At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Families First Partnership Programme to improve child health services across Hampshire and surrounding areas.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while collaborating with diverse partners.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in children's health commissioning and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 € per year.
We are seeking an experienced senior commissioning leader to play a pivotal role in delivering the Family First Partnership Programme across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.
This is a high-impact role where you will act as the leading voice for NHS commissioning and safeguarding, driving integration across health, local authority and voluntary sector partners. Working closely with system leaders, you will translate strategic priorities into tangible improvements in child health services and outcomes for children, young people and families.
About the Programme
The Family First Partnership Programme brings together partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to:
- Improve outcomes for children, young people and families
- Integrate child health services
- Embed safeguarding in all commissioning activity
- Tackle inequalities and deliver sustainable service pathways
Key Responsibilities
As Senior Health Commissioning Manager, you will:
- Lead the delivery of commissioning priorities for child health services across the ICS
- Act as the key link between NHS commissioning and local authority programme leads
- Translate strategy into clear, deliverable plans with measurable outcomes
- Ensure commissioned services meet quality, safeguarding, statutory and financial requirements
- Undertake population health analysis to identify service gaps and inform change
- Build strong partnerships across NHS, local authority and voluntary sector organisations
- Lead engagement with families, carers and people with lived experience to shape services
- Represent the programme at senior forums and multi-agency partnerships
The ideal candidate
You are a senior, strategic commissioning leader with extensive experience in children's health and care, capable of operating effectively within complex, multi-agency environments spanning health, local authority, and voluntary sector systems. You bring a strong track record of leading transformation, influencing at senior levels, and delivering measurable improvements in outcomes for children, young people, and families.
You are confident navigating ambiguity and complexity, working across organisational boundaries to align priorities, resources, and delivery. You combine deep subject matter expertise with strong strategic insight, enabling you to translate national policy, safeguarding responsibilities, and integrated care system priorities into practical, high-impact commissioning solutions. You are equally comfortable leading programmes, shaping service models, and providing assurance at senior governance forums.
You are highly collaborative in approach, building trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including clinicians, commissioners, local authority leaders, and community partners. You are committed to co-production, ensuring that the voices of children, families, and carers are central to service design and improvement. With excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making skills, you are able to balance competing demands, manage risk, and drive sustainable, system-wide change.
Important: Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention to the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
Working Arrangements
A minimum of 2 days per week office based in line with PCC policy.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Luke Varndell.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page. You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship on this role.
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles. Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team.
Senior Health Commissioning Manager - Families First Partnership Programme - Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, particularly through the Families First Partnership Programme. With a strong commitment to values such as respect, integrity, and collaboration, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises inclusivity and professional growth. The role offers unique opportunities to lead transformative initiatives in child health services while working closely with diverse stakeholders, ensuring that the voices of families and children are central to service design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Health Commissioning Manager - Families First Partnership Programme - Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the health commissioning field. Attend local events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Families First Partnership Programme thoroughly. Understand their goals and challenges, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested and knowledgeable.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in child health services can drive integration and improve outcomes. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave them wanting to know more about you!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the organisation there. Let’s get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Health Commissioning Manager - Families First Partnership Programme - Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Profile Thoroughly:Before you start writing, make sure to read the full job profile. It’s crucial to understand what they’re looking for, especially the 'Who is the Person' section. This will help you tailor your personal statement effectively.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When crafting your personal statement, use specific examples from your experience that align with the key responsibilities of the role. Highlight how your past work has led to measurable improvements in child health services or outcomes.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your points are easy to understand. Remember, they want to see how you can translate complex strategies into practical solutions.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us at Portsmouth City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know the Programme Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Families First Partnership Programme. Familiarise yourself with its goals, key stakeholders, and how it integrates health services across the region. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Health Commissioning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare specific examples of how you've led transformation in child health services or similar areas. Highlight measurable outcomes from your past roles to show your impact.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires strong partnerships across various sectors. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with NHS, local authorities, and community partners. Share stories that illustrate your collaborative approach and how it has led to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex environments. Think about challenges you've faced in commissioning roles and how you navigated them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
