At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation initiatives and shape community services for better outcomes.
- Company: South Gloucestershire Council, dedicated to making a real difference in local communities.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, wellbeing support, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making impactful changes in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in social care commissioning required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
As a Strategic Lead Commissioner within our Partnerships and Commissioning Service, you will play a key role in driving transformation across our services. Being ambitious and collaborative, you will be at the heart of shaping how we work with our communities, providers and system partners to deliver high-quality, sustainable, people-centred services, leading delivery across one of the following posts:
- Post 1: As Strategic Lead within our Commissioning Transformation Programme, you will provide strategic oversight, vision, drive and leadership to a small team across a broad and varied portfolio. The programme is centred around three key themes, with you taking lead responsibility for one: Fair Cost of Care, Accommodation with Support & Mental Health Pathways, Young People Transitioning into Adulthood.
- Post 2: As Strategic Lead for Service Development and Partnerships, you will provide strategic oversight, vision and leadership to your team across a broad range of provision. The team is responsible for delivering all newly commissioned services, leading on recommissioning, strategic planning, and market engagement. It works across the full commissioning cycle, including procurement activity, and includes roles dedicated to co-production and ensuring that people's voices shape and influence every stage of service design and delivery.
It will be your responsibility to oversee complex commissioning reviews, pathway redesign, and service transformation initiatives. To shape a cohesive and sustainable local market, you will foster strong, mature relationships with system partners, VCSE organisations, providers and communities. By driving innovation and continuous improvement, you will embed strengths-based and outcomes-focused approaches. You will develop market-shaping strategies, including workforce sustainability, market sufficiency and future demand modelling.
You must have a degree or professional qualification in social care, health care, public health, housing, business studies, or a related field, or equivalent experience gained within a relevant professional area. Given the elements of this role, you will have a strong track record of leading complex, cross-system programmes with demonstrable impact. You will be a confident strategic thinker with significant experience in adult social care commissioning, partnership development, and/or system transformation, with excellent stakeholder management, relationship-building, and negotiation skills. Proven line management experience is essential, including effectively managing performance and supporting a small team to maximise their potential. Significant experience of commissioning, contracting and performance within a relevant setting is required, alongside a commitment to co-production, inclusion, and improving outcomes for citizens. You will have experience of developing and delivering innovative commissioning strategies or business plans, including needs assessment, market analysis, contract management, and performance evaluation, ideally within social care, health, public health, or housing services.
All applications will be initially reviewed and if you are shortlisted, you will be invited to complete an assessment. If you are successful through this stage, you will be invited to attend an interview. There are two posts available, please indicate on your application if you have a preference. This role is hybrid, with a mixture of working at home, and the office plus other locations, for up to 2/3 days per week, and potentially more frequently during initial induction and orientation. Interviews will take place week commencing 15th June 2026.
We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance - whatever that means for them. We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work. As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities. We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here. We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of. We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life. We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential. We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference. Be part of it!
Strategic Lead Commissioner - Yate employer: South Gloucestershire Council
At South Gloucestershire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values work-life balance and invests in the professional growth of our staff. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our comprehensive training and development programmes ensure that you can thrive in your career. With generous annual leave, employee wellbeing support, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we create an environment where you can make a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Detail:
South Gloucestershire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Lead Commissioner - Yate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it counts.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Lead Commissioner - Yate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in commissioning and partnership development.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at South Gloucestershire Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the key themes of the role, especially if you're applying for one of the specific posts. Brush up on your knowledge of the Fair Cost of Care, Accommodation with Support & Mental Health Pathways, or Young People Transitioning into Adulthood. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your track record in leading complex programmes and driving transformation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewers to see the impact you've made in previous roles.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves fostering strong relationships with various stakeholders, think about how you can convey your relationship-building skills during the interview. Share stories that highlight your ability to collaborate with system partners, VCSE organisations, and communities to deliver high-quality services.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Improvement
Be ready to discuss how you've driven innovation and continuous improvement in your previous roles. Think of examples where you've implemented strengths-based approaches or developed market-shaping strategies. This will show that you align with the council's vision of delivering sustainable, people-centred services.
