Commissioning & Relationship Lead

Rutland County Council; Oakham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK seeks a Commissioning & Relationship Lead to oversee and enhance children’s services. The role involves supporting in-house service development, producing strategic documents, and collaborating with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in commissioning and quality assurance. A driving license for county travel is necessary, and flexible working is supported.

Benefits

Enhanced DBS check paid by the employer

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Knowledge of quality assurance required in a commissioning role.
• Ability to lead fee and price negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of in-house services.
• Ensure delivery of strategic commissioning priorities.
• Produce key strategic documents.
• Establish market management activity.
• Undertake strategic reviews of business areas.

Skills

Knowledge and understanding of commissioning within children’s services

Ability to prepare reports and analyse information

Ability to communicate with stakeholders

Experience in children’s commissioning

Job description

Overview

As the Commissioning & Relationship Lead your duties will include:

Responsibilities

• Supporting the development of in-house services – fostering learning from commissioned placements and supporting RCC to bring this in house
• Ensuring the delivery of the Childrens Services strategic commissioning priorities and agreed outcomes, and that these are aligned with other work across the Council and external partners
• Producing key strategic documents such as needs assessments and Market Position Statements to support commissioning and drive their implementation across the relevant Directorate
• Establishing and overseeing market management activity, including the development and implementation of service provider consultation (Soft Market Testing) to align the market with identified needs and gaps in provision
• Undertaking strategic reviews of areas of business, informed by Children and families' feedback, provider/supplier engagement, and identified service gaps and unmet needs

About you / Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of commissioning within childrens services
• Knowledge of and understanding of quality assurance required in a commissioning role
• Ability to prepare reports and analyse information to ensure best practice
• Ability to communicate with stakeholders and present in a variety of forums
• Ability to lead fee and price negotiations to meet the needs of the service
• Sound knowledge and experience in childrens commissioning
• Note: a driving licence is required to travel around the county

Additional information

• The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check; DBS costs are paid by us
• The Commissioning & Relationship Lead interviews will be held in the week commencing 20 October 2025; this date may change and we will provide notice
• Applications are reviewed regularly and those meeting essential criteria will be invited to interview
• Rutland Council supports flexible working and a hybrid working model; base is Oakham, Rutland
• Find out more or contact: Sarah Gill, Principal Social Worker and Service Manager at 01572 758204