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- Tasks: Lead strategic commissioning of early help services for children and families across Norfolk.
- Company: Norfolk County Council, dedicated to improving lives and driving impactful change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while shaping community services.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in children's services commissioning and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 77732 - 86720 £ per year.
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children, young people, and families? Do you thrive on partnership working, system leadership, and driving high-impact change? If so, this is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping Norfolk's early help and prevention landscape.
About The Role
We’re seeking a motivated and visionary leader to head up the strategic commissioning of prevention and early help services for children and families across Norfolk. This role is central to ensuring that children and young people flourish, inequalities are reduced, and services across health, education, social care and the voluntary sector work together seamlessly. As a key part of the Safeguarding, Partnerships and Opportunities leadership team, you will collaborate with senior colleagues across the CYP system, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Public Health, and a wide network of partners to deliver an integrated approach to early help. You will also deputise for the Director of Safeguarding, Partnerships and Opportunities when required.
You’ll Lead
You will oversee a diverse portfolio of commissioned early help services, including:
- Early Childhood and Family Service (ECFS)
- Youth Advisory Boards (YABs)
- Youth Early Support Service (YESS)
- Young Carers and Parent Carers
- Domestic Abuse & Unhealthy Relationships services (DAUR)
- Best Start in Life (BSiL) programmes
- Partnership projects across Public Health, the ICB, and community services
What The Role Delivers
In this senior leadership role, you will lead Norfolk's integrated commissioning of prevention and early help services, shaping a coherent countywide strategy and delivering high-quality, outcome-focused provision for children, young people and families. You will oversee a diverse portfolio of commissioned services, drive continuous improvement and innovation, and ensure strong performance management and value for money. Working collaboratively with the ICB, Public Health, the DfE and wider partners, you will lead major programmes such as Best Start for Life Family Hubs, strengthen youth and participation strategies, manage significant budgets, provide strategic advice to senior leaders, and develop high-performing staff teams to ensure services meet local needs and support positive outcomes.
About You
We’re looking for an inspiring and credible senior leader who brings:
- Significant senior management experience in children's services commissioning
- Strong understanding of legislative frameworks, service planning and procurement
- Experience leading large-scale change in complex environments
- Excellent communication, partnership-building and influencing skills
- Confidence managing significant budgets and making evidence-based decisions
- A collaborative, strategic mindset with a passion for improving outcomes
Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.
These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working dependant on your job role and business need.
- Financial benefits such as Norfolk Rewards our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants pensions.
- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job
You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.
Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.
Closing Date: 10 February 2026 at 23:55
Interview Dates: Tuesday 17th February and Friday 20th February - onsite County Hall
Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnerships employer: CEMP
Contact Detail:
CEMP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnerships
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about roles that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. This will help you refine your answers and boost your confidence when it’s time to shine in the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnerships
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing your application, take a good look at the job description. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role of Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnerships, so make sure you highlight relevant skills and experiences that match what they're looking for.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We recommend personalising your cover letter and CV to reflect the specific requirements of the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what’s needed and how you can contribute to improving the lives of children and families in Norfolk.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leadership and partnership working. Make sure to include examples of your previous management experience and how you've successfully led teams or projects. We want to see your ability to drive change and improve outcomes, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the information you need about the application process there. So, get clicking and let’s see your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at CEMP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnerships. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around strategic commissioning and partnership working. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your passion for improving outcomes for children and families.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your significant senior management experience in children's services commissioning. Think about times you've led large-scale change or managed complex budgets. Be ready to discuss how you’ve influenced and built partnerships in previous roles.
✨Understand the Landscape
Research Norfolk's early help and prevention landscape. Know the current challenges and opportunities within the system, including the role of the Integrated Care Board and Public Health. This knowledge will show your commitment to the role and your ability to contribute to strategic discussions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the future direction of the services you'll oversee or how the council measures success in its partnerships. Asking insightful questions demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
