Strategic Commissioning Lead

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Winchester is seeking a Strategic Commissioning Lead to oversee initiatives in Adults Health and Care. The successful candidate will drive innovation, engage with health partners, and shape funding programmes. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills, experience in commissioning, and a postgraduate level of education. A flexible working environment and career progression opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Minimum of 25 days annual leave

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Opportunities for career progression and professional development

Qualifications

• Ability to build effective delivery teams and partnerships.
• Capable of interpreting complex data and managing conflict.
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills.
• Experience managing large budgets within Adults Health and Care.
• Deep understanding of relevant legislation and policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic commissioning initiatives with health partners.
• Drive innovation and service improvement for resident experience.
• Monitor key funding programmes like the Better Care Fund.
• Contribute to local and national strategy development.

Skills

Strategic leadership and collaboration skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Excellent communication and influencing skills

Proven experience in commissioning and programme leadership

Professional qualifications and sector knowledge

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Strategic Commissioning Lead

Job Reference: HCC622600

Salary Range: £65,895 - £73,902 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 16 November 2025

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced individual to contribute to the leadership and development of the Adults Health and Care Commissioning team in Hampshire. This is a Strategic Commissioning role, sitting in the shared services Commissioning and Procurement team, focussed on Older Adults social care.

Adults social care is under the spotlight more than ever before, and there is a significant programme of work ahead which will be both challenging and exciting. At Hampshire County Council our strategic aim is to promote independent living for our ageing population and we are looking for an individual to join the Older Adults Commissioning team to help us to set and drive the strategic direction for current and future services. A key area of focus for this role will be partnership working with health.

Demand for social care in Hampshire is forecast to rise significantly over the next 3-5 years, particularly among the older population aged over 75. Our growing and ageing population is increasing demand for services which is driving up cost, and we are projecting growth pressures over the next three years for the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy. Shifting care from hospitals to communities is central to the Government’s ten year plan for the NHS and this means an increased emphasis on identifying opportunities for the integration of health and social care, to benefit the residents of Hampshire. Local Government is also going to be working through a period of reform, with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) due to come into effect in April 2028 and this will require consideration for Commissioning.

What you’ll do

• Lead strategic commissioning initiatives in collaboration with health partners, focusing on discharge planning, complex care pathways, and future service models across Hampshire.
• Drive innovation and service improvement by overseeing the commissioning of county-wide equipment services and leading the development of new projects that enhance resident experience.
• Shape and monitor key funding programmes, including the Better Care Fund, ensuring robust stakeholder engagement and transparent reporting to senior leadership and elected members.
• Influence policy and modernisation efforts by contributing to local and national strategy development, supporting budget management, and fostering a high-performance culture across Adults’ Health and Care.

What we’re looking for

• Strategic leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to build effective delivery teams and partnerships across internal departments and external stakeholders, including NHS partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of interpreting complex data, managing conflict, and identifying innovative solutions that drive service improvement and efficiency.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including negotiation, presentation, and the ability to engage senior stakeholders, elected members, and partner organisations.
• Proven experience in commissioning and programme leadership, particularly within Adults Health and Care, managing large budgets and delivering improved outcomes for vulnerable adults and carers.
• Professional qualifications and sector knowledge, ideally at postgraduate level, with a deep understanding of relevant legislation, policy, and the strategic role of local authorities in adult social care.

We can offer the successful candidate:

• A flexible working environment
• A minimum of 25 day’s annual leave
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• A range of opportunities for career progression and professional development

If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!

To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see ourbenefits package .

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.