Head of Service - Strategic Contracts & Quality

Are you ready to lead the charge for higher standards? We are looking for a leader to drive strategic direction that improves outcomes and standards for people in receipt of care and support. You will oversee the People Contracts & Quality function across Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Public Health. This is a critical leadership role with responsibility for the strategic and operational management of a complex portfolio of 500+ commissioned contracts, over 250 provider organisations and annual expenditure of £250m.

You will be at the heart of contract management, building relationships and working closely with senior leaders, providers and partner organisations to ensure that services are safe, high quality, outcome-focused and deliver value for money. Reporting to the Assistant Director - People Commissioning and Business Support, you will play a key role in working with Strategic Commissioning colleagues and system partners, including NHS organisations, to support integrated working and continuous improvement across the health and care system.

• Provide senior strategic leadership and management of the People Contracts & Quality Improvement function across Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Public Health.
• Lead the development, implementation and ongoing assurance of a robust, proportionate, risk-based contract and quality management framework covering all commissioned services.
• Ensure effective alignment between commissioning intentions and contract delivery, working closely with Strategic Commissioning leads.
• Lead partnership working with NHS bodies, provider organisations, neighbouring authorities and other stakeholders, contributing to the wider health and care integration agenda.
• Maintain oversight and assurance of quality, safety, safeguarding concerns, complaints and serious incidents, working in accordance with statutory requirements and in partnership with regulators including CQC and Ofsted.
• Support the development and sustainability of a diverse and high-quality provider market, promoting improvement, innovation and collaborative approaches.
• Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded within contract management and quality improvement activity, reflecting the needs of Bradford’s communities.
• Provide effective leadership and line management to Senior Contract & Quality Managers, including workforce planning, performance management and staff development.
• Hold responsibility for budget management and financial oversight within the service area, ensuring effective use of resources and value for money.
• Develop and monitor performance and quality metrics, taking corrective action where performance is not meeting required standards.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings and recommendations to senior leadership teams, governance boards, scrutiny committees and partnership forums.
• Act as a senior professional representative of the service and deputise for the Assistant Director - People Commissioning and Business Support at internal, system-wide and regional meetings as required.

• Experience in commissioning, contracting, procurement and/or quality management within health and/or social care.
• In-depth knowledge of statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks relevant to adult social care, children’s services and public health.
• A proven track record of leading large-scale services, complex teams and significant budgets.
• Experience of provider performance management, quality assurance, safeguarding and risk management.
• Strong leadership, influencing and partnership-working skills, with the ability to operate effectively at system level.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making and communication skills.
• A Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline; professional qualifications in commissioning, contracting or procurement are desirable.
• A clear commitment to co-production, equality and continuous improvement.

• A senior leadership role with significant strategic and operational responsibility.
• The opportunity to influence and shape system-wide commissioning and quality arrangements.
• A supportive and collaborative senior leadership environment.
• Competitive senior manager terms and conditions, including: Generous annual leave, Local Government Pension Scheme, Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.