Head of Service

Panoramic Associates Limted; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking local authority in London is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Service – Commissioning & Transformation. This role involves providing strategic leadership across children's services, ensuring innovative and positive outcomes for young people. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in service redesign and cooperative commissioning. This role offers a hybrid working model, allowing flexibility while making a significant impact on communities.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in Children’s Services commissioning or transformation.
• Proven ability to lead improvement and provide strategic direction.
• Strong understanding of placements and sufficiency planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide collaborative leadership across commissioning and service redesign.
• Shape commissioning strategies that strengthen services.
• Ensure sustainable impact through effective commissioning practice.

Skills

Experience as a Head of Service

Service redesign with empathy

Understanding of cooperative commissioning models

Building positive relationships

Job description

Job Title: Interim Head of Service – Commissioning & Transformation (Children’s Services)

Location: London

Contract: 6-9 months

Rate: £500-550 per day (Inside IR35)

Role: Hybrid (2 days per week on site)

A forward-thinking London local authority is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Service – Commissioning & Transformation to provide collaborative and strategic leadership across commissioning, contracts, and service redesign during a key period of development.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a council dedicated to delivering positive outcomes for children, young people, and families through innovative, values-led transformation. Working alongside the Assistant Director and senior leadership team, you will shape commissioning strategies that strengthen services, enhance collaboration, and ensure sustainable impact.

You will be responsible for leading commissioning and transformation across placements, early help, and targeted services, focusing on sufficiency, partnership working, and embedding effective commissioning practice across the organisation.

What we’re looking for:

Substantial experience as a Head of Service or Assistant Director within Children’s Services commissioning or transformation

A proven ability to lead improvement and service redesign with empathy and clear strategic direction

Strong understanding of placements, sufficiency planning, and cooperative commissioning models

Skilled at building positive relationships and inspiring confidence across partners and teams

Committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and families through inclusive, evidence-based leadership

The Role:

Strategic leadership opportunity during a key period of service development

Chance to shape and embed lasting commissioning and transformation improvements

Supportive, inclusive senior leadership team with a strong shared vision

Flexible hybrid working arrangement (2 days on site per week)

If you’re an experienced commissioning and transformation leader who thrives on collaboration, innovation, and impact, this role offers an opportunity to make a real difference for children and families.

Apply for this role

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