Overview
The Head of Business Development & Commissioning leads a high-performing team to manage placements for children with brain injury and neurodisability. The role focuses on frontline services and placements, driving service development in line with the organisation's strategy and maximising income generating opportunities.
The Childrens Trust is the UKs leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing rehabilitation, education, therapy and care at our Tadworth centre and across the UK via our Community Rehabilitation Service. We are the largest NHS England commissioned centre for Category A neurorehabilitation.
Role responsibilities
The HoBD&C plays a critical role in coordinating and delivering childrens placements. You will lead strategic and operational management of placements, ensuring robust business and pathway processes are embedded across the placements team and wider multidisciplinary workforce. This includes ensuring placements are appropriately managed, funded, and aligned with the childs clinical and care needs. You will secure funding for placements, ensure full cost recovery, and contribute to income generation through budgeting, forecasting and strategic business development. A key part is driving growth by identifying and developing new opportunities to meet and where possible exceed income targets. The postholder will lead and develop the business development, placements and commissioning team, manage key accounts and referral pipelines, and build trusted relationships with local authorities, commissioners, NHS colleagues and families. You will attend external events, support the key accounts plan, and represent The Childrens Trust to external partners as a credible ambassador.
Strategy development and implementation
Support development and implementation of the organisations overarching strategy and the business development strategy to drive referrals and income generation. Stay informed of commissioning landscapes (NHS national, regional and local; local authorities; private sectors) and ensure processes and contracts align accordingly. Monitor demand, market trends, and competition to identify opportunities and mitigate risks. Champion externally to build and maximise opportunities aligned to strategy and priorities.
Business Development
Lead development of the organisations Business Development Strategy and key account strategy. Manage allocated key accounts when required and oversee the contractual relationship with NHS England and regional NHS Boards and local ICBs, including reporting and contract negotiations. Collaborate with senior leaders to manage communications with professional audiences and those using services. Support Senior Placement Managers to promote effective internal and external relationships.
Location and fees and hours Details of posting, salary and location are listed below in the Details section.
Responsibilities – Placement Management
Lead bed planning activities (admissions/discharges), monitor delays and capacity, chair internal panels, and ensure timely communications. Develop and continuously improve policies and systems covering the full placement journey (inquiry to discharge/transition). Oversee changes in tier, status and placement type (day/residential) to support care and business continuity.
Responsibilities – Commissioning and Contract Management
Collaborate on pricing and costing models for full cost recovery; lead annual inflation uplift; implement funder notifications, negotiations and reporting. Oversee contract positions and mitigate risk; escalate to legal where needed. Support billing, align with account management, and ensure KPIs and service levels are met. Lead strategic and block contract negotiations with the Medical Director and senior stakeholders.
Strategy, business development and leadership
Contribute to strategy development and monitor commissioning landscape (public and private sectors). Analyse demand and competition to inform service improvements and mitigate risks. Champion external relationships and lead the business development function to maximise opportunities. Produce high-quality reports for SLT, committees and the Board and chair the Placement Business Meetings. Lead induction, coaching and development of team members, maintain professional boundaries and adhere to organisational policies.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
* First degree in a relevant field or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Experience in a similar role with complex business processes and commissioning arrangements.
* Experience negotiating and securing funding and contracts with strong influencing skills.
* Proven relationship management and leadership capabilities; ability to coach and mentor a high-performing team.
* Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret market data; resilience and ability to influence a range of audiences.
* Ability to prioritise work, meet tight deadlines and manage multiple stakeholders.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office and related systems.
Experience
* Experience in healthcare or multi-disciplinary settings; experience managing complexity and fluctuating demands; contract negotiation and management experience in healthcare or social care.
Personal qualities
* Commitment to the vision and values of The Childrens Trust; flexible, motivated and reliable; able to work independently and within a demanding environment.
* Commitment to wellbeing of colleagues and self-care.
Details
Date posted: 05 September 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £63,090 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: B0474-25-0116
Job locations: The Childrens Trust, Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU
About us
The Childrens Trust is the UKs leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK via our Brain Injury Community Service.
We are based on a 24-acre site in Surrey, near London, accessible by road (M25, A217) and by National Rail from Clapham Junction, Sutton and Epsom.
Staff Benefits
We offer an attractive salary and a range of benefits, including adoption pay, fertility treatment leave, enhanced paternity leave, paid carers leave, menopause leave, and gender reassignment leave. Annual leave ranges from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on length of service. Other benefits include on-site parking, staff shuttle from Epsom/Sutton, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), NHS pension options, and opportunities for career development.
Employer details
Employer: The Children's Trust
Address: Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5RU
Employer website: https://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/jobs
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