Are you a delivery focused leader who understands the realities of NHS contracting and can bring structure and control to a complex portfolio? If so, join Elysium Healthcare as the Director of Contracts, Tenders & Commissioning.
As the Director of Contracts, Tenders & Commissioning you’ll be accountable for the operational leadership, delivery and performance of Elysium Healthcare’s NHS and public sector contracting function across England and Wales. This role provides end‑to‑end ownership of contract management, tender delivery and contractual performance, ensuring the organisation maintains strong commissioner confidence, delivers against contractual obligations, and secures sustainable, high‑quality income.
Acting as the central point of control for all contractual activity, you’ll bring pace, structure and rigour to the function – leading a specialist team to deliver high‑quality tenders, robust contract governance, and proactive performance management across all commissioned services.
While commissioner strategy and external market positioning are led by the Chief Commercial & Communications Officer and Business Development Directors, this role provides the executional engine, contractual expertise and operational grip required to translate strategy into delivery.
This is a hybrid role with travel to our offices in Borehamwood/Luton and travel to our services.
Key Responsibilities
Contracts & Commissioning
* Lead the operational management of all NHS and Local Authority contracts
* Own complex contractual arrangements including block contracts, frameworks and spot purchasing
* Maintain clear oversight of income, activity, performance and contractual risk
* Support commercial negotiations, pricing and fee uplifts
Tenders & Bids
* Lead the end-to-end delivery of all tenders and bid submissions
* Build and embed a high-performing, centralised bid function
* Ensure all bids are clinically credible and operationally deliverable
* Oversee mobilisation and post-award contract finalisation
Performance & Governance
* Take ownership of contractual performance and compliance
* Lead contract variations, renewals and issue resolutionEnsure audit readiness and robust governance across all services
Systems & Process
* Own and develop our contract management system (SpotDraft)
* Drive improvements in tracking, reporting and governance
* Establish a single source of truth for all contractual activity
Leadership
* Lead and develop a specialist contracts and tenders team
* Build a culture of accountability, pace and high standards
* Act as a trusted partner across Commercial, Finance and Operations
To be successful in this role
* Significant senior experience within mental health, neurological, learning disabilities, autism services and CYPMHS.
* Proven track record of leading and delivering NHS and Local Authority tenders in a complex, multi-site environment.
* Strong working knowledge of NHS commissioning structures, including ICBs, Provider Collaboratives and procurement frameworks.
* Demonstrable experience of contract management, governance and performance oversight, including income and risk management.
* Experience leading and developing a specialist, high-performing team.
* Highly organised, detail-oriented and commercially astute, with the ability to operate at pace and maintain strong operational grip.
* Experience of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) and evolving NHS procurement landscape.
* Experience managing block contracts, regional commissioning arrangements and complex funding models.
* Familiarity with contract management systems (e.g. SpotDraft or equivalent).
* Execution-focused leader with a strong bias for delivery and accountability.
* Brings structure, discipline and pace to complex operational environments.
* Confident operating with senior NHS stakeholders and internal executive teams.
* Able to balance detail with commercial oversight, ensuring nothing is missed while maintaining strategic alignment.
* Builds credibility through consistency, ownership and high-quality outputs.
What You’ll Get
* Competitive Salary
* The equivalent of 30 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window.
* Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals.
* Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate; Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub!
* Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
* Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts.
* Life Assurance, for added peace of mind.
* Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support.
* 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be.
* Enhanced maternity package, so you truly enjoy this special time.
* Pension contribution, to help secure your future.
Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.
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