Deputy Director, NHS Standard Contract

The NHS England Finance and Planning Directorate is now recruiting for the role of Deputy Director NHS Standard Contract. This is a fantastic opportunity to be at the heart of work to support the NHS. We: work closely with government to agree NHS funding and work to ensure the NHS lives within its annual budget; decide how to distribute the funding to the different NHS services and parts of England; explore how the NHS can make the best use of its money; consider how nationally we use these resources to improve healthcare outcomes, reduce inequality, improve health and support the NHS.

As the Deputy Director responsible for the NHS Standard Contract you will:

• Lead the annual revision of the NHS Standard Contract, supporting documents and guidance to deliver a robust framework for commissioning services reflecting current NHS policy whilst meeting legislative and legal requirements
• Develop innovative contract forms to support the latest policy requirements, including for Integrated Health Organisations (IHOs) and Multi-Neighbourhood Providers (MHPs)
• Lead the design and delivery of training and practical support for commissioners and providers in relation to the NHS Standard Contract and any innovative forms
• Manage the delivery of Who Pays? Guidance and support, including approval of arbitration outcomes.

The team works on complex, high-profile projects. This requires adaptability, rigor and innovation. Below are the types of skills and experience that we are looking for. Even if you feel you only meet some of the criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Key Skills And Experience

• Experience in healthcare commissioning, contracting and in particular in the use of the NHS Standard Contract
• A clear understanding of the principles of contract law and contract management
• Significant leadership and management experience that will allow you to engage with leadership across NHS England and the wider NHS
• Excellent communication and drafting skills, and the ability to work in a politically sensitive environment
• A strong, experience-based understanding of the operational structure of the NHS and the ways of commissioning healthcare services

NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS. Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms — enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.

If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices. Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

For further details / informal visits contact:

Name: Sarah Dobbing
Job title: Director of Planning
Email address: sarah.dobbing@nhs.net
Telephone number: 01234567890