At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial and contract planning for NHS services, ensuring high-quality delivery.
- Company: Join NHS England, a leader in healthcare innovation and service delivery.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance and contract management, with strong teamwork abilities.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture focused on improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The South West Direct Commissioning Team are looking to appoint a highly motivated Planning and Contracts Lead on a fixed term or NHS secondment basis initially to 31st October 2026. The postholder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes Commissioning, Pharmacy, Business Intelligence, and Transformation, to ensure that the services NHS England commissions from providers are high quality, resilient, compliant with NHS England service specifications and deliver in line with financial and operational performance requirements.
The successful candidate will also work closely with our healthcare system partners to ensure aligned commissioning wherever possible. The postholder would be the finance lead for a portfolio of provider contracts across all areas of direct commissioning. In addition, the post holder will provide senior contract and performance support to programmes of work that are in place to support the integration of direct commissioning into local health care systems. The role would suit proactive team-players who are able to work both at detail level as well as strategically.
Key aspects of this role will be:
- Financial and contract planning, advice and reporting on direct commissioning budgets.
- Contract negotiation with providers, ensuring that the negotiating strategy is aligned with the regional and local system approach where appropriate.
- In-year contract management.
- Support the development, implementation and reporting of Improving Value schemes and programmes using benchmarking information and agreeing how these will be delivered.
- Supporting the completion of a range of regional monthly / quarterly / annual returns to the national team.
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
We lead the NHS in England by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference.
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care.
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation.
- Delivering value for money.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person. Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only; agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.
Planning and Contracts Lead | NHS England in Taunton employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
Contact Detail:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning and Contracts Lead | NHS England in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the NHS or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching NHS England's recent projects and initiatives. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you tailor your answers to align with their goals and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Planning and Contracts Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with a friend to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning and Contracts Lead | NHS England in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Planning and Contracts Lead. We want to see how you can contribute to our multidisciplinary team and support NHS England's goals.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: Since this role involves financial planning and contract management, be sure to emphasise any relevant experience you have in these areas. We’re looking for proactive team players who can handle both detail and strategy!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas effectively. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all the necessary information and helps us process your application smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Planning and Contracts Lead, you'll be dealing with budgets and financial reports. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Bring specific examples of how you’ve improved financial performance or negotiated contracts.
✨Understand the NHS Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges and changes within the NHS, especially regarding direct commissioning. Being able to discuss recent developments or policies will show that you're engaged and knowledgeable about the sector.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
This role requires collaboration with various teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully worked in multidisciplinary teams before. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with different stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
