Head of Commissioning - Adults

Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council is seeking a strategic leader to serve as Head of Commissioning – Adults.

This senior role leads major transformation across Adult Social Care and Public Health, shaping how services are commissioned for residents across the city.

• Job Details
• Directorate: Adults Social Care & All Age Commissioning
• Section: All Age Commissioning
• Location: Civic Centre
• Grade: SM4
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Open to both internal and external applicants

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic commissioning plans across Adult Social Care and Public Health.
• Drive large‑scale transformation programmes, service redesign and innovation for externally commissioned services and in‑house provision to improve outcomes and deliver sustainable savings.
• Provide strategic leadership for market shaping, provider relationships and commissioning activity, ensuring high‑quality, value‑for‑money services.
• Build strong partnerships with NHS colleagues, providers, communities and other stakeholders to deliver integrated, person‑centred services.
• Lead and support statutory improvement activity, including CQC Assurance and Adult Social Care market sustainability requirements.
• Manage significant budgets and commissioning programmes, providing expert advice and assurance to senior leaders, elected members and strategic boards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of strategic commissioning, service transformation and change delivery within local government, health or the wider public sector.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of leading high‑performing teams and delivering results in complex environments.
• Experience of managing large budgets, delivering savings programmes and applying commercial thinking to improve outcomes and value for money.
• Excellent partnership building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across organisations, including health partners, providers and elected members.
• Extensive knowledge of Adult Social Care commissioning, procurement and contract management, together with relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks.
• A strategic and innovative mindset, with the ability to use data, insight and evidence to shape services, drive improvement and deliver better outcomes for residents.

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on skills, experience and talent.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme.
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes.
• Further information on our rewards and benefits can be found on the council website.
• Pre‑Employment Checks
• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

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