Head of Integrated Commissioning – Start & Grow Well

WMJobs; Stoke-on-Trent; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Professional development

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an exceptional Head of Commissioning for Start and Grow Well to lead strategic commissioning across Children’s Services, Adult Social Care and Public Health. You will drive major transformation, shape markets, and ensure services are sustainable, high quality and focused on residents’ needs.

Working from Civic Centre with hybrid and flexible options, you will influence outcomes, manage significant budgets, and partner with NHS colleagues and other

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic commissioning and service transformation within local government, health or the public sector.
• Proven leadership of high-performing teams and delivering results in complex environments.
• Experience managing substantial budgets and applying commercial acumen to maximise value.
• Strong partnership-building and influencing skills across organisations including health partners and elected members.
• Extensive knowledge of Adult Social Care commissioning, procurement, contract management, and regulatory frameworks.
• Strategic and data-driven approach to drive service improvement for residents.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic commissioning plans across Children’s Services, Adult Social Care and Public Health.
• Drive large-scale transformation, service redesign and innovation programmes to improve outcomes and secure savings.
• Provide strategic leadership for market shaping, commissioning activity and provider relationships with high value services.
• Build partnerships with NHS colleagues, providers, communities and stakeholders to support integrated, person-centred services.
• Lead statutory improvement programmes including Ofsted, CQC Assurance and market sustainability requirements.
• Manage significant budgets and commissioning programmes with expert advice to senior leaders.

Skills

Strategic commissioning

Transformation leadership

Budget management

Partnership building

Job description

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Directorate: Adult Social Care & All Age Commissioning, Section: All Age Commissioning, Location: Civic Centre, Grade: SM5, Hours: 37 hours per week. This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision. Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

The Role

Stoke on Trent City Council is looking for an exceptional strategic leader to join our All Age Commissioning leadership team as Head of Commissioning for Start and Grow Well, following a restructure there may also be an opportunity arising for a Head of Commissioning Support Unit. This is a great opportunity to lead major transformation across Children’s, Adult Social Care and Public Health, influencing how commissioned services are delivered for residents across the city. You'll work at the heart of a highly ambitious organisation, driving commissioning strategies, market development, service redesign and innovation to improve outcomes for children, families, adults and older people. You'll play a pivotal role in delivering transformation, supporting Ofsted and CQC improvement activity, and ensuring services remain sustainable, high quality and focused on what matters most to local people.

We're looking for someone who

• Has significant senior level commissioning experience within local government, health or the wider public sector
• Can lead complex transformation programmes and deliver measurable outcomes
• Brings strong commercial, financial and political acumen
• Builds effective partnerships across organisations and sectors
• Is passionate about improving lives and making best use of public resources

Why join us

Lead some of the most important transformation programmes in the city. Influence strategic decisions at the highest level. Work across children, adults, public health and integrated care. Be part of an ambitious team committed to innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. Make a lasting difference to the lives of Stoke-on-Trent residents. If you're a strategic thinker, passionate leader and accomplished commissioner ready for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you.

Proposed interview date 1st and 2nd of December

For more information on the role, please contact the Recruiting Manager Shelley Brough, [e-mail]

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic commissioning plans across Children’s Services, Adult Social Care and Public Health
• Drive large-scale transformation, service redesign and innovation programmes to improve outcomes and deliver sustainable savings
• Provide strategic leadership for market shaping, commissioning activity and provider relationships, ensuring high-quality and value-for-money services
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with NHS colleagues, providers, communities and key stakeholders to support integrated, person-centred services
• Lead and support statutory improvement programmes, including Ofsted, CQC Assurance, and market sustainability requirements across Children’s, Adults’ and Public Health services
• Manage significant budgets and commissioning programmes, providing expert advice, assurance and strategic guidance to senior leaders, elected members and partnership boards

About You

• Significant experience in strategic commissioning, service transformation and delivering change within local government, health or the wider public sector
• Proven leadership skills with a successful track record of leading high performing teams and achieving results in complex environments
• Experience managing substantial budgets, delivering savings programmes and applying commercial acumen to maximise value for money
• Strong partnership-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across organisations, including health partners, providers, and elected members
• Extensive knowledge of Adult Social Care commissioning, procurement, contract management, and relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks
• Strategic and innovative in approach, with the ability to use data, insight, and evidence to drive service improvement and deliver positive outcomes for residents

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

Pre-Employment Checks

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

The Council will not accept any speculative CVs from employment agencies.

No agency terms and conditions accompanying any such CVs will be accepted by the Council.

Any unsolicited information sent by an employment agency will be treated as the property of the Council.

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.