At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the implementation of Fair Price for Care and manage complex care placements.
- Company: Join a values-driven organisation dedicated to improving adult social care services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence high-profile services and work collaboratively across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in adult social care while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care brokerage and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Our employees are at the very heart of the services we provide to the community. In return, we will make sure you are rewarded with a great range of staff benefits to support you in and out of work.
Fixed Term Contract
Hours: 37 hours per week across 5 days
Are you passionate about making a difference for people who rely on adult social care services? Do you have the skills to build strong partnerships, drive quality, and ensure the very best from commissioned services? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated, driven individual to lead the operational implementation of the Council’s Fair Price for Care (FPfC) and Rate Banding framework across priority care markets. The post holder will act as the specialist interface between commissioning strategy and operational brokerage activity, ensuring consistent, disciplined and evidence based application of pricing frameworks, complexity bandings and placement decisions. The postholder will provide expert oversight of complex and high value placements, lead provider negotiations where rates are contested and embed new commissioning practices into day to day brokerage processes.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Senior Brokerage lead, you will:
- Lead the operational rollout of rate banding and Fair Price for Care across identified care markets.
- Ensure all new placements and package reviews are aligned to agreed bandings and pricing parameters.
- Develop and embed clear decision‑making tools, guidance and escalation pathways.
- Monitor adherence to pricing ceilings and approved exceptions processes.
- Provide specialist review and decision support for:
- High-cost placements
- Provider rate challenges
- Complex needs cases requiring interpretation of banding
- Lead structured negotiation with providers where rates exceed approved thresholds.
- Ensure transparent and auditable rationale for pricing decisions.
- Provide regular intelligence reports to Strategic Commissioning and relevant governance forums.
- Identify where commissioning frameworks require refinement or adjustment.
- Provide coaching and technical support to brokerage staff.
- Increase confidence in applying banding and Fair Price for Care principles.
- Maintain oversight of exceptions and deviations from pricing frameworks.
- Ensure decisions align with statutory duties, Care Act requirements and council financial controls.
- Support audit readiness and respond to internal or external scrutiny.
- Contribute to savings monitoring.
About You
We’re looking for someone who can confidently operate in a complex environment and build positive working relationships across multiple agencies.
Qualifications
- Experience in adult social care brokerage, commissioning or complex case management.
- Experience working at a management level in social care or a related field.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong understanding of care market pricing and provider cost drivers.
- Experience of negotiation with independent sector providers.
- Experience of operating within financial control frameworks.
- Ability to interpret complex care needs and translate into costed packages.
- Strong analytical, problem solving, negotiation, influencing and organisational skills.
- Ability to balance cost control with quality and statutory responsibilities.
- High levels of professional judgement.
- Confidence operating at senior levels internally and externally.
- Experience working across commissioning and operational interfaces.
- Confident use of IT systems to manage data and reporting.
- Experience of partnership working, consultation and achieving measurable outcomes.
You will also demonstrate our core behaviours: Positive, Honest, Respectful, Flexible, Communicative and Supportive.
What We Offer
The chance to influence high-profile services across the Adults and Health system. A supportive, collaborative and values-led working culture. Opportunities for professional development. Flexible working and a strong focus on wellbeing.
Other Requirements
A full driving licence or the ability to travel independently across Kirklees. Willingness to work flexibly as required.
If you would like an informal discussion about this role, please contact Lauren James-Kinder on 01484 221000.
Contracts Manager (Senior Brokerage Lead) employer: Kirklees Council
As a Contracts Manager (Senior Brokerage Lead) with us, you will be part of a dedicated team that is committed to making a meaningful impact in adult social care services. We offer a supportive and collaborative work culture, alongside opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements that prioritise your wellbeing. Join us in shaping high-profile services while enjoying a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support you both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager (Senior Brokerage Lead)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social care sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Contracts Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in adult social care and the Fair Price for Care framework. Show us that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the industry – it’ll set you apart from the competition!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Brokerage Lead, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to handle tough conversations with providers. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager (Senior Brokerage Lead)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in adult social care brokerage and commissioning. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Contracts Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent verbal and written communication is key for this role, ensure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well. We’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively across multiple agencies!
Highlight Your Negotiation Experience:Don’t forget to mention any past experiences where you’ve successfully negotiated with providers or managed complex cases. We value strong negotiation skills, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to balance cost control with quality.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of adult social care brokerage and the Fair Price for Care framework. Familiarise yourself with the key principles and recent developments in the sector, as this will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially those involving complex cases or high-cost placements. Be ready to discuss how you navigated challenges and achieved positive outcomes, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving and decision-making in a complex environment. Think of specific instances where your analytical skills made a difference, particularly in relation to pricing frameworks and cost control.
✨Build Rapport
Since the role involves working across multiple agencies, practice building rapport with your interviewers. Show that you can communicate effectively and foster positive relationships, which is essential for a Senior Brokerage Lead.
