Sandwell Children’s Trust are recruiting for a Commissioning & Contracts Management Officer
We’re building on our “Good” rating and looking for a key role in our Commissioning & Home Finding Teams. If you bring relevant experience, knowledge, and an innovative, commercially aware, child‑centred approach, we want to hear from you.
The ‘Sandwell Deal’ outlines our benefits and expectations:
* Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long‑service recognition.
* Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
* A generous local government career average pension scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
* Service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
* Flexible working patterns and well‑defined career progression.
* Competitive expenses for mileage (55p per mile) and subsistence, plus access to a comprehensive employee benefits scheme.
£42,839 – £48,226 per annum, dependent on experience, plus excellent benefits.
Hybrid working – full time, 37 hours per week.
Role Summary
This role, reporting to the Team Manager for Commissioning, leads the commissioning of a portfolio of work including Youth Justice support and the development of new and innovative solutions to help the Trust meet its sufficiency duty to provide stable, loving homes for the children we support. The incumbent ensures quality, value for money, and outcome‑focused support to meet the needs of children and families.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead on the development and monitor the implementation of commissioning and activity in relation to stable, loving homes for children, Youth Justice support services and broader preventative support services, ensuring alignment with the Trust’s Plans, Families First, the Sufficiency Strategy, safeguarding priorities, national and regional policy, and maximising best value for money.
* Lead the development of new services and support for children with disabilities, provisions for emergency beds, PACE beds, and homes within or near Sandwell for children with complex needs.
Required Skills & Experience
* Educated to a minimum Level 4 or Degree qualification or equivalent, and a minimum of 3 years’ experience of undertaking commissioning, service development, and procurement activities.
* Minimum 2 years’ experience of developing and coproducing service specifications for new and redesigned services with key stakeholders.
* Minimum 2 years’ experience of using standing orders and financial regulations within a statutory organisation.
* Minimum 2 years’ experience of tendering and contract/performance management.
* Substantial experience of commissioning services in a public sector context.
* Ability to develop detailed options appraisals and cost/benefit methodology.
* Experience of whole‑cycle commissioning and service redesign activities and meaningful coproduction throughout all associated work.
* Knowledge of local authority procurement, frameworks and commissioning services, particularly children home frameworks.
If you would like an informal conversation about this role, please contact Martyn Baggaley, Head of Commissioning & Provider Services via email martyn_baggaley@sandwellchildrenstrust.org.
Interviews to be held on Thursday 7th May.
To apply, please click the link below to complete an application form and view the Sandwell Deal: https://sandwelldeal.co.uk/apply/
By joining our team, you will make a real difference in the lives of children and families. We are dedicated to driving meaningful change and ensuring the best outcomes for those we serve. It’s an exciting time to join Sandwell Children’s Trust and become part of our family.
Sandwell Children’s Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people.
If you require further information on the role or working for us, please email recruitment_childrenstrust@sandwell.gov.uk and a member of our Recruitment Team will be happy to give you a call.
#J-18808-Ljbffr