Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead NHS partnerships and deliver exceptional Soft Facilities Management services.
- Company: Medirest, part of Compass Group UK&I, dedicated to improving healthcare environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, digital GP access, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in healthcare while leading high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in Soft FM contract management and strong commercial skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse workforce committed to inclusion and empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Medirest, we create environments where patients feel cared for, staff feel supported, and hospitals can thrive. We’re now seeking an experienced and commercially astute Contract Director to lead our NHS partnerships across Surrey. This is a senior, high-impact role where commercial performance meets real purpose. You’ll work closely with local NHS leaders to deliver exceptional Soft Facilities Management services — including cleaning, catering, portering and retail — while championing quality, compassion and the patient experience.
If you’re motivated by people, performance and making a meaningful difference in healthcare, this is a role where your leadership will truly shape outcomes.
The Role
As Contract Director, you will take full ownership of large and complex NHS contracts across Surrey, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and with genuine care. You’ll balance commercial success with outstanding operational delivery, building high-performing teams and trusted client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Leadership
- Drive strong financial performance across soft FM and retail operations
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and cost control
- Identify and maximise revenue opportunities while ensuring value for money
- Contract & Performance Management
- Oversee soft FM and retail contracts, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently achieved
- Maintain compliance with governance, quality and regulatory standards
- Operational Excellence
- Ensure day-to-day services meet the highest standards for safety, quality and customer experience
- Champion continuous improvement focused on patient care and staff wellbeing
- Stakeholder & Client Partnership
- Build trusted, collaborative relationships with NHS leaders, suppliers and internal teams across Surrey
- Act as a strategic partner aligned to client priorities and patient outcomes
- People & Culture
- Lead, inspire and develop senior management teams
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement
- Risk & Compliance
- Proactively identify and manage risks across service delivery, compliance and finance
- Ensure safe, secure and welcoming environments for patients, staff and visitors
About You
You are a confident, values-driven leader with strong commercial acumen and a passion for delivering outstanding healthcare services. You’ll bring:
- Proven senior leadership experience in Soft FM contract management (ideally within healthcare)
- Strong financial and commercial skills with a track record of driving performance
- Experience managing large, complex contracts and multi-disciplinary teams
- Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
- A customer-first mindset and genuine commitment to patient experience
- Strategic thinking and the ability to solve complex operational challenges
What We Offer
Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career Pathways and MyLearning development programmes
- Digital GP access for you and your immediate family
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and more
- Savings at major supermarkets
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Cashback rewards across a wide range of brands
- Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- The ability to share discounts with friends and family
About Medirest & Compass Group UK&I
At Compass Group UK&I, we believe everyone should feel valued, included and empowered to be their true self at work. We are proud of our diverse workforce and the meaningful impact our people make every day. Diversity is Our Strength — and our people are at the heart of what we do.
Contract Director in England employer: Chartwells - Independent
Contact Detail:
Chartwells - Independent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Director in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare and facilities management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Medirest and understanding their values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering exceptional patient care. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the culture!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you’ve driven performance and built high-performing teams in the past. We love hearing about your successes and how you can bring that to our NHS partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Medirest. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Director in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Contract Director role. Highlight your leadership in Soft FM and any relevant healthcare experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for healthcare and how your values align with ours at Medirest. We want to see your personality and motivation come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen and operational excellence. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells - Independent
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Contract Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to soft facilities management, such as SLAs, KPIs, and budgeting techniques. Be ready to discuss how you've driven financial performance in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to inspire and develop teams. Prepare to share specific instances where you’ve fostered a culture of accountability and engagement within your teams.
✨Understand the NHS Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges and priorities within the NHS, especially in Surrey. Being able to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation's mission.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this position involves working closely with NHS leaders and other stakeholders, practice your communication and negotiation skills. Think of ways to demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships and how you’ve successfully collaborated with various partners in the past.
