Band 8c - Head of Commercial Contract Lead, Pathology Business Unit

A Vacancy at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced commercial leader to join the Pathology Business Unit as Head of Commercial Contract Lead.

The post holder will provide strategic leadership and expert oversight of complex outsourced pathology contracts across Hertfordshire and West Essex, ensuring robust governance, contractual compliance, sustainable financial performance and value for money.

We are seeking a credible and influential leader with significant experience of high-value contracts, complex negotiation, financial management and working across organisational boundaries.

This is a 24-month fixed-term or secondment opportunity, working 37.5 hours per week.

The role will be based at Watford Hospital, with travel across Trust and partner sites as required.

The post holder will lead the management of the Pathology Services Agreement, Laboratory Services Agreement and Trust Services Agreement, acting as the principal commercial contact for the Contracting Authorities.

They will lead complex contract negotiations and amendments, monitor provider activity, finance, quality and key performance indicators, and ensure appropriate action is taken where performance falls below contractual requirements.

The role will provide senior commercial and financial advice, develop budgets, forecasts, business cases and long-term financial models, and present highly complex information to Boards, executives and system partners.

The successful candidate will bring strong strategic leadership, negotiation, analytical and stakeholder-management skills, with experience of managing high-value contracts and delivering transformation and financial improvement.

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The post holder will work with the outsourced Pathology Provider, partner Trusts, ICBs, commissioners, clinicians, Finance, Procurement, IT and operational teams to ensure effective delivery of pathology services.

Responsibilities include managing contractual performance and remedies; analysing activity, workload, pay and non-pay expenditure; explaining financial variances; supporting annual planning and forecasting; identifying and mitigating commercial, financial and service risks; and ensuring compliance with national, Trust, clinical and corporate governance requirements.

The role will chair performance meetings, produce reports and business cases, lead service improvement and change, and manage relevant pathology contract, performance and support teams. Core hours are 37.5 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, with flexibility to meet service requirements. On-call participation may be required subject to Trust arrangements.

This advert closes on Thursday 5 Nov 2026