Job Title:Senior Finance Contracts Manager

Job Description

Job reference:CMP022

Team:Greater Manchester Team, Contract Management & Performance

Band:7

Responsible to:Head of Contract Management & Performance or Associate Head of Contract Management & Performance

Accountable to:Director of Operations

Location/base: The main base of the GM Shared Service is Ellen House, Oldham, OL9 6EE, however, the post holder may be required to work at other locations as appropriate.

Job Purpose

The Contract Management & Performance (CM&P) product is delivered via a number of teams who are allocated a portfolio of providers (from small scale organisations and independent contractors through to large NHS Foundation Trusts) to manage in terms of their contracted levels of expenditure, contractual quality issues and performance delivery.

The CM&P team covers all contracted providers of healthcare under a standard NHS contract, and delivers services to our customers in line with agreed service specifications. We do not manage any non-healthcare contracts.

As Senior Finance ContractsManager, you will have two main areas of responsibility:

You will have specific responsibilities as part of a specific Contract Management team. These duties will be allocated to you by the Team Leader and will likely include supporting robust contract and performance management of your team’s contractual portfolio and assurance of delivery for the customer in line with agreed service specifications.
Working with your Team Leader and or members of the Senior Management Team you will be given responsibility for delivering a GM wide finance support service to areas of contracting or performance management/intervention and thus support CM&P in its corporate role within the GM Shared Service.

Broken down, the following three areas describe the purpose of the job:

Contracting

Annual contract negotiation and documentation – assist the Head of Contract Management and the Associate Heads of Contract Management to support CCGs in translating their commissioning intentions and priorities into signed contracts that meet national and local requirements, including financial and quality parameters.

Working to contracted terms and conditions, you will support regular performance review meetings with providers to support the Associate Head of Contract Management in leading the effective management of quality and performance to secure the planned delivery of national and local performance targets and quality indicators and to support the developmental agenda.

Monthly contract monitoring and management - support the management of the contract portfolio on behalf of CCGs so that the CCGs business and strategic objectives are met by:
Monitoring performance against contractual targets and the wider performance metrics;
Monitor contract compliance ensuring early diagnosis of issues and timely, effective intervention to ensure that contractual plans and targets are delivered and risk assessments undertaken.
To assist in the development of robust systems of contract performance management that enables activity and finance expenditure to be specified, measured and monitored, and to ensure that appropriate management action is taken to secure the effective delivery of services that represent value for money without compromising quality of care.
Work closely with other members of the contractual team to identify contractual pressure points and advise on proposed actions.

Support CCG Risk and Complaints Managers (or GMSS staff working on behalf of CCGs) on investigations into serious patient/clinical incidents and resulting recommended actions, which fall within the commissioning responsibility and ensure appropriate reporting to other agencies.
Support externally driven audits and reviews, as appropriate are carried out, reported and acted on and reported accordingly.

Undertake other duties not specified within the Job Description but within the general scope of the post as determined by the Head of Contract Management or line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.

Finance Management and Reporting

Leads the monitoring and reporting on the performance of a range of service agreements/contracts, liaising with other Finance/contracting/information staff when required. The post holder will be responsible for reviewing monthly financial information and updating Contract leads on areas of concern through exercising judgement, using experience and guided by accountancy principles.
The post holder will need to work in partnership and collaboration with a wide range of multi-disciplinary colleagues, both inside and outside GMSS (in addition to the attendance at formal CCG meetings, Clinical Groups etc.), in order to fulfil the duties.
Develop and maintain an ‘expert’ knowledge of the SLA Monitoring (SLAM) system and Secondary Users Service (SUS).
Support the Contract Leader in providing financial advice / expertise in relation to the National Tariff Payments System (PbR). Lead the development and continuous improvement of reporting, monitoring and forecasting procedures for CM&P in order to meet the needs of the organisation.
Exercise judgement and initiative within the scope of the role when problems arise and take appropriate action to resolve areas of concern, or raise with the appropriate contract manager as appropriate.
To support Contract Managers to manage and review performance for contracts held by CCGs across Greater Manchester.

Finance & Contracting Planning

Under direction of the Contract Manager, lead in the development and maintenance of a system to support the delivery of appropriate level benchmarking data related to both secondary care and other activity.Undertake routine analysis of how income and expenditure compare through appropriate benchmarking to make recommendations on future requirements and funding to deliver the organisation’s objectives.
Develop and maintain a level of knowledge of the National Tariff Payments System appropriate to the role. Support the Contract Manager in the interpretation of the relevant guidance and be able to deal with internal and external queries appropriately and promptly, referring them to others when required.
Provides advice on National and local tariffs and understands and advises commissioners on basic cost/price information. This will include the sharing of information with colleagues and the training of staff to develop their knowledge and understanding.
To assist the Contract Manager in the proposing and drafting of contracts, contract variations, implementation plans and interpretation of policies, guidelines and service level agreements in relation to contracts.
Assist in the preparation and submission of data related to secondary care Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
Encourage co-operative working across the finance and contracts team sharing information and best practice to achieve effective use of resources and to enhance productivity.
Responsible for prioritising own work and adhering to all monthly timetables and deadlines.
Aware of the importance of patient confidentiality and ensures that all patient data / information is handled appropriately.
The post holder will be required to interpret and relay complex information to clinicians and non-finance managers both internal and external, which can be contentious and require negotiation.

Other key areas:

Key working relationships

The post holder will be required to work alongside the following posts, organisations or groups:

Contract Management & Performance department, including the Head and Associate Heads of the department
Internal departments within GM Shared Services, including Finance teams
All twelve Greater Manchester CCGs, including Finance Teams / representatives
GM Contract Steering Group
GM Finance Sub Group
Any other relevant group, whether regular or ad hoc / newly established

Communication

The post holder must be able to establish and maintain working relationships, and gain the cooperation of others, using key skills to motivate, negotiate, persuade, empathise and communicate information reassuringly
Presentation of highly complex and potentially sensitive information to a wide range of stakeholders in formal and informal settings
Where relevant the post holder should be able to formally and informally train others, advising on best practice in relation to finance and proposing solutions to problems

Analytical and judgement Skills

Analyse, compare, contrast and benchmark highly complex financial information, synthesising the key points and making recommendations based on this analysis to go to key stakeholders and groups across Greater Manchester

Planning and Organising

To plan and organise own work schedule and those staff who report to the role to ensure that activities are completed within agreed timescales to deliver an effective and efficient service.

Strategy/Policy/Service Development and Implementation

Responsible for own compliance with relevant CSU policies and procedures.
Implement policies for own work area and proposes policy or service changes which impact beyond own area of activity.

Responsibilities for physical and financial resources

Careful use, scrutiny and maintenance of physical and financial resources
The post holder may be required to assist in setting budgets, deal with invoice payments, debits and credits and advise on income generation

Leadership/Management and Human Resource Management

To line manage identified members of the contract team, and provide professional guidance and supervision as required.
Forge positive working relationships, both across the CSU, CCGs and with other external organisations.
Undertake CSU internal mandatory training sessions e.g. Child and Adult Safeguarding, Information Governance, Equality and Diversity, Risk Management, Fire training, etc.
Recognise own on-going training needs to develop existing skills, build on existing knowledge and further career and communicate these to the line manager

Information resources

Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information, including presenting information to a wide range of stakeholders in formal and informal settings
Post holder must adhere to Information Governance regulations where applicable

Freedom to Act

The role requires an ability to work on own initiative and to act independently within appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines, the post holder will need to establish the way in which these should be interpreted.
Implements policies within their own area and proposes changes to policies and procedures that impact other areas.
Work is managed through agreed objectives.

Corporate Responsibilities

As a senior representative ofGMSS you will be expected:

Promote GMSS’s vision, and mission and to uphold GMSS’s values in all day to day activities and delivery of services;

Participate in the objective setting process as part of the annual Performance Development Review/appraisal process, to understand how own role and objectives are linked to team, directorate and corporate objectives, to review what aspects of your role are being done well, and to identify any areas for development.

Undertake relevant activities and mandatory training to meet objectives identified in Personal Development Plan.

Adhere to all GMSS policies and guidelines, including HR, Information Governance, Risk Management and Health & Safety policies.

Comply with relevant GMSS and own professional codes of conduct and accountability.

Maintain professional registration if this is a requirement of the job.

Carry out your duties in a way that supports equality and values diversity. This responsibility includes your actions in relation to service users, carers, work colleagues, people in other organisations and members of the public.

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation the post holder is required to undertake a proactive role in the management of risks in all their actions. This includes:

Undertaking risk assessments in line with GMSS risk assessment process;
Reporting all incidents, near misses and hazards in line with GMSS’s reporting arrangements/system
Undertaking a statutory duty of care for your own personal safety and that of others
Attending all statutory and mandatory health and safety training, appropriate to the role

Maintain the security and confidentiality of information you come across in your role in GMSS in line with GMSS policies and protocols..

All employees have a responsibility to protect and safeguard vulnerable people (children and adults). They must be aware of child and adult protection procedures and who to contact withinGMSS for further advice. All employees are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and to undertake additional training appropriate to their role.

To carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance withGMSS’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights policies, avoiding unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and all other stakeholders. To promote awareness of and respect for Equality, Diversity and Human Rights in accordance with GMSS policies and procedures.

To undertake Equality Analysis and any related training, as required in accordance with the duties of the post and the relevant GMSS policies and procedures.

The job description and person specification are an outline of the main tasks, responsibilities and requirements of the role. The post holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager commensurate with the band of the post. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the GMSS.

Post Holder: ……………………………………….. Date: ………………

Signed………………………………………………..Date…………………

Manager:

Signed………………………………………………..Date…………………

Alison Deveney v1.0 03.06.2016

Person Specification

Senior Finance Contracts Manager

AfCBand 7

Please refer to this document carefully when completing your application form and preparing for your interview. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria marked ‘A’ on your application form.

Criteria / Description / Essential / Desirable / Method of Assessment
Professional Registration / Studying towards a Professional Accounting Qualification and membership of a relevant professional body (CCAB or CIMA)/ CCAB or CIMA part qualified / √ / A/C
Qualifications / Educated to degree level or equivalent or equivalent professional qualification. (E.g. Information Management, Contract or Business Management)
Postgraduate Management Diploma or equivalent / √ / √ / A/C
A/I
Knowledge and Experience / Experience of working within an NHS finance department
Experience of computerised financial systems
Thorough understanding of accounting principles and practice
Knowledge of NHS financial accounting systems and practices including National Tariff Payments System PbR
Knowledge of the SLA Monitoring (SLAM) system and Secondary Users Service (SUS)
Experience of successful management of a contract, including negotiation
Extensive NHS commissioning experience including negotiations with providers in relation to contracting, performance or quality issues
Knowledge of all types of NHS contracts with specialist knowledge of at least one area such as Standard NHS contracts or primary care contracts
Knowledge of quality and performance management techniques as they apply to healthcare providers / √
√
√
√
√ / √
√
√
√ / A/I
A/I
A/IA/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Communication skills / Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate on highly complex matters and difficult situations.
Ability to provide and receive, convey and present highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information to large groups, responding openly to questions to ensure full understanding and engagement.
Ability to communicate with all levels of staff effectively.
Ability to negotiate on difficult and very complex and detailed issues.
Ability to work under pressure in a busy working environment and able to multi-task.
Effective team working. / √
√
√
√
√
√ / A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Analytical / Ability to analyse complex data, situations and develop a range of options based on factual information.
Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action.
Demonstrate sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management where appropriate.
Ability to work across a portfolio of health contracts managing both providers, commissioners and other 3rd parties such as NSHE and the DH this requires complex analysis of conflicting situations such as financial, quality, and guidance to arrive at providing a range of suitable options for all stakeholders. / √
√
√
√ / A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Planning Skills / Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
Works with colleagues to develop performance improvement plans.
Good use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning. / √
√
√ / A/I
A/I
A/I
Management Skills / Experience of direct line management and job management.
Deliver results through managing others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management.
Managing relationships with a range of different stakeholders. / √ / √
√ / A/I
A/I
A/I
Autonomy / Ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary working to tight and changing deadlines.
Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues. / √
√ / A/I
A/I
Equality and Diversity / Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. / √ / A/I
Other / An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.
Professional, calm and efficient manner.
Commitment to continuing professional development.
Positive and flexible approach to work.
Determination, perseverance and resilience.
There is a frequent requirement of prolonged concentration to meet targets and deadlines / √
√
√
√
√
√ / A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
*Method of Assessment:
A=Application form I=Interview P= Presentation T=Test C=Certificate AC = Assessment Centre

*Where stated ‘Car owner/driver essential’ is subject to the provisions of the Equality Act (2010)

Please insert name of person who developed person specification and date

Alison Deveney v1.0 03.06.2016