Senior Commissioning Manager | Permanent | Commissioning & Contract Management

Lancashire County Council; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Learning & development opportunities

Career growth within a large public‑f­

Supportive team

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a Senior Commissioning Manager to shape strategic priorities and drive high-quality Adult Social Care provision across the county. You will lead the commissioning cycle, translating strategy into effective service delivery, while collaborating with providers and partners to ensure sustainable, person-centred outcomes.

The role requires strategic thinking, stakeholder influence and strong financial governance, with hybrid working arrangements and opportunities

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of adult social care and commissioning principles.
• Strong knowledge of national and local priorities in health and social care.
• Understanding the Care Act 2014 and its implications for assessment, eligibility, safeguarding and commissioning.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead complex projects and manage change effectively.
• Proven ability to build relationships with stakeholders and influence outcomes.
• Capacity to manage budgets and ensure value for money in commissioning decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of commissioning strategies and service models to improve outcomes.
• Build and influence relationships with providers, partners and stakeholders.
• Provide oversight on contract performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion coproduction and lived experience to deliver person-centred approaches.
• Use data and financial information to inform strategic decisions and resource priorities.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams with clear accountability.
• Assure risk, quality and safeguarding across commissioned services.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Job description

Job Description

Salary £55,612-£60,147 Per annum | Pro Rota | Full time, Permanent | Commissioning & Contract Management

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Commissioning Manager to join our Adults, Health and Wellbeing team. This is a key leadership role, shaping strategic commissioning priorities, influencing system-wide improvement and driving high-quality Adult Social Care provision across Lancashire.

You will support the full commissioning cycle, helping to translate strategic priorities into effective service delivery that enables people to live better lives. Working collaboratively with colleagues, partners and providers, you will ensure services are sustainable, person-centred and enable people to live better lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this role, you will provide leadership across commissioning and contract management activity, shaping sustainable services and influencing system-wide improvement.

• Lead the development and delivery of commissioning strategies and service models that improve outcomes and enable people to live better lives.
• Build and influence effective relationships with providers, partners and stakeholders to shape the market and support sustainable, high-quality provision.
• Provide oversight and challenge on contract performance, driving continuous improvement, value for money and strong governance across commissioned services.
• Champion co-production lived experience and partnership working to influence service delivery and deliver person-centred, strengths-based approaches.
• Use data, insight, performance and financial information to inform strategic decisions, prioritise resources and support long-term service improvement.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, creating clarity, accountability and a positive culture that supports people to perform at their best and deliver continuous improvement.
• Lead assurance on risk, quality and safeguarding, ensuring commissioned services are compliant, resilient and responsive to changing needs.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking individuals who:

• Have in-depth understanding of adult social care and commissioning principles.
• Have a strong knowledge of national and local priorities in health and social care, including prevention and tackling inequalities.
• Understandthe Care Act 2014, including its implications for assessment, eligibility, safeguarding, and commissioning responsibilities within Adult Social Care.
• Are excellent in strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Can lead complex projects and manage change effectively.
• Are confident working with a range of stakeholders, building strong relationships and influencing outcomes
• Have strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills
• Can manage competing priorities and work effectively in a changing environment
• Are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services
• Have proven experience in developing and implementing commissioning strategies
• Can manage budgets effectively, applying financial management principles and ensuring value for money in all commissioning decisions.

Why Join Us?

At Lancashire County Council, you will:

• Be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking commissioning team
• Work in a role where you can make a real impact on people’s lives
• Benefit from hybrid working arrangements
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• Be supported to grow your skills and career within a large and diverse organisation

Our Values

We are proud of our values and expect all staff to demonstrate them in their work:

• Supportive
• Innovative
• Respectful
• Collaborative

DBS

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

Local Government Reorganisation

Local Government Reorganisation. The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028. If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation. Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.

Please note: this role is not open to international sponsorship.

Important Information

This is an essential car user post, and you will be required to travel across the county as part of the role.