Interim Head of Children's Services Commissioning

North Yorkshire Council; Northallerton; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking an Interim Head of Commissioning to lead the children's services commissioning strategy during a major transformation. You will shape a high-quality, value-for-money commissioning framework, oversee procurement and contracts, and build strategic partnerships across health, education, social care and the voluntary sector.

You will work with senior leaders and elected members to drive system-wide improvement, deliver sufficiency and safeguarding responsibilities,

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience in children's services commissioning.
• Experience managing substantial budgets, contracts, provider relationships, and resources.
• Strong knowledge of children's services legislation, safeguarding, and statutory responsibilities.
• Proven ability to develop and implement commissioning strategies using evidence, data, and market insight.
• Excellent partnership-building, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and balance between quality outcomes and financial sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning strategy and transformation across Children's and Young People's Services.
• Shape and develop a sustainable provider market delivering value-for-money services.
• Drive innovation through needs analysis, market intelligence, evidence-based decision making, and service redesign.
• Oversee commissioning, procurement, contract management, mobilisation, and evaluation activity.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Support the delivery of statutory sufficiency duties and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Lead and inspire commissioning teams, creating a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration.
• Work closely with senior leaders and elected members to influence strategic direction and deliver lasting impact.

Skills

Senior leadership

Commissioning leadership

Budget management

Procurement

Stakeholder mgmt

Data-driven decisions

Market intelligence

Strategic thinking

Safeguarding knowledge

Commercial awareness

Job description

North Yorkshire Council is seeking an Interim Head of Commissioning to lead the children's services commissioning strategy during a major transformation. You will shape a high-quality, value-for-money commissioning framework, oversee procurement and contracts, and build strategic partnerships across health, education, social care and the voluntary sector.

You will work with senior leaders and elected members to drive system-wide improvement, deliver sufficiency and safeguarding responsibilities,