Head of Strategic Commissioning - Adult Social Care in Wokingham

Be part of a nationally recognised success story in adult social care! We have an excellent opportunity available for an exceptional leader to join our Adult Social Care Directorate as Head of Strategic Commissioning, on a full time, permanent basis. As the Head of Strategic Commissioning, you'll lead the transformation of Adult Social Care and Health services to deliver better outcomes, greater value for money, and a sustainable, high-quality care system for Wokingham residents. You'll design and deliver innovative, person-centred commissioning strategies and co-producing services that reflect local needs. Through strong partnerships with health, voluntary and community organisations, and people with lived experience, you'll shape sustainable care markets using data and insight, while championing equality, inclusion, and innovation in all you do. This role will be at the heart of our transformation journey, one that has recently been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as among the best in the country. Following a comprehensive inspection in 2025, Wokingham's adult social care services were rated "Good" overall, with "Outstanding" scores in Partnerships & Communities and Learning, Improvement & Innovation. We achieved one of the highest scores nationally (81%) - a powerful endorsement of our commitment to quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Benefits:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

Key responsibilities:

• Delivering high quality planning, commissioning, and improvement processes to drive change, innovation and excellence in social care commissioning in line with national and local priorities.
• Providing operational and strategic leadership of the adults commissioning service ensuring the required outputs and outcomes are achieved in line with the council's vision, goals and objectives.
• Leading the commissioning of good quality and affordable social care and health care services which meet the needs of adults in the borough of Wokingham.
• Manage a small team of commissioners, to drive commissioning activities, ensuring best value and achieve a balanced budget, creatively drawing on a wide range of resources and assets as appropriate.
• Ensuring that best value is achieved through the commissioning of individual placements and support the sufficiency within the local social care market.

Candidate requirements:

• We're looking for a strategic thinker and experienced leader who can:
• Translate national policy into local action with measurable impact.
• Inspire and lead high-performing teams, delivering innovation and excellence in social care commissioning.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the Care Act, commissioning cycles, and integrated care systems.
• Build trust and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Bring creativity, resilience, and a passion for improving lives.
• Educated to degree-level or equivalent relevant professional qualifications or expertise.
• Has significant experience of successfully managing a strategic service, including people, budgets and performance.
• Understanding of the political landscape, legislative frameworks, and regional and national drivers surrounding the areas covered within the portfolio.

Our area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today! Alternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Wesley Hedger, Service Director - Adult Social Care - Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning at Wesley.Hedger@wokingham.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 7th December 2025, 11pm

Technical Interviews Date: 15th December 2025

Final Panel Interviews Date: 19th December 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. We will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

How to apply: Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.