Strategy & Commissioning Officer - Older People

Wokingham-Borough-Council; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 31 days + BH

Local government pension

Wellbeing / EAP

Discounts & other benefits

Free onsite gym

Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work

Other employee benefits

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a Strategy and Commissioning Officer (Older People) to join our Adult Social Care and Health Team in a full-time, permanent role based in Wokingham. You will shape services, work with partners, manage contracts and contribute to strategies and policies to improve local care for older people, helping people stay independent and connected to their communities.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities to influence care models that matter to

Qualifications

• Experience of commissioning services and working across the full commissioning cycle.
• Experience of services for older people would be an advantage.
• Good understanding of the Care Act 2014 and the role local authorities play in shaping and supporting the care market.
• A motivated and organised professional who can manage competing priorities, solve problems and work confidently in complex and changing environments.
• Committed to the Social Care Futures vision, with a passion for inclusion, equality and improving people's lives.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to write clear reports and briefings, present information confidently and work effectively with a wide range of people and organisations.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of strategies and policies for Adult Social Care.
• Undertake commissioning and contract management activity for services that support older people.
• Work with partners and providers to support a diverse, sustainable and effective local care market.
• Gather, analyse and use evidence, data and insight to inform service planning and improvement.
• Support procurement, service design, quality assurance and performance review activity.
• Build positive relationships with residents, providers, partners and colleagues across the council.
• Contribute to projects that support transformation, best value and better outcomes for local people.

Skills

Commissioning

Contract management

Strategy development

Performance reporting

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £47,665 - £53,052 Per Annum, Plus Benefits
Location: Wokingham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Yes
Closing Date: 04/10/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 712595

We have an exciting opportunity for a Strategy and Commissioning Officer (Older People) to join our Adult Social Care and Health Team at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis.

As a Strategy and Commissioning Officer, you will help shape and improve services for older people in Wokingham. You'll work as part of our Strategy, Commissioning and Performance team to make sure local services are high quality, meet people's needs and make the best use of resources.

You’ll support a range of work, including commissioning services, managing contracts, improving how services are delivered, and helping to develop strategies and policies.

Working closely with health partners, housing services, care providers, voluntary organisations, council colleagues, carers and residents, you’ll build strong relationships and bring people together to make a difference.

Most importantly, you’ll help ensure services are designed around what matters to local people, supporting them to stay independent, live well and remain connected to their communities

This is an exciting time to join us. We are an Award‑Winning Local Authority and were recently recognised by the Care Quality Commission as one of the best adult social care services in the country and ranked 2 nd nationally in the Impower Productivity Index.

We want to organise social care differently, so that everyone can live in a place they call home, with the people and things they love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing things that matter to them.

If you are an experienced commissioner with a passion for social care and are excited by the opportunity to help us realise this vision, we look forward to hearing from you!

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 35 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme, including a 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• And so much more!

Key responsibilities:

• Support the development and delivery of strategies and policies for Adult Social Care.
• Undertake commissioning and contract management activity for services that support older people.
• Work with partners and providers to support a diverse, sustainable and effective local care market.
• Gather, analyse and use evidence, data and insight to inform service planning and improvement.
• Support procurement, service design, quality assurance and performance review activity.
• Build positive relationships with residents, providers, partners and colleagues across the council.
• Contribute to projects that support transformation, best value and better outcomes for local people.

Candidate requirements:

• Experience of commissioning services and working across the full commissioning cycle.
• Experience of services for older people would be an advantage.
• Good understanding of the Care Act 2014 and the role local authorities play in shaping and supporting the care market.
• A motivated and organised professional who can manage competing priorities, solve problems and work confidently in complex and changing environments.
• Committed to the Social Care Futures vision, with a passion for inclusion, equality and improving people's lives.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to write clear reports and briefings, present information confidently and work effectively with a wide range of people and organisations.

About Wokingham Borough

Wokingham Borough sits in the heart of Berkshire and has excellent transport links to Reading and London. It includes a historic market town, welcoming villages and miles of beautiful countryside.

We have high‑performing schools, thriving businesses and a strong sense of community. With good public facilities, a growing local economy and low crime rates, it’s a great place to live and work. We’re also committed to becoming a Marmot Borough, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and reducing inequalities across our diverse community.

Interview date: W/C 12th October 2026

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.