Are you a delivery focused leader who understands the realities of NHS contracting and can bring structure and control to a complex portfolio? If so, join Elysium Healthcare as the Director of Contracts, Tenders & Commissioning.
As the Director of Contracts, Tenders & Commissioning you’ll be accountable for the operational leadership, delivery and performance of Elysium Healthcare’s NHS and public sector contracting function across England and Wales.
This role provides end-to-end ownership of contract management, tender delivery and contractual performance, ensuring the organisation maintains strong commissioner confidence, delivers against contractual obligations, and secures sustainable, high-quality income.
Acting as the central point of control for all contractual activity, you’ll bring pace, structure and rigour to the function—leading a specialist team to deliver high-quality tenders, robust contract governance, and proactive performance management across all commissioned services.
While commissioner strategy and external market positioning are led by the Chief Commercial & Communications Officer and Business Development Directors, this role provides the executional engine, contractual expertise and operational grip required to translate strategy into delivery.
This is a hybrid role with travel to our offices in Borehamwood/Luton and travel to our services.
Key Responsibilities:
Contracts & Commissioning
- Lead the operational management of all NHS and Local Authority contracts
- Own complex contractual arrangements including block contracts, frameworks and spot purchasing
- Maintain clear oversight of income, activity, performance and contractual risk
- Support commercial negotiations, pricing and fee uplifts
Tenders & Bids
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of all tenders and bid submissions
- Build and embed a high‑performing, centralised bid function
- Ensure all bids are clinically credible and operationally deliverable
- Oversee mobilisation and post‑award contract finalisation
Performance & Governance
- Take ownership of contractual performance and compliance
- Lead contract variations, renewals and issue resolution
- Ensure audit readiness and robust governance across all services
Systems & Process
- Own and develop our contract management system (SpotDraft)
- Drive improvements in tracking, reporting and governance
- Establish a single source of truth for all contractual activity
Leadership
- Lead and develop a specialist contracts and tenders team
- Build a culture of accountability, pace and high standards
- Act as a trusted partner across Commercial, Finance and Operations
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Significant senior experience within mental health, neurological, learning disabilities, autism services and CYPMHS.
- Proven track record of leading and delivering NHS and Local Authority tenders in a complex, multi‑site environment.
- Strong working knowledge of NHS commissioning structures, including ICBs, Provider Collaboratives and procurement frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience of contract management, governance and performance oversight, including income and risk management.
- Experience leading and developing a specialist, high‑performing team.
- Highly organised, detail‑oriented and commercially astute, with the ability to operate at pace and maintain strong operational grip.
- Experience of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) and evolving NHS procurement landscape.
- Experience managing block contracts, regional commissioning arrangements and complex funding models.
- Familiarity with contract management systems (e.g. SpotDraft or equivalent).
- Execution‑focused leader with a strong bias for delivery and accountability.
- Brings structure, discipline and pace to complex operational environments.
- Confident operating with senior NHS stakeholders and internal executive teams.
- Able to balance detail with commercial oversight, ensuring nothing is missed while maintaining strategic alignment.
- Builds credibility through consistency, ownership and high‑quality outputs.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive Salary
- The equivalent of 30 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window.
- Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals
- Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely‑Vate; Your one‑stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub!
- Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work‑life balance
- Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts
- Life Assurance, for added peace of mind
- Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support.
- 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be
- Enhanced Maternity Package, so you can truly enjoy this special time
- Pension contribution, to help secure your future
About your next employer:
Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 90 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.
Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.
Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.
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