Job Description
Commissioning Manager – Home Finding & Support Service
Northamptonshire’s Children Trust – NN1 1ED
Hours Per Week: 37
Contract Duration: 3 – 6 Months (initial), with potential for extension or permanent position based on performance and experience
Additional Benefits: Enhanced Child DBS needed, Flexible Working
I am currently representing Northamptonshire’s Children Trust, which is offering an initial temporary contract for 3 – 6 months, with a view to extension or a permanent role for the right candidate. The rate is negotiable depending on experience.
Location: NN1 1ED
Key Accountabilities:
* Reporting to the Service Manager and/or Strategic Manager for the Commissioning and Strategy function, overseeing all internal and external commissioned services.
* Ensuring services meet outcomes specified in the NCT Business Plan and deliver improved outcomes for children and families.
* Leading and delivering evidence-based services for vulnerable children, ensuring high-quality services aligned with best value principles and strategic priorities.
* Providing operational leadership and management for the Home Finding and Support Service.
* Reviewing policies and processes, implementing changes to improve operational efficiency.
* Reviewing joint funding arrangements and embedding consistent practice to enhance partner contributions.
* Developing provider negotiation approaches and enhancing team skills in this area.
* Embedding circle to success and benchmarking tools in discussions with providers.
* Developing relationships with the external market and working across services to address Northamptonshire’s Sufficiency duties.
* Ensuring services are commissioned to meet statutory and local requirements, matching services to needs.
* Implementing cultural change in collaboration with the service manager.
* Contributing to the annual service plan.
Requirements:
* Degree level education (essential)
* Management Studies qualification (e.g., PgCMS, PgDMS, MBA) (essential)
* Good understanding of Children’s Services, current legislation, and initiatives (essential)
* Solid experience of the commissioning cycle and strategic management frameworks (essential)
* Knowledge of the Government’s agenda for modernising Children’s Services.
* Understanding of local authority’s sufficiency duties for Looked After Children, Early Years, and other vulnerable groups.
* Experience in strategic development of Children’s Services.
* Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners (essential).
* Strong operational project management skills (essential).
* Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, capable of producing clear reports and presenting at all levels.
* Competence in designing and developing information systems, with good IT skills (essential).
* Solid budget management skills, capable of managing complex budgets and expenditure controls (essential).
* Experience working in a commissioning environment at strategic and operational levels with diverse sectors.
* In-depth experience managing a Brokerage Service ensuring quality placements that are cost-effective (essential).
* Ability to establish and develop monitoring systems for service development.
* Risk assessment skills and strategic prioritisation.
* Effective liaison and negotiation skills with various stakeholders, including service users and carers.
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