Head of Contracts-Special Projects in Leeds

A unique role, based in the award-winning Procurement function within Leeds Teaching Hospitals, providing leadership to all Trust wide strategic procurements. We are looking for an individual who can take ownership of the programme of strategic procurement opportunities, shaping the way we work and deliver benefits and improvements in the way we work to support our ambitions to deliver greater efficiencies for the Trust and support the service provided to patients.

We are looking for an individual with drive and ambition to deliver our goals and change our current ways of working to improve how we procure Strategic Trust wide requirements for example clinical systems and building developments. You will be highly motivated with the ability to work with a range of people across multiple departments, taking ideas and opportunities and delivering results both in terms of efficiencies but also process improvements. You will not be afraid to challenge the status quo and have a track record of building engagement and trust to deliver change.

Working highly autonomously, managing a number of projects yourself and supporting the Procurement team to deliver a wider programme of work, you will be part of the senior management team within Leeds and work alongside Procurement leaders across West Yorkshire. Expert Level knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 is required.

Main duties of the job

Why you should join our Team: The Procurement and Supplies function comprises Supply Chain, Digital, eProcurement, Warehousing & Logistics, Contracting and Scan4Safety. The department strongly encourages development of its staff members to progress in their careers and as a senior manager, you would be expected to nurture this growth and development in your colleagues. We are a diverse team and pride ourselves on inclusivity. We are a Neuroinclusive workplace, please let us know if any adjustments would enable you to thrive.

This is a hybrid role, based out of our offices in Leeds, 3 days/week, you may be required to travel to across sites in the West Yorkshire region. A laptop will be provided. The role is Mon-Friday, 37.5 hrs/week. Standard 27 days Annual Leave/year plus Bank Holidays. NHS pension, NHS staff discounts.

What you will bring to the role:

• Expert-level knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, with proven ability to interpret, translate and implement statutory requirements into practical, compliant procurement frameworks.
• Strategic leadership of procurement compliance, ensuring organisational readiness for regulatory change and continuous alignment with evolving legislation.
• Proven track record in embedding governance, transparency and audit-ready processes across complex contract portfolios.
• Ability to design and implement compliant procurement strategies, including competitive tendering, direct awards, and contract management frameworks.
• Strong understanding of public sector procurement principles, including value for money, fairness, equality, and non-discrimination.
• Experience developing policies, procedures and guidance that operationalise the Procurement Act 2023 across an organisation.
• Confident in advising senior stakeholders and Boards on risk, compliance obligations, and procurement strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and mitigate procurement risk, including legal, financial, and reputational exposure.
• Skilled in supplier relationship management and performance oversight, ensuring compliance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Experience leading internal and external audits, investigations, and compliance reviews.
• Ability to drive a culture of compliance and continuous improvement through training, coaching, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance compliance requirements with operational efficiency and service delivery outcomes.
• Highly effective communicator, capable of translating complex legislation into clear, actionable guidance for non-specialists.
• Experience working within regulated environments (e.g. NHS/public sector) with a strong understanding of governance frameworks.

About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust: Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are: Patient-centred, Collaborative, Fair, Accountable, Empowered. All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values. We’re committed to recruiting exceptional people to deliver outstanding services across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and helping every colleague reach their full potential.

Sponsorship Eligibility: To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application.

Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.

Person Specification: Disclosure and Barring Service Check. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.