Transformation & Commissioning Manager - Children's Services

Wokingham Borough Council; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

GP Helpline

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Onsite Gym

Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Car andCycle

Local & Lifestyle Discounts

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Group Activities

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is looking for a Transformation & Commissioning Manager in Children’s Services to lead a portfolio across Early Help, Social Care, Education and Health. This full-time, permanent role focuses on shaping strategic priorities and improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

With collaboration across the council and partners, you will drive relational commissioning, strengthen partnerships and ensure voices of children and families influence service design

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Significant experience leading strategic transformation programmes within children’s services.
• Proven track record in strategic commissioning, including service design, procurement, contract management and performance monitoring.
• Experience overseeing multiple programmes or a portfolio of work with interdependencies and strategic priorities.
• Strong knowledge of at least one area of children’s services and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with ability to produce reports and influence senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative, inclusive leadership with commitment to equity, innovation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide strategic oversight across a portfolio of transformation and commissioning programmes aligned to strategic priorities and local needs.
• Develop commissioning strategies and manage the full commissioning cycle, including needs assessment, service design, procurement, contract management and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate complex programmes of change, managing interdependencies, risks, budgets and delivery against agreed outcomes and timescales.
• Shape and develop the provider market to support a diverse, high-quality and sustainable service offer that delivers value for money.
• Build strong partnerships across the council, health, education, providers and the voluntary and community sector, representing the service at strategic boards and multi‑agency forums.
• Embed co‑production and participation so that children, young people and families meaningfully influence planning, commissioning, service design and evaluation.
• Provide high‑quality reports, briefings and presentations to senior leaders, elected members and stakeholders, using evidence and insight to support decision‑making.
• Lead, support and develop Transformation and Commissioning Officers, promoting innovation, continuous improvement and shared accountability.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Collaborative leadership

Equity & inclusion

Change management

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Job description

Transformation & Commissioning Manager - Children's Services

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £60,957 - £66,808 per annum, plus benefits
Location: Shute End, Wokingham
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 29/11/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 711316

Transformation and Commissioning Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Transformation and Commissioning Manager to join our Children’s Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning Service at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.

This is a pivotal leadership role where you will shape and oversee a significant portfolio of transformation and commissioning programmes across Early Help, Social Care, Education and Health. You will ensure activity is aligned to strategic priorities, responsive to local need and focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

Working collaboratively across the council and with health, education, providers and the voluntary and community sector, you will lead relational commissioning approaches, strengthen trust-based partnerships and help deliver more joined-up, preventative and inclusive services. You will also ensure that the voices and lived experiences of children and families directly influence service design and evaluation.

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative and outcome-focused leader with significant experience of commissioning and transformation. In return, you will join a forward-thinking service with the opportunity to influence major reforms, lead system-wide change and make a lasting difference for local children and families.

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:

Generous Annual Leave- 31 days per annum (rising by 5 days with 5 years continued local government serviced), plus Bank Holidays

GP Helpline- Available 7 days a week

Employee Assistance Programme- Including a 24/7Your CareHelpline

Free Onsite Gym- Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham

Salary Sacrifice Schemes- IncludingCarandCycle to Work schemes

Local & Lifestyle Discounts- Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Group Activities– Including running, football, cricket & more

And more!

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and provide strategic oversight across a portfolio of transformation and commissioning programmes aligned to strategic priorities and local needs.
• Develop commissioning strategies and manage the full commissioning cycle, including needs assessment, service design, procurement, contract management and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate complex programmes of change, managing interdependencies, risks, budgets and delivery against agreed outcomes and timescales.
• Shape and develop the provider market to support a diverse, high-quality and sustainable service offer that delivers value for money.
• Build strong partnerships across the council, health, education, providers and the voluntary and community sector, representing the service at strategic boards and multi‑agency forums.
• Embed co‑production and participation so that children, young people and families meaningfully influence planning, commissioning, service design and evaluation.
• Provide high‑quality reports, briefings and presentations to senior leaders, elected members and stakeholders, using evidence and insight to support decision‑making.
• Lead, support and develop Transformation and Commissioning Officers, promoting innovation, continuous improvement and shared accountability.

Candidate Requirements:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or able to demonstrate extensive experience in strategic commissioning across social care and/or health.
• Significant experience of leading strategic transformation programmes within children’s services or a closely related field.
• A proven track record in strategic commissioning, including service design, procurement, contract management and performance monitoring.
• Experience of overseeing multiple programmes or a portfolio of work, including managing interdependencies and strategic priorities.
• Strong knowledge of at least one area of children’s services, with awareness of relevant legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to interpret data, produce high‑quality reports and influence senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of involving children, young people and families in service development and evaluation.
• A collaborative, inclusive and resilient leadership style, with a strong commitment to equity, innovation and continuous improvement.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

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.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.