Head of Strategic Commissioning & Delivery

London Borough of Merton; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority seeks a Head of Strategic Commissioning & Delivery to oversee adult social care and public health services. This impactful role involves driving commissioning strategies, ensuring quality governance, and leading a dynamic team to address health inequalities. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, experience in procurement and contract management, and a commitment to improving outcomes for diverse communities. Join a supportive environment where your contributions matter.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic commissioning and transformation within local government, health, or related sectors.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills across complex systems.
• Expertise in procurement, contract management, and market development.
• Commitment to tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes for diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Drive commissioning strategies across adult social care.
• Lead market shaping and embed co-production with residents.
• Oversee performance and governance across commissioned services.
• Manage budgets, deliver savings, and maximize income opportunities.

Skills

Strategic commissioning

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Procurement

Contract management

Market development

Job description

We are seeking an experience and ambitious leader to oversee the strategic commissioning of adult social care, integrated care, and public health services. This is a high-impact role at the heart of our Integrated Care & Commissioning work, ensuring high-quality, person-centred outcomes for residents.

As Head of Strategic Commissioning & Delivery , you will :

• Provide leadership across commissioning, procurement, contract management, and market development.
• Align strategies with national policy, NHS reforms, and local transformation programmes, including neighbourhood and place-based care.
• Lead a dynamic and agile team, collaborating with senior leaders, frontline services, and partners to co-design innovative solutions and deliver meaningful improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & System Integration : Drive commissioning strategies across adult social care, public health, and integrated care, supporting neighbourhood health and care models and ICs priorities.
• Commissioning & Market Development : Ensure sufficiency and sustainability of provision, lead market shaping, and embed co-production with residents and partners.
• Contract Management & Quality Assurance : Oversee performance, governance, and safeguarding across commissioned services.
• Leadership & Collaboration : Develop talent, foster innovation, and contribute to system leadership.
• Resources & Innovation : Manage budgets, deliver savings, maximise income opportunities, and embed continuous improvement.

About You

• Proven experience in strategic commissioning and transformation within local government, health, or related sectors.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills across complex systems.
• Expertise in procurement, contract management, and market development.
• A commitment to tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes for diverse communities.

Social Care is special here, so come join the team

Come and work in a supportive environment at Merton Council, where you’ll do a social care role that matters in a place whereyoumatter.

Our ‘social care roles / staff’ do important jobs, and we’re focused on looking after you so you can look after others.

Our people stay because we have a great culture, and staff tell us their colleagues are the best thing about working here.

For an informal discussion, please contact Terry Clark, Director of Integrated Care, Commissioning & Assurance.