At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost improvement initiatives and negotiate better contracts for NHS providers.
- Company: Join Attain, a values-driven consultancy making a real impact in the NHS.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic, fast-paced work environment with clear paths for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a difference in healthcare while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial roles with a focus on delivering savings.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The NHS is operating under sustained financial pressure, with an increasing need to deliver material, recurrent savings while maintaining service quality and patient outcomes. NHS organisations require senior commercial expertise to identify cost improvement opportunities, challenge existing contractual arrangements and secure better value from third-party spend. This role offers the opportunity to lead and deliver high-impact cost improvement activity within NHS providers.
You will work closely with executive teams and stakeholders to identify opportunities, apply commercial levers and negotiate improved contractual outcomes, delivering tangible, measurable savings for the NHS.
Why join Attain
Attain offers a genuinely different proposition to traditional consultancies. We are a values-led organisation with a strong mix of public sector values and private sector thinking. A high proportion of our people have worked directly within the NHS, giving us real credibility with clients. Our teams work shoulder-to-shoulder with long-term NHS partners to deliver tangible savings, improve services and make a lasting impact. We are deeply people-focused, investing heavily in career development, learning and leadership, with clear opportunities to progress within our business and into senior roles leading projects, care sectors or portfolios. As a growing business, Attain offers exposure to varied, high-impact work, meaningful responsibility, and the chance to shape how we operate. We reward contribution and performance, foster a supportive and inclusive culture, and place real value on doing the right thing, for our people, our clients and the communities they serve.
The role
In this role you will be responsible for:
- Delivering cost improvement savings within NHS providers, with a focus on contract and third-party spend
- Working at pace to deliver an agreed savings target - normally in a pressurised “turnaround” environment - with a clear Return on Investment (ROI) expectation from your individual role.
- Identifying, quantifying and prioritising cost improvement opportunities
- Applying commercial levers, negotiation strategies and market insight to secure improved value for money
- Leading commercial strategies, such as contract rationalisation / demand management / price-volume / indexation review / benchmarking
- Reviewing contracts to identify saving opportunities, commercial risk and optimisation potential
- Engaging confidently with executive leaders, including Directors of Finance and senior operational leaders
- Operating with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to wider Attain delivery teams
- Operating effectively in hybrid environments, with regular on-site presence on client sites
Skills and ways of working
You will demonstrate:
- A strong focus on delivery of measurable savings.
- Taking accountability for personal savings targets and those of team members
- Confidence in commercial negotiation and influencing senior stakeholders
- Ability to analyse contracts, financial data and commercial arrangements
- Resilience and adaptability in turnaround and recovery environments
- Clear, confident communication skills, including at executive level
Stakeholder engagement
You will work closely with:
- Clinical leaders
- Executive and senior management teams (including Directors of Finance)
- Organisational stakeholders (including finance, procurement and operational colleagues)
Building trust, credibility and alignment will be central to your success.
The working environment
The role will be in an NHS provider. The working environment is:
- Fast-paced, dynamic and often pressurised
- Frequently operating in turnaround or recovery contexts
- Highly accountable, with clear expectations around ROI and impact
- Requires resilience, adaptability and pace
About you
Your current role You will bring:
- A strong track record of delivering savings within NHS providers
- Significant experience in managing contract spend, cost improvement or commercial roles
- Confidence operating autonomously while contributing to team delivery
- Experience of influencing and negotiating; delivering better pricing, performance or improved terms
- A clear personal track record of ROI and impact
- Operating within a clear governance structure
- Ability to prioritise to maximise benefits for clients
Your achievements
Successful candidates will be able to evidence:
- Delivery of material, quantifiable savings (in excess of £2m per annum)
- Success in identifying, quantifying and prioritising cost improvement opportunities
- Ability to understand, interpret and amend commercial agreements
- Successfully analysing complex financial information to identify opportunities
- Success in challenging existing commercial arrangements
- Strong negotiation skills and delivering outcomes against demanding targets to time
- Effective Executive-level influence, engagement and reporting
Your career background
We are looking for candidates who have:
- 10+ years’ relevant experience
- A finance and/or commercial background
- Varied experience across public and private sectors
- Proven delivery in commercial or cost improvement roles
- A strong understanding of contractual and commercial drivers
Your personal attributes
You will be:
- Aligned to Attain’s values-led culture
- Highly accountable for your own ROI and driven by results
- Driven to make savings and improve services
- Dynamic and able to re-prioritise opportunities
- Confident and skilled negotiator
- Analytical, commercially astute and outcome-focused
The benefits
Competitive salary, performance/profit-based annual bonus of circa 10%, 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays on top, 6% employer contribution pension scheme, company-paid subscription to a professional body, hybrid working but also opportunities to work in coworking spaces, a suite of learning tools to support continuing professional development, and experience a rich variety of delivery projects across different care areas.
At Attain our culture and company values promote a supportive and inclusive environment where our employees’ differences are nurtured to enable everyone to reach their full potential. We are committed to a culture where respect and understanding is fostered, and the diversity of people's backgrounds and circumstances are positively valued as they enable Attain to continually bring creativity and innovation to our clients' work and internally. Our recruitment process reflects this commitment, focusing on skills, capabilities, and experience to ensure fairness and equity at every step.
Associate Director Cost Improvement – Contract Spend employer: Attain
Attain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact in the NHS sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide clear progression paths and generous benefits, including bonuses and ample leave, all while promoting a collaborative culture that values innovation and teamwork. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, ensuring you can balance your professional and personal life effectively while contributing to vital healthcare improvements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director Cost Improvement – Contract Spend
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Attain. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director Cost Improvement – Contract Spend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Attain.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Attain's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Attain
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Attain.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Attain will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Attain employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
