Head of Strategic Commissioning - Adult Social Care

Wokingham Jobs; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Strategic Commissioning to transform adult social care. This role involves delivering innovative commissioning strategies and leading a team to ensure high-quality services for residents. Ideal candidates will have extensive leadership experience, a strong understanding of relevant legislation, and a passion for improving community welfare. The position offers competitive benefits and a chance to be part of a successful care programme.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 30 days

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

Free Onsite Gym

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing a strategic service effectively.
• Ability to inspire and lead high-performing teams in commissioning.
• Deep understanding of integrated care systems and political landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transformation of Adult Social Care and Health services.
• Deliver high-quality planning and commissioning processes.
• Manage a small team of commissioners to achieve best value.

Skills

Leadership

Commissioning strategies

Understanding of Care Act

Stakeholder engagement

Creativity and resilience

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent qualifications

Job description

Head of Strategic Commissioning

Be part of a nationally recognised success story in adult social care!

We have an excellent opportunity available for an exceptional leader to join our Adult Social Care Directorate as Head of Strategic Commissioning, on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Head of Strategic Commissioning, you'll lead the transformation of Adult Social Care and Health services to deliver better outcomes, greater value for money, and a sustainable, high‑quality care system for Wokingham residents. You'll design and deliver innovative, person‑centred commissioning strategies and co‑producing services that reflect local needs.

Through strong partnerships with health, voluntary and community organisations, and people with lived experience, you'll shape sustainable care markets using data and insight, while championing equality, inclusion, and innovation in all you do.

This role will be at the heart of our transformation journey, one that has recently been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as among the best in the country.

Following a comprehensive inspection in 2025, Wokingham's adult social care services were rated "Good" overall, with "Outstanding" scores in Partnerships & Communities and Learning, Improvement & Innovation. We achieved one of the highest scores nationally (81%)-a powerful endorsement of our commitment to quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Wokingham Borough Council has joined the Social Care Future (SCF) movement, a growing community commitment to bring about major positive change to adult social care. The SCF vision aims to change the way people think about social care. It talks about organising social care differently, so that everyone regardless of age, health condition or disability can live in a place they call home, with the people and things they love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing things that matter to them.

Staff Benefits

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including :

Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 30 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow)

GP Helpline 7 days a week

Employee Assistance Programme with a 24 / 7 Your Care confidential helpline

Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

Free Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham)

Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Car and Cycle to Work

Local & Lifestyle Discounts - savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Group Activities - running, football, cricket, and more

Learning & Development Opportunities

Employee Networks

And more!

Key responsibilities :

• Delivering high quality planning, commissioning, and improvement processes to drive change, innovation and excellence in social care commissioning in line with national and local priorities.
• Providing operational and strategic leadership of the adults commissioning service ensuring the required outputs and outcomes are achieved in line with the council's vision, goals and objectives.
• Leading the commissioning of good quality and affordable social care and health care services which meet the needs of adults in the borough of Wokingham.
• Manage a small team of commissioners, to drive commissioning activities, ensuring best value and achieve a balanced budget, creatively drawing on a wide range of resources and assets as appropriate.
• Ensuring that best value is achieved through the commissioning of individual placements and support the sufficiency within the local social care market.

Candidate requirements :

• Translate national policy into local action with measurable impact.
• Inspire and lead high‑performing teams, delivering innovation and excellence in social care commissioning.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the Care Act, commissioning cycles, and integrated care systems.
• Build trust and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Bring creativity, resilience, and a passion for improving lives.
• Educated to degree‑level or equivalent relevant professional qualifications or expertise.
• Has significant experience of successfully managing a strategic service, including people, budgets and performance.
• Has an understanding of the political landscape, legislative frameworks, and regional and national drivers surrounding the areas covered within the portfolio.

Our area :

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents.

If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact - Wesley Hedger, Service Director - Adult Social Care - Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning [e-mail]

Closing Date : 7th December 2025, 11pm

Technical Interviews Date : 15th December 2025

Final Panel Interviews Date : 19th December 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.