Strategic Commissioning Officer

Niyaa People Ltd; Torquay; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in children's services is seeking an experienced Strategic Commissioning Officer to develop and implement commissioning strategies aimed at driving positive change for children, young people, and families. The role includes managing a portfolio of services, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring effective resource use. This position offers hybrid working options and a competitive salary, providing a fantastic opportunity to shape transformative strategies within the community.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible, hybrid working options

Career development opportunities

Pension scheme and additional benefits

Qualifications

• Strong background in public sector commissioning, ideally in children's services.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in contract management and informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage commissioning strategies and service plans in children's services.
• Oversee commissioning cycle: needs assessment, service design, procurement.
• Develop quality assurance frameworks for compliance and best practice.

Skills

Public sector commissioning

Contract management

Service design

Data analysis for commissioning

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Strategic Commissioning Officer for a prominent role within a forward-thinking Children's Services team for a local authority in Devon. This pivotal position offers the opportunity to play a key part in commissioning services that drive positive change for children, young people, and families. With the option for hybrid working and a competitive salary, this is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled professional to shape and deliver transformative strategies across children's services.

Key Benefits

• Competitive salary (Grade K)
• Flexible, hybrid working options
• Opportunity to work on a broad portfolio of services
• Contribute to the development and delivery of strategic objectives in a high-impact role
• Join a team dedicated to improving outcomes for children, young people, and their families
• Career development through continuous professional learning and support
• Pension scheme and additional benefits

Strategic Commissioning Officer Role Overview

As a Strategic Commissioning Officer, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of commissioning strategies within the children's services sector. The role involves shaping integrated service delivery models, fostering partnership collaborations, and ensuring effective use of resources to meet the needs of children, young people, and their families. You will work closely with stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure that services are of the highest quality and provide best value within allocated resources.

Key Responsibilities of a Strategic Commissioning Officer

• Lead and manage the development and delivery of commissioning strategies and service plans across children's services.
• Oversee a portfolio of commissioned services, managing aspects the commissioning cycle, including needs assessment, service design, procurement, and performance monitoring.
• Develop and implement a robust quality assurance and outcome framework to ensure service delivery is compliant and aligned with best practices.
• Foster collaborative relationships with key partners, including Public Health, NHS, and local authorities, ensuring integrated service provision.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, ensuring co‑production and consultation with children, young people, and families to shape services that truly meet their needs.
• Monitor and evaluate the financial performance of commissioned services, ensuring that resources are used effectively and cost savings are achieved.
• Contribute to the delivery of strategic change, identifying opportunities for service improvement, transformation, and innovation.
• Provide leadership, direction, and expertise to junior team members, supporting their development and the smooth operation of commissioned services.

What We'd Love To See From You

To be successful in this role, you will need a strong background in public sector commissioning, ideally within children's services. You will be an excellent communicator, capable of managing multiple priorities and working collaboratively with various stakeholders. A problem‑solver with the ability to make informed decisions, you should be experienced in contract management, service design, and the use of data to inform commissioning decisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree level education or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field
• Proven track record in commissioning, contract management, and service delivery, particularly in the children's services sector
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, and commissioning best practices
• Experience of working with diverse stakeholders, including public sector, third sector, and service users
• Excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate and challenge teams to achieve better outcomes

If this Strategic Commissioning Officer role is for you then please apply or contact (url removed)