Service Manager - Education Commissioning - Portsmouth

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to take on the newly created role of Service Manager Education Commissioning. This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead education commissioning across the city, ensuring children and young people have access to high-quality, sustainable and effective educational provision.

You'll play a pivotal role in meeting statutory responsibilities, improving outcomes and driving value for money across the education system. This is a full time 37 hour role; however, part-time 4 days or more would be considered for the right candidate.

About the Role

Working closely with education providers, schools, trusts, regional partners and internal stakeholders, you will help ensure the sufficiency, quality and long-term sustainability of education provision across Portsmouth. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the full commissioning cycle, from needs assessment and market engagement through to procurement, contract management and performance review.
• Developing commissioning strategies that support statutory duties, SEND priorities and sufficiency planning.
• Shaping the local education market to increase capacity, improve quality and reduce reliance on expensive out-of-area provision.
• Managing high-value contracts and commissioning budgets.
• Establishing quality assurance and performance frameworks that improve outcomes and maintain high safeguarding standards.
• Providing expert advice to senior leaders and representing the council at strategic meetings and partnership forums.
• Leading and developing a new commissioning team, promoting a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate

We are looking for a highly capable professional with significant experience in commissioning, service leadership or strategic programme management within a complex public-sector environment. You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of education systems, particularly SEND and alternative provision.
• Experience of commissioning, procurement, contract management and service improvement.
• A track record of managing significant budgets and high-value contracts.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead complex system-wide change.
• Excellent analytical, communication and negotiation skills.
• A collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Experience of education, SEND or alternative provision commissioning would be advantageous.

Working Arrangements: You will be required to work a minimum of 2 days in the office each week, with the option to work remotely 1-2 days per week.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email: Alison Critchley.

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.

Application process: We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job 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.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under our corporate commitments and meet the minimum criteria.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Safeguarding: Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of 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.