We are seeking a dynamic and committed individual to join our busy Strategy and Governance Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with colleagues in Procurement and Contracting to lead the further development of a robust and responsive contracting service for Estates and Facilities services. This role will lead on the management of a portfolio of contracts and sub contracts ensuring comprehensive due diligence and assurance. The postholder will lead the review and update of contracting procedures and develop and implement training to ensure embedded across the Trust. The role will provide specialist knowledge on a wide range of complex contracting issues, and lead on developing contractual arrangements ensuring proactive implementation of best practice. The post will provide empowering line management to other members of the team. This is a very interesting time for the Trust with development of new commissioning arrangements and an increasing number of sub contracts to deliver high quality services for our users and carers. The contracting role will reflect an innovative and collaborative approach. Key will be development of effective relationships with operational colleagues across our localities. The right candidate will have in depth NHS contracting expertise, excellent interpersonal and analytical skills, an ability to deliver to deadlines, and be flexible, innovative and solution focused. Main duties of the job This role will support the further development and delivery of a robust contracting function for Estates and Facilities services across the Trust. This will include: management of a portfolio of contracts, sub-contracts; development of new contracts, ensuring appropriate due diligence, liaison and negotiation with commissioners; and the advancement of systems for recording, monitoring and reporting on contractual management to improve assurance. The role will lead the review and update of contracting procedures, and develop and implement training and education for services to ensure these are embedded in practice. The post holder will support the annual Directorate strategic business planning process and development of business cases and tender responses as required. This role will provide specialist knowledge and guidance on a wide range of complex contracting issues supporting identification and escalation of risk and proactive implementation of contracting best practice. This will include working with service leads, clinicians and Deputy Directors or equivalent to ensure effective contracting, and systems are in place that enable high quality service provision for our service users and their carers. The role will also provide empowering line management to other members of the team, sharing their expertise and nurturing talent. About us Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400members of staff, who deliver services from more than160locations. We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond. Greater Manchester is one of the worlds most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options. Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity. Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users. Staff benefits • Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays. • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years • Excellent pension • Cycle to work scheme • Salary sacrifice car scheme • Wellbeing programme • Blue Light Card Discounts Person Specification Qualifications Essential • Masters level qualification or equivalent experience working at a senior level • Evidence of continuing professional development • Relevant professional qualification at graduate level • Knowledge or experience of EU procurement and legislation regulations • ECDL or equivalent level of computer skill and experience Desirable • Prince2, Managing Successful Programmes or other equivalent project or programme management qualification • Completion of Contract Management Professional Standards Programme • Knowledge or experience of working within a large organisation contracting and finance environment Experience Essential • Managing and delivering projects • Drafting briefing papers, reports, business cases and correspondence at senior management level • Managing operational and financial resources and performance, including a good record of effective change management • Managing risks and reporting • Developing and supporting effective working relationships/partnerships with a range of internal and external stakeholders • Working closely with professional and technical staff • Development of monitoring and assurance systems, policies and procedures • Managing contracts and external advisors • Managing individuals/a team Recruitment and application of HR policies and procedures • Budget management • Use of performance information systems to achieve management goals and support service development/improvement • Experience of working with Excel and databases and being able to extract information from these systems for reporting purposes of activities and business planning • Understanding and/or experience of working within the NHS or a local authority and an understanding of organisational structures, processes and systems • Understanding and/or experience of working within the NHS procurement frameworks and tendering processes and skills • Co-ordination of activities and business planning • Knowledge of administrative procedures and project management. • Experience of working with a range of stakeholders in different settings • Ability to produce comprehensive draft reports, data and formal letters. • Experience of dealing with other external organisations and Regulatory Desirable • Working within capital, estates and facilities services in a healthcare environment • Use of specialist estates and facilities management systems/software Knowledge Essential • Management within a healthcare setting, including human resource management and change management • Business management, planning and contract and performance management • Financial systems e.g., budgetary, invoices and procurement • NHS procedures, relevant legislation and guidance and related control mechanisms • NHS Standard Contract and procurement processes Desirable • Capital, estates and facilities legislation and relevant statutory requirements and best practice Skills and Abilities Essential • Excellent communicator - written and verbal • Excellent people skills • Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information across a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels • Good negotiation and influencing skills • Effective liaison with staff at all levels of the organisation • Planning over the short-, medium- and long-term and adjustment of plans and resource requirements to respond to changing needs/circumstances • Ability to undertake complex contract negotiations • Undertake reviews and develop action plans • Analyse complex information and issues, where material is drawn from multiple sources • Ensure projects and contracts are delivered on time, to quality standards and in a cost-effective manner, adjusting plans as needed. • Determine the strategic planning of Department or Directorate projects, identifying interdependencies across services, potential impacts on wider organisation, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary. • Determine the development of performance and governance strategies and the development and implementation of improvement programmes, per service priorities. • Determine short-, medium- and long-term contract plans, achieving quality outcomes. • Ability to function as part of a team and especially across other functions and departments. • Desire to develop, promote, and implement new ways of working when it proves necessary and beneficial. • Take an active role in informing and developing relevant department and organisational specifications • The post holder will handle their own time management and planning, flexibility will be required. Desirable • Ability to inspire and empower staff • Ability to develop and deliver training in relation to contracting • Resilient and self-motivated • Openly looks for and can make best use of constructive criticism • Capable of independent travel and able to work flexibly • Accepts responsibility and accountability for own work and can define the responsibilities of others, aware of any sensitivities that may appear Other Requirements • Open and participative leadership style • Focused, proactive and resilient with problem solving skills • Ability to recognise own and others development needs • Highly organised and ability to deliver to deadlines