topics due to existing supplier relationships
●To ensure holistic and seamless approaches are taken throughout the commercial lifecycle, the post holder will work in close collaboration with the Trust’s procurement team, to:
○Ensure that all DDaT products, services and capabilities within the EPR programme ecosystem are procured in accordance with the requirements of the ICF, and the Trust’s procurement policy more broadly, making strategic recommendations based on performance data to drive efficiency;
oEnsure that all pre-procurement and post-procurement transparency notices required by the Public Contract Regulations 2016 and Procurement Act 2023 are published on the Cabinet Office Central Digital Platform via the Trust’s e-commercial system, Atamis, with the required details and within the required timeframes;
●Manages regular conflict of interest assessments on individuals and providers involved in the project, to ensure that any conflicts are identified and mitigated;
●Carry out a rolling plan of progressive early market engagements, which will be consistent with and informed by the Trust’s published DDaT commercial pipeline and exit plans for all contracts within the EPR programme ecosystem;
●The post holder will provide leadership, management and cross-discipline coordination for negotiations and ongoing service management arrangements, for all contracts within the EPR programme ecosystem that are managed by the Trust’s IT team, in particular providing the technical expertise and knowledge on how to deliver best value, economic and social, from contracting procedures, terms and conditions, and SSRM;
●For DDaT systems’ contracts and solution provider relationships managed by the Trust’s clinical areas, the post holder will engage constructively and collaboratively with those areas to ensure consistent application of best practices, and thereby extending the span of influence of the ICF across the entire EPR programme ecosystem;
●The post holder will periodically convene all providers of DDaT products, services and capabilities within the EPR programme ecosystem, to focus on:
oConstructive, solution-oriented and collaborative issue prevention and resolution;
oOpen and honest information sharing, and capturing lessons learned to support continuous improvement across the EPR programme ecosystem; and
oIndirectly helping other Trusts through broader engagement with NHSE FD Commercial (its Senior EPR User Groups and SSRM initiatives) and LPP;
●The post holder will assist all Trust budget holders and project leads on the legal and contractual aspects, including dispute resolution, of all commercial agreements within the EPR programme ecosystem, and provide training on these to Trust staff as required;
●The post holder will be responsible for business planning of all DDaT commissioning performance management activities, and their contributions to the broader activities with the EPR ICF, ensuring performance targets and strategic objectives are met;
●The post holder will develop and continuously improve efficient and effective systems, procedures, record keeping, SLA and KPI tracking, and risk management, for high quality performance management of commissioned DDaT products, services and capabilities within the EPR programme ecosystem, working with a range of senior clinical and non-clinical staff in order to plan and deliver effective processes that meet high standards of governance in accordance with the EPR ICF; Monitor, track, and manage the EPR supplier service performance against the framework call of contract
●The post holder will oversee the maintenance of a central Contracts Register for the EPR ICF, with individual contracts segmented as either ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ or ‘Gold’ in line with GCF / NHSE FD Commercial best practice guidance, and assisting stakeholders to regularly and effectively manage the day-to-day aspects of all contracts for the supply of DDaT products, services and capabilities within the EPR programme ecosystem, including the monitoring of payments to ensure alignment with contractual requirements.
●The post holder will, as and when required, provide training for non-financial managers both on a formal basis (as part of the Trust’s training and development programme) and on any other ad-hoc basis as required and agreed with clinical or business areas. This may include the preparation and presentation of workshops and training throughout the Trust regarding general digital commissioning performance updates, as well as related to specific elements of EPR programme ecosystem contracts.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS), including Chartered Status.
2. 'Expert' level accreditation through the GCF CMCP will be attained (if not already attained on appointment) within the first year in post. Educated to masters / postgraduate level or equivalent experience. Evidence of continued professional development. Further relevant training.
Desirable criteria
3. Relevant World Commerce and Contracting accreditations / certifications, e.g. SRM, Commercial and Contract Management (CCM).
4. 'Practitioner' level accreditation through the GCF CMCP. Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience at postgraduate level. Project management qualification or equivalent experience.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
5. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
6. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications