At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Home Finding & Support Service operations for vulnerable children.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving outcomes for children and families in Northamptonshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with 2 days in the office and a competitive daily rate.
- Other info: This is an interim role until November 2025, offering a chance to shape vital services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in brokerage/operational commissioning and strong knowledge of children's services legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Commissioning Manager – Home Finding & Support Service / Brokerage Team Manager (Interim) at Venn Group, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. Location: Northamptonshire (Ideally 2 days in office per week). Contract: Until end of November 2025 initially. Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday. DBS: Enhanced (Child Only) required. Start Date: ASAP.
Pay
Base pay range: This range is provided by Venn Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
About the Role
Our client is seeking an experienced Commissioning Manager with strong brokerage (operational commissioning) skills to lead their Home Finding & Support Service. This is a pivotal role managing both the operational leadership of the service and ensuring high quality, evidence-based placements for vulnerable children and young people. You will work closely with the Service Manager to shape services that meet statutory sufficiency duties, deliver best value, and improve outcomes for children and their families.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Home Finding & Support Service operations
- Oversee brokerage activities ensuring timely, high-quality, value-for-money placements
- Review and improve operational processes, policies, and joint funding arrangements
- Negotiate with providers and develop team skills in provider engagement
- Embed benchmarking tools and Circle to Success in provider discussions
- Develop strong market relationships to meet local sufficiency duties
- Support cultural change within the service
- Contribute to the annual service plan
Qualifications
- Proven experience in brokerage/operational commissioning within children’s services
- Strong knowledge of children’s services legislation, commissioning cycles, and sufficiency duties
- Excellent negotiation, relationship-building, and project management skills
- Ability to manage complex budgets and produce clear, analytical reports
- Experience of working with public, private, and voluntary sector organisations at both strategic and operational levels
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Contract
Job function
- Management and Other
Industries
- Government Administration
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Commissioning Manager employer: Venn Group
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in children's services and operational commissioning. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific needs and challenges of the Northamptonshire area regarding children's services. Understanding local issues will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and relationship-building experiences in detail during interviews. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed complex budgets and improved service delivery in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the 'Circle to Success' framework and other benchmarking tools mentioned in the job description. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these concepts will show your readiness to contribute effectively from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in brokerage and operational commissioning, particularly within children's services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in negotiation, relationship-building, and project management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that directly addresses the key responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description. Explain how your background aligns with the role and express your passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
Highlight Relevant Experience:In your application, emphasise any previous roles where you managed operations or led teams in similar settings. Discuss your familiarity with children’s services legislation and your ability to manage complex budgets.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial for a managerial role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Showcase Your Brokerage Experience
Make sure to highlight your previous experience in brokerage and operational commissioning, especially within children's services. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed placements and improved service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Legislation
Familiarise yourself with relevant children’s services legislation and sufficiency duties. During the interview, confidently reference these laws and how they impact your approach to commissioning and service management.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiation is a key part of this role, think of past situations where you successfully negotiated with providers. Be ready to discuss your strategies and the outcomes, showcasing your relationship-building skills.
✨Discuss Your Analytical Skills
The role requires managing complex budgets and producing analytical reports. Prepare to talk about your experience with budget management and how you use data to inform decision-making and improve service outcomes.
