Head of Service - Commissioning

This is a pivotal leadership role where the successful candidate will shape services for children and young people, influence markets, and drive transformational change across social care and health. We are seeking an ambitious, commercially astute, and outcomes-focused leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about improving the lives of children, young people, and families. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and dynamic leader to shape the future of services, influence regional and local priorities, and ensure children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. Reporting to the Assistant Director, you will provide strategic leadership across commissioning activities, driving innovation, commercial excellence, and transformational change. You will work closely with senior leaders, providers, health partners, schools, and stakeholders to develop sustainable, high-quality services that deliver improved outcomes and value for money.,

• Lead the strategic commissioning and transformation of services for children and young people.
• Shape and influence local and regional markets to ensure sufficient, high-quality provision is available.
• Drive innovative commissioning approaches that improve outcomes and deliver best value.
• Develop effective partnerships across social care, health, education, housing, and the voluntary sector.
• Lead complex procurement and contract management activity, ensuring compliance and commercial effectiveness.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders, elected members, and governance boards.
• Deliver commissioning strategies that support sufficiency, prevention, early intervention, and improved life chances.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, integration, and service redesign across organisational boundaries.
• Ensure commissioning activity is outcomes-focused, evidence-led, and centred on the needs of children, young people, and families.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people while leading a significant commissioning portfolio during a period of transformation and opportunity. You will join an ambitious organisation committed to innovation, partnership working, and delivering excellent outcomes for residents. We offer a supportive leadership environment where creativity, challenge, and fresh thinking are welcomed. If you are a highly motivated leader with the vision, commercial expertise, and determination to transform services and improve outcomes for children and young people, we would love to hear from you. Join us and help shape better futures for children, young people, and families.

Interview Schedule

• 27th August 2026 for Technical Interview
• 1st September 2026 for Panel Assessments
• 3rd September 2026 for Final Interview

Equal Opportunities EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody's identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual's skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview. If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

You will be an experienced commissioning professional with a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes within children's services, social care, health, or related sectors.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has an in-depth understanding of the children and young people's market, including residential care, fostering, SEND, supported accommodation, and health services.
• Brings strong commercial acumen and can confidently manage significant budgets, complex contracts, procurement activity, and market relationships.
• Is a strategic thinker who can identify opportunities, challenge traditional approaches, and develop innovative solutions to complex system challenges.
• Has the confidence and credibility to influence at senior levels across local authorities, NHS organisations, providers, and regional partnerships.
• Thrives under pressure, maintaining focus and delivering outcomes in a demanding and rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and uses intelligence, data, and evidence to inform decision-making.
• Is an inspirational leader who develops high-performing teams, promotes accountability, and creates a culture of continuous improvement.
• Has a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children, young people, and families.