Commissioning Lead - Children’s Services

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset Council is seeking a Commissioning Lead to shape and transform services for children, young people and families across Dorset. You will lead strategic commissioning, use data to steer priorities, and build strong partnerships with schools, health colleagues, police and voluntary sector partners to deliver sustainable solutions.

You will influence service design and market development while driving innovative approaches that improve outcomes and value for money.

Qualifications

• Degree or professional qualification or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in commissioning, transformation, or service improvement.
• Experience building partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong project and programme management background.
• Financial and budget management experience.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Knowledge of public sector commissioning and related legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning projects from inception to delivery and evaluation.
• Use data and evidence to identify needs and shape priorities.
• Develop commissioning strategies, business cases and service improvement plans.
• Build relationships with providers, partners and stakeholders.
• Support market development for high-quality, cost-effective provision.
• Embed robust project management across programmes to meet outcomes and budgets.
• Manage risk, governance and compliance throughout the cycle.
• Engage children, young people, families and partners in design and improvement of services.
• Present recommendations to senior leaders and decision-makers.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Delivery focus

Data-driven decision making

Communication and engagement

Partnership building

Project and programme management

Analytical skills

Risk and governance

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

Tools

Governance frameworks

Job description

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of services for children, young people and families across Dorset. As a Commissioning Lead, you will be part of a service that is ambitious about improving outcomes, promoting early help, and ensuring children have the opportunity to thrive, be happy and achieve their full potential.

This Role Offers The Chance To

• Lead strategically significant transformation programmes that improve the lives of children and young people across Dorset.
• Influence service design, commissioning strategies and market development across complex service areas.
• Work in partnership with schools, health colleagues, police, voluntary sector organisations and communities to create sustainable solutions that meet local needs.
• Drive innovation and challenge traditional ways of working to deliver better outcomes and value for money.
• Be part of a culture that values curiosity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to Dorset's ongoing transformation journey as we shift towards earlier intervention, co-production with families and place-based service delivery.

If you are motivated by making a tangible difference and want to see the direct impact of your work on services and communities, this role offers a unique opportunity to influence system-wide change.

As a Commissioning Lead, you will provide strategic leadership and specialist expertise to develop, commission and transform services that deliver positive outcomes for children, young people and families.

You Will

• Lead commissioning projects from inception through to delivery and evaluation.
• Use data, intelligence and evidence to identify need, shape priorities and support strategic decision making.
• Develop commissioning strategies, business cases and service improvement plans that maximise impact and value.
• Build strong relationships with providers, partners and stakeholders to influence change and develop effective services.
• Support market development activity to ensure the availability of high-quality, sustainable and cost-effective provision.
• Lead and embed robust project management approaches, ensuring programmes are delivered on time, within budget and achieve intended outcomes.
• Manage risk, governance and compliance requirements throughout the commissioning cycle.
• Engage children, young people, families and partners in the design and improvement of services.
• Present recommendations and service improvement proposals to senior leaders and key decisionmakers.

About You

We're looking for an experienced commissioning, transformation or service improvement professional who can think strategically while maintaining a strong focus on delivery and outcomes.

You Will Bring

• A relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in commissioning, transformation, business development, service improvement or a related field.
• Experience of working effectively across organisations and developing productive partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong project and programme management expertise, with a track record of delivering complex change.
• Experience of financial and budget management, business planning and performance improvement.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and use evidence to influence decisions.
• Outstanding communication, engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of public sector commissioning, governance and relevant legislation, ideally within children's services or related sectors.
• A commitment to Dorset Council's values of Respect, Together, Accountability, Openness and Curiosity.

Most importantly, you will share our ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people and have the drive and determination to turn innovative ideas into meaning.