Contracts Lead

Job Title: Contracts Lead Start Date: ASAP

Duration: 3 months (with possible extension) Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Pay: £41.25ph paid directly by the client Location: Croydon

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Contracts Lead to join our client on an interim basis. The successful candidate will lead a short-term review and optimisation project, analysing and renegotiating supplier contracts to generate cost efficiencies and improve strategic supplier relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contract Review & Analysis:
  • Conduct a full review of all GOLD (contracts > £250k p.a.) and SILVER (£50k–£250k p.a.) contracts.
  • Identify potential financial savings, inefficiencies, or duplication across the current portfolio.
• Negotiation Planning:
  • Create and deliver a contract rationalisation plan within the first 2 weeks, prioritising SILVER contracts.
  • Recommend whether to:
    • Cancel underperforming or redundant contracts.
    • Consolidate contracts with suppliers offering similar services (e.g. overlapping providers for patient communication).
    • Amend licensing agreements to achieve cost savings through:
      • Reduced license volumes.
      • Adjusted license types (e.g. enterprise-wide vs. user-based).
      • Leveraging banded volume pricing.
• Supplier Relationship & Strategy Review:
  • Evaluate strategic suppliers delivering services across multiple Directorates (e.g. CIVICA).
  • Develop recommendations for improved contract management and supplier performance tracking.

Focus Areas for Consolidation:

• Patient communications
• Text messaging platforms
• Business Intelligence (BI) tools
• Staff communication tools

Required Experience & Skills:

• Proven experience in contract review, negotiation, and consolidation at a senior level (preferably within the NHS or a large public sector organisation).
• Strong understanding of licensing models and cost optimisation.
• Experience working with cross-directorate suppliers and driving organisation-wide efficiencies.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outcomes at pace, particularly under a tight timeline for initial outputs.

Job reference number: YW-boOk