Strategic Commissioner, CLA Team x2

Swindon Borough Council; Swindon; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Swindon Borough Council is seeking a Strategic Commissioner – Children Looked After (x2 roles) to independently lead on needs and market assessment, market testing, and service design. This 1-year fixed term contract focuses on commissioning good quality services while delivering savings.

You’ll work within Council transformation programmes to improve outcomes for children looked after. The role requires English fluency, an enhanced DBS check, and a track record in commissioning with pace.

Qualifications

• Experience in commissioning good quality services while delivering savings.
• Ability to lead on needs and market assessment, market testing and service design.
• Experience preparing for competitive tenders in children's social care.

Responsibilities

• Lead activities such as needs and market assessment, market testing and service design.
• Prepare for a competitive tender to unlock contract efficiencies and savings.

Job description

Strategic Commissioner – Children Looked After (x2 roles available)

Ref: 188278

Salary: £68,429 p.a. plus benefits

37 hours per week

Fixed Term Contract – 1 year

Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that’s who we’re doing it for – the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It’s all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

Your next role

You will need to be able to hit the ground running and independently lead on activities such as a needs and market assessment, market testing, service design and preparation for a competitive tender at pace which will unlock contract efficiencies and savings. Specific areas of focus have been pre-identified, mostly relating to children’s social care contracts, this is an investment to save role as part of our transformation/improvement programme so you must have a track record of being able to commission good quality services whilst also delivering savings.

This is initially a 1-year Fixed Term Contract, with the possibility of an extension or a permanent position, subject to circumstances.

This is an ideal opportunity for a candidate with a wealth of commissioning experience who loves the ‘doing’ without needing to line manage colleagues or have any business-as-usual responsibilities, if you are motivated by delivering impact, we want to hear from you.

You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer-facing role”).

You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, revitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

For further information about the role please contact Grace Lynch, Director of Commissioning – People at [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion.

Closing date: 9October 2026

Interview date: 23October 2026