Deputy Director - Contracting, Business Development and Procurement in Essex

Job summaryBand 8d (subject to confirmation)We are seeking an ambitious, commercially astute Deputy Director to provide senior leadership across procurement, contracting, contract management, business development and commercial governance.As deputy to the Director, you will turn strategy into delivery, lead complex commercial activity and help develop a modern, responsive and high-performing function. You will oversee procurement pipelines, negotiations, strategic supplier relationships, commercial risk, change control and assurance, including a significant commercial leadership role supporting NOVA.You will build strong relationships across the Trust and with NHS partners, commissioners, advisers and suppliers, while developing team capability and creating a supportive, inclusive and high-performing commercial culture.You will bring substantial senior experience in procurement, contracting and commercial services, including complex procurement, negotiations, governance, risk and leadership of professional teams. MCIPS or equivalent experience is required.We are looking for someone who combines sound judgement and commercial credibility with the confidence to challenge, develop others and turn complex issues into action. Main duties of the jobThe Deputy Director of Contracting, Business Development and Procurement will provide senior leadership and operational management for the Trust's integrated commercial function, encompassing procurement, contracting and contract management, business development, and commercial governance.About usValuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.Benefits27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join usSeason ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.Work that wraps around your needsJob share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.DetailsDate posted10 November 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8dSalary 94,356 to 108,814 a year per annum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number364-B-622Job locationsThe LodgeWickfordSS11 7XXUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe postholder will act as deputy to the Director of Contracting, Business Development and Procurement, providing leadership and continuity across the directorate and deputising for the Director as required.The role will translate the Trust's commercial strategy into operational delivery, ensuring that teams, resources and priorities are effectively managed; procurement and contracting activity is compliant and commercially robust; commercial opportunities are appropriately assessed; and the Trust has effective assurance over its commercial activities.The postholder will have a significant leadership role in the NOVA programme, providing senior commercial oversight of relevant contracts, procurement, supplier relationships, commercial risk, change control and assurance.The postholder will ensure the Directorate operates as a coordinated, high-performing function with clear priorities, effective workforce planning, appropriate controls, measurable performance and a strong focus on value for money. Job description Job responsibilitiesThe postholder will act as deputy to the Director of Contracting, Business Development and Procurement, providing leadership and continuity across the directorate and deputising for the Director as required.The role will translate the Trust's commercial strategy into operational delivery, ensuring that teams, resources and priorities are effectively managed; procurement and contracting activity is compliant and commercially robust; commercial opportunities are appropriately assessed; and the Trust has effective assurance over its commercial activities.The postholder will have a significant leadership role in the NOVA programme, providing senior commercial oversight of relevant contracts, procurement, supplier relationships, commercial risk, change control and assurance.The postholder will ensure the Directorate operates as a coordinated, high-performing function with clear priorities, effective workforce planning, appropriate controls, measurable performance and a strong focus on value for money.Person Specification Qualifications & Professional Development EssentialDegree-level education with MCIPS or equivalent professional qualification; Master's degree or equivalent knowledge/experience; relevant continuing professional development; relevant postgraduate and project/programme management qualifications Senior Leadership & People Management EssentialSubstantial senior leadership experience in procurement, contracting, commercial services or a comparable discipline in a large complex organisation, including managing multidisciplinary teams and senior managers, developing people and organisational capability Strategic Procurement EssentialExtensive strategic procurement experience covering complex, high-value and/or high-risk procurement, with expert knowledge of strategic procurement, public-sector procurement requirements, the Provider Selection Regime and Procurement Act Contract, Commercial & Supplier Management EssentialExtensive experience and expert knowledge of complex contract management, commercial negotiation and strategically significant supplier relationship management Governance, Assurance & Risk EssentialExperience establishing governance, assurance and commercial control frameworks, together with strong commercial and contractual risk management knowledge and experience Strategic Management & Executive Advice EssentialExperience providing authoritative advice to Executive Directors and senior governance forums, managing competing priorities and deploying resources across a complex portfolio Value, Efficiency & Improvement EssentialEvidence of delivering efficiencies, value for money and measurable improvements NHS Commercial & Commissioning Experience EssentialSenior NHS commercial/procurement experience, including provider tenders, commissioning environments, NHS provider and commissioning arrangements, governance and financial controls Business Development & Collaborative Working EssentialKnowledge of business development and bid governance methodologies, with experience working collaboratively across organisational and professional boundaries Leadership Qualities, Values & Mobility EssentialCredible and commercially astute senior leader who can balance pace, compliance, risk and value; decisive, accountable, resilient and calm under pressure; demonstrates professional integrity and EPUT values; able to travel across Trust sites Person Specification Qualifications & Professional Development EssentialDegree-level education with MCIPS or equivalent professional qualification; Master's degree or equivalent knowledge/experience; relevant continuing professional development; relevant postgraduate and project/programme management qualifications Senior Leadership & People Management EssentialSubstantial senior leadership experience in procurement, contracting, commercial services or a comparable discipline in a large complex organisation, including managing multidisciplinary teams and senior managers, developing people and organisational capability Strategic Procurement EssentialExtensive strategic procurement experience covering complex, high-value and/or high-risk procurement, with expert knowledge of strategic procurement, public-sector procurement requirements, the Provider Selection Regime and Procurement Act Contract, Commercial & Supplier Management EssentialExtensive experience and expert knowledge of complex contract management, commercial negotiation and strategically significant supplier relationship management Governance, Assurance & Risk EssentialExperience establishing governance, assurance and commercial control frameworks, together with strong commercial and contractual risk management knowledge and experience Strategic Management & Executive Advice EssentialExperience providing authoritative advice to Executive Directors and senior governance forums, managing competing priorities and deploying resources across a complex portfolio Value, Efficiency & Improvement EssentialEvidence of delivering efficiencies, value for money and measurable improvements NHS Commercial & Commissioning Experience EssentialSenior NHS commercial/procurement experience, including provider tenders, commissioning environments, NHS provider and commissioning arrangements, governance and financial controls Business Development & Collaborative Working EssentialKnowledge of business development and bid governance methodologies, with experience working collaboratively across organisational and professional boundaries Leadership Qualities, Values & Mobility EssentialCredible and commercially astute senior leader who can balance pace, compliance, risk and value; decisive, accountable, resilient and calm under pressure; demonstrates professional integrity and EPUT values; able to travel across Trust sitesDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer nameEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressThe LodgeWickfordSS11 7XXUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressThe LodgeWickfordSS11 7XXUnited KingdomEmployer's website