Brokerage Manager

We Do Social Work; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Nottinghamshire County Council is seeking an experienced Brokerage Manager to lead its Adult Social Care Brokerage function. You will manage a large team, oversee sourcing and negotiation of care packages, and ensure timely, compliant placements while achieving value for money.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic commissioning insight and the ability to work with providers, commissioners and operational teams.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in adult social care brokerage or related commissioning.
• In-depth knowledge of Care Act 2014 and safeguarding principles.
• Experience with procurement and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Brokerage team with clear direction and coaching.
• Oversee sourcing, negotiation and commissioning of care packages.
• Ensure placements meet timescales, budgets and procurement rules.
• Maintain relationships with care providers and external stakeholders.
• Benchmark provider fees to secure value for money.
• Monitor compliance, safeguarding and contract performance.

Skills

Leadership and people management

Negotiation

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Educated to A-Level/NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in Business Administration or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Teams

Job description

Brokerage Manager

Organisation: Nottinghamshire County Council

Department: Adult Social Care and Health

Rate: £400–£500 per day

Role Purpose

Nottinghamshire County Council is seeking an experienced Brokerage Manager to lead and oversee its Adult Social Care Brokerage function. The role is responsible for managing a large team, ensuring care packages and placements are sourced and negotiated in a timely, compliant and outcomes-focused manner while achieving value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Brokerage team, providing clear direction, supervision, coaching and professional guidance.
• Oversee the sourcing, negotiation and commissioning of care packages and placements in line with individual care and support plans.
• Ensure packages are arranged within agreed timescales, personal budgets and Council procurement requirements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with care providers, operational teams, commissioners and external stakeholders.
• Negotiate and benchmark provider fees and rates to secure quality services and value for money.
• Act as the main escalation point for complex brokerage cases, provider capacity issues and service concerns.
• Promote strength-based approaches by identifying local services, community resources and alternative support opportunities.
• Monitor provider availability, quality, safeguarding concerns and contractual compliance.
• Use market intelligence and brokerage data to inform commissioning strategies and market development.
• Produce reports and financial information to support commissioning reviews and budget forecasting.
• Support the Council in managing its external provider expenditure of approximately £480 million.
• Ensure accurate records, financial information and placement documentation are maintained through systems including Mosaic.
• Attend operational panels, provider forums and regional partnership meetings.
• Promote continuous improvement, effective communication and high standards of customer service.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure care packages reflect assessed needs and agreed care and support plans.
• Maintain efficient brokerage processes, quality assurance systems and accurate provider information.
• Ensure placements meet financial, procurement, audit and contractual requirements.
• Provide timely information to service users, families, advocates, operational teams and providers.
• Monitor team performance, resources and service delivery.
• Escalate safeguarding, quality, financial and performance concerns appropriately.
• Develop staff competence and maintain strong provider and stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrate value for money across all commissioned care and support arrangements.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience in adult social care brokerage, commissioning, placements or a related service.
• Understanding of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and adult safeguarding legislation.
• Knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and social care quality monitoring.
• Understanding of strategic commissioning, contract monitoring and provider management.
• Knowledge of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and partnership working.
• Experience using social care case management systems, ideally Mosaic.
• Strong financial, commercial and negotiation skills.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
• Educated to A-Level/NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance or a related area, or substantial relevant experience.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership, team management and staff development skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to analyse and present complex financial and performance information.
• Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making and service improvement skills.
• Commitment to equality, customer service and person-centred outcomes.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development