Job Description
National Contract Manager
Job Summary
As National Contract Manager, you will help NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) deliver safe, effective and high-quality facilities services that support our life-saving work across the UK. You will lead the management and improvement of national facilities management contracts, working with suppliers, colleagues and senior stakeholders to ensure services are compliant, cost-effective and meet the needs of our people and sites. Using your expertise, you will drive performance, manage risk and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. You will also play a key role in shaping and implementing future service contracts, helping NHSBT deliver lasting improvements for colleagues, donors and patients. This is an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful purpose, influence national services and continue to develop your expertise while supporting our commitment to being Caring, Expert and Quality in everything we do.
Main duties of the job
- Lead the management of national facilities management contracts, ensuring services are safe, compliant and deliver value for money.
- Drive supplier performance through effective governance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement activities.
- Support the delivery of high-quality environments that enable colleagues to provide vital services to donors, patients and partners.
- Oversee contract compliance, audits and assurance processes to manage risk and maintain service standards.
- Manage budgets, forecasting and commercial activities to ensure resources are used effectively.
- Contribute to the procurement, mobilisation and implementation of future facilities management contracts.
- Analyse performance, financial and operational data to provide clear insights and recommendations for improvement.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, technical specialists and senior stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
- Develop effective contract management processes, reporting tools and performance frameworks that support quality outcomes.
- Lead and support colleagues, creating a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.
Willingness to travel extensively across the UK including overnight stays where required, with appropriate prior notice.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- Significant post‑qualification experience in estates/FM contract management or similar, including PFI/TFM or complex multi‑site contracts.
- Track record of budget management, invoice validation, and delivering savings without compromising quality/compliance.
- Experience leading policy/service development across a department or directorate (frameworks, SOPs, dashboards).
- Working knowledge of statutory/HTM compliance areas relevant to E&F (e.g., PSSR/BCGA, WSP/Legionella, ventilation, fire safety, asbestos) and the role of AEs/Independent Advisors.
- Experience preparing and presenting board‑level reports with sensitive/contentious content.
Qualifications and Training
- Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering, estates/facilities, business, or related discipline.
- Specialist training in contract management/NEC/Standard NHS Contract, supplier relationship management, or equivalent CPD.
About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
What we offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
- Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59pm on Sunday 8th November 2026.
The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview. Interviews are anticipated to be held on Tuesday 24th / Wednesday 25th November – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact –
Name: Ella Smith
Job Title: Recruiter – Clinical Services, Quality & Finance
Contact Details: ella.smith@nhsbt.nhs.uk
