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- Tasks: Lead Nottingham’s Brokerage and Placements Service to secure homes for children in care.
- Company: Join Nottingham City Council, a progressive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence market decisions and improve outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping the future of care services.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading brokerage or placements for children in care is essential.
The predicted salary is between 56730 - 60125 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Worker Type: Hybrid Worker
Salary: Starting Salary is £56,730 (Level one) rising to £60,125 per annum (pro rata for part-time) (Pay award pending)
Location: Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG
We’ve got an exciting opportunity available for talented individuals to join our workforce. Working for Nottingham City Council has great benefits, including competitive pay, great leave entitlement and access to a generous pension scheme. We strive to create an innovative, inclusive and progressive work culture where everyone is supported to do and be their very best.
This role leads Nottingham’s Brokerage and Placements Service, securing homes and support for children in a market that is increasingly constrained, costly and complex. A core focus is children in care and high-cost, high-risk placements, where timely decisions directly affect safety, stability and outcomes.
This is a role for someone who is comfortable operating where:
- Demand exceeds supply
- Costs are high and under scrutiny
- Decisions carry real risk and consequence
What you will do:
- Lead complex placement searches, including cases where provision is limited or unavailable
- Take ownership of high-cost packages, working with senior leaders to manage financial risk
- Challenge and negotiate with providers to secure appropriate placements at sustainable cost
- Drive pace and grip in the system, ensuring delays and drift are addressed
- Use brokerage intelligence to inform commissioning priorities and market shaping
- Lead a team delivering under pressure, setting clear expectations and standards
About you:
This role is aimed at candidates who have done this work, not just worked alongside it. You will bring:
- Direct experience of leading brokerage or placements for children in care or complex needs
- A strong understanding of placement sufficiency, market dynamics and provider behaviours
- Experience of securing placements in challenging circumstances, where there is no straightforward option
- Confidence in holding providers to account and negotiating on price and delivery
- A clear grasp of risk, safeguarding and statutory responsibilities
- The ability to make clear, defensible decisions at pace
You are likely to be:
- A current Service Manager, Senior Manager or equivalent in a local authority or provider organisation
- Known for getting things done in difficult situations, not just managing process
- Comfortable working with senior leaders and making recommendations that will be challenged
What success looks like:
- Children are placed more quickly, in the right homes
- Fewer escalations and delays in placement searches
- Stronger grip on costs and provider negotiations
- A brokerage service that is trusted, consistent and outcome-focused
This role sits at the centre of our work to improve placement sufficiency, financial sustainability and outcomes for children. You will have the space and backing to challenge how things are done, influence commissioning and market decisions, and make a visible difference to children’s lives.
For informal enquiries please contact Karla Banfield, Head of Service by email at karla.banfield@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Closing Date(s): 13th May 2026
Please note there may be occasions where we close the advert before the closing date and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be held: TBC
If you have any technical issues when completing your application, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support
Service Manager - Brokerage & Placements in Nottingham employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Contact Detail:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Brokerage & Placements in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Service Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Nottingham City Council’s values and recent initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to improve lives in the community. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the right fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves challenging providers and securing placements, brush up on your negotiation tactics. Role-play scenarios with a friend to build confidence and ensure you can articulate your approach clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Nottingham City Council and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Brokerage & Placements in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in brokerage and placements. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and get straight to the point. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through! We’re looking for candidates who are genuinely committed to improving the lives of children in care, so share your motivation and experiences that reflect this.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the brokerage and placements landscape, especially regarding children in care. Brush up on market dynamics, provider behaviours, and the challenges faced in securing placements. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led complex placement searches or negotiated with providers. Highlight situations where you made tough decisions under pressure, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for in a candidate.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be ready to talk about your leadership style. Share how you set clear expectations and standards, and how you motivate your team to deliver under pressure. They want to see that you can drive pace and grip in the system.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current challenges in placement sufficiency or how they measure success in their brokerage service. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.