We are looking for an autonomous, focused and skilled Commissioning Manager to develop the infrastructure for borough‑based commissioning services for children and young people under our social care and education provision. The post holder will oversee strategic commissioning, ensuring the best use of resources to achieve optimum health and social care outcomes.
You will be joining the Integrated Commissioning team, which is a highly skilled team operating across the London Borough of Bexley and NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB). You will also work closely with Children’s Services, namely Children’s Social Care, and be engaged and involved in the Future Bexley Programme of Children’s Transformation.
Responsibilities
* Conduct a full review of children’s commissioned services and current commissioning arrangements to develop its future operating model and meet efficiency targets
* Review current service provision within the Placements Team, assessing demand and capacity, providing recommendations and future proofing commissioning activities
* Engage in activities of strategic commissioning, including market engagement, market shaping and provider relationships
* Engage with Children’s Services brokerage functions and its roles and responsibilities, including quality assurance
* Liaise directly with the Children’s Commissioning and Specialist Placements Team Manager
* Scan the horizon for opportunities and work in partnership with the private sector in market stimulation to ensure best care value for children in care
You will have experience of commissioning, procurement or project management, preferably in Children’s Social Care or a related field. You must have a commitment to the provision of high‑quality services for users and careers and to building partnerships with providers from the voluntary, community and private sectors.
You will have experience in stakeholder management within a complex delivery system, showing sustained good results and performance management. You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of current issues in Children’s Health and Social Care commissioning.
You will be able to work effectively to deadlines and be able to prioritise your own workload. You will also demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret Financial Regulations and contract procedure rules where required. You will be able to work as a team with peers across the council and the Integrated Care Board, supporting, enabling and innovative to contribute to offer new opportunities and contribute to sustaining placement stability and good outcomes for children in care.
It is vital that the successful candidate is an innovative, strategic thinker focused on delivering results, value for money, whilst ensuring the best outcomes for our children in care.
Qualification Reference
For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role, please refer to the Person Specification within the Job Description attached.
Location and Base
Base: You will be based in our Civic Offices at Bexleyheath but will be expected to travel throughout South East London and further afield when required. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to be office based at least three days a week.
N.B.: Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application Process
* Closing date for your application: 11 / 06 / 2026
* CVs will not be accepted unless they are submitted with a completed application form.
* Anticipated interview date: week commencing 29 / 06 / 2026
For an informal discussion about the role please contact: Gita Prasad, Director of Integrated Commissioning, London Borough of Bexley, South East London Integrated Care Board (Bexley); email: gita.prasad@bexley.gov.uk, telephone: 020 3045 3174.
Benefits
We will offer you a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays. For more information on the benefits package on offer please refer to the Candidate Information document attached.
Recruitment Information
As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@bexley.gov.uk.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Secondment Opportunity
This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees. The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.
We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.
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