At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of impactful adult social care services.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Harrow, dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence significant budget decisions.
- Why this job: Shape services that enhance health and wellbeing for older adults.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning services and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52100 £ per year.
Are you ready to shape adult social care services that make a real difference to people’s lives? The London Borough of Harrow is looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Strategic Commissioning Manager to lead the design and delivery of high-impact services across Adult Social Care and Public Health. This is a pivotal role with influence across £70m+ of commissioned and contracted service provision, delivering improved health, wellbeing, independence and quality of life and outcomes for people across Harrow.
The role will also play a key part in working across the Council, health, providers and voluntary sector partners to transform how services are designed and delivered – with an increasing focus on preventative and early support within the community.
Leading within the Age Well portfolio, you will:
- Shape and deliver innovative commissioning solutions to improve outcomes for older adults across homecare and reablement, residential and nursing care, extra care housing, support for unpaid carers.
- Drive collaboration and integration across health and social care working closely with Public Health, West and North London Integrated Care System and the Harrow Borough Based Partnership.
- Lead end-to-end commissioning projects from needs analysis and strategy through to procurement, mobilisation and ongoing contract management.
- Build effective partnerships with providers, system partners, community organisations and residents - using engagement and co-production to understand need and inform service design.
- Influence significant budget and investment decisions and ensure services are responsive, high-quality, sustainable and deliver value for money.
You will also represent Harrow at borough, regional and system level - bringing insight, leadership and credibility to key programmes and partnerships.
About You We’re looking for someone who combines the passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable people with strategic thinking and delivery focus. You will bring:
- Strong experience of commissioning services for older adults within adult social care, public health or health systems.
- Proven experience and ability to analyse data, understand need and translate this into effective service strategy and design.
- The ability to lead change and transformation across complex partnerships.
- Experience of developing and implementing contract and market management approaches to shape a sustainable, high-quality and responsive care market.
- Experience of stakeholder and provider engagement including overseeing collaborative forums and alliances to build effective relationships across the market.
- Confidence working at pace, influencing senior stakeholders and navigating political environments.
For an informal conversation about the role please contact Robert Mackenzie-Wilson, Head of Service - Age Well Commissioning.
Strategic Commissioning Manager employer: Harrow Council
The London Borough of Harrow is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of its residents through innovative adult social care services. With a strong focus on collaboration and community engagement, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside the opportunity to influence significant budget decisions and service delivery in a vibrant and diverse environment. Join us in shaping the future of health and wellbeing in Harrow, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Commissioning Manager
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Harrow Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Harrow Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Harrow Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Harrow Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Commissioning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Harrow Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Harrow Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrow Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
