Senior Joint Commissioning Manager - Hybrid/Remote

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Crewe; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced annual leave

Purchase of annual leave

Flexible working pattern

Green car salary sacrifice

White goods salary sacrifice

Enhanced public pension

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

Cheshire East Council invites applications for a Senior Commissioning Manager – Joint Commissioning role based in Crewe. You will lead the commissioning portfolio for Children’s Social Care and SEND, translating priorities into deliverable plans that secure sufficiency, value and improved outcomes for children and families.

You will shape provider markets, manage complex procurements and ensure contract and performance oversight within a public-sector framework.

Qualifications

• Degree of equivalent experience in commissioning, public service or related field.
• Substantial experience of commissioning services for children and young people.
• Demonstrable experience of strategy development, market management, contracting and performance within a complex public-sector environment.
• Extensive understanding of the commissioning cycle.
• Demonstrable knowledge of SEND Code of Practice, Children Act duties, and procurement regulations.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding expectations and quality assurance principles.
• Application of needs assessment, outcomes-based commissioning benefits realisation and options appraisal techniques.

Responsibilities

• Act as the strategic portfolio lead for joint commissioning, with clear accountability for outcomes, quality, sufficiency and spend. Matrix work across CSC and SEND programmes.
• Develop, deliver and periodically refresh portfolio commissioning and joint commissioning strategies and action plans aligned to statutory duties, system priorities and the Council’s commissioning framework.
• Lead needs assessment, demand and sufficiency analysis for the portfolio, using data and intelligence to shape commissioning intentions, market interventions and business cases.
• Shape and manage provider markets, including development of market position statements, frameworks and regional commissioning arrangements, and proactive engagement with independent and VCS providers.
• Lead complex procurement, contracting and negotiation activity within the portfolio, ensuring compliance with public procurement law and achievement of value for money and social value.
• Oversee contract management and performance assurance for commissioned services, working closely with QA colleagues to address underperformance, safeguarding concerns and provider failure.

Education

Degree of equivalent experience in commissioning, public service or related field

Substantial experience of commissioning services for children and young people

Strategy development, market management, contracting and performance

Extensive understanding of the commissioning cycle

Knowledge of SEND Code of Practice, Children Act duties, and procurement regulations

Safeguarding and quality assurance principles

Needs assessment, outcomes-based commissioning benefits realisation and options appraisal techniques

Job description

Cheshire East Council invites applications for a Senior Commissioning Manager – Joint Commissioning role based in Crewe. You will lead the commissioning portfolio for Children’s Social Care and SEND, translating priorities into deliverable plans that secure sufficiency, value and improved outcomes for children and families.

You will shape provider markets, manage complex procurements and ensure contract and performance oversight within a public-sector framework.