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- Tasks: Lead a major employability programme, ensuring high-quality service delivery and impactful outcomes.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to transformational change and community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, career development opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping local economies and fostering innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning or contract management, strong analytical skills, and excellent stakeholder engagement.
- Other info: Mobile role requiring a driving licence; commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential.
The predicted salary is between 38400 - 47000 £ per year.
Commissioning Lead
Permanent, Full Time
£44,434 to £52,275 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Are you passionate about improving employment outcomes and building strong partnerships with employers and service providers? Do you have experience in commissioning and contract management, with a focus on delivering real impact for communities?
We\’re looking for a dynamic and strategic Commissioning Lead to join our team and lead areas of delivery of the Connect to Work programme – a key initiative designed to support residents into sustainable employment through high-quality, contracted services.
About the Role
As Commissioning Lead, you will:
- Lead the commissioning and contract management of a major employability programme, ensuring services are responsive, high-performing, and deliver value for money.
- Oversee the performance of a contracted provider, ensuring effective delivery of participant engagement, employer engagement, and employment outcomes.
- Use data and insight to monitor impact, identify areas for improvement, and drive continuous service enhancement.
- Build strong relationships with employers, industry bodies, and public sector partners to support collaborative working and maximise opportunities for participants.
- Provide day-to-day leadership to a small commissioning team, ensuring timely and effective delivery of programme objectives.
What We\’re Looking For
We\’re seeking someone who can bring:
- Proven experience in commissioning, contract management, or programme delivery in employability, skills, or economic development.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, particularly with employers, service providers, and public sector partners.
- A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Why Join Us?
This is a fantastic opportunity to shape a high-impact programme that supports people into work and strengthens local economies. You\’ll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team committed to innovation, inclusion, and making a difference
To read more about our business area, please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we\’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone\’s Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government\’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We\’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We\’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you\’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .
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Commissioning Lead, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Lead, Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Connect to Work programme and its objectives. Understanding the specific goals and challenges of this initiative will help you demonstrate your passion for improving employment outcomes during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the employability and commissioning sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or stakeholders, as building these relationships can give you insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your analytical skills and how you've used data to drive improvements in past roles. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Commissioning Lead.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Essex County Council's recent initiatives and achievements in economic development. Being knowledgeable about their current projects will show your genuine interest in the organisation and your commitment to contributing positively to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Lead, Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commissioning, contract management, and programme delivery. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and stakeholder engagement abilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for improving employment outcomes. Mention how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities of the Commissioning Lead role and how you can contribute to the Connect to Work programme.
Highlight Data-Driven Achievements: In your application, emphasise any achievements where you used data to inform decisions or improve outcomes. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to drive continuous service enhancement.
Showcase Collaborative Skills: Provide examples of how you've built strong relationships with employers and public sector partners in the past. This is crucial for the role, so make sure to highlight your proactive and collaborative approach.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Showcase Your Commissioning Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in commissioning and contract management. Highlight specific projects where you successfully delivered outcomes, focusing on how you ensured services were high-performing and responsive.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Since the role requires strong analytical abilities, come ready to share examples of how you've used data to inform decisions. Discuss any tools or methodologies you’ve employed to monitor impact and drive improvements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in building relationships with various stakeholders, especially employers and service providers. Think of examples where your engagement led to successful collaborations or improved outcomes.
✨Exhibit a Proactive Approach
The role demands a proactive and collaborative mindset. Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Share instances where your initiative made a significant difference in project delivery.
