Job summary
Making a difference for children and young people - an exciting opportunity to join the People Commissioning Team as a Commissioning Manager. You’ll lead on a key area of work for Together for Families, driving innovation and collaboration across systems. You’ll develop and deliver commissioning strategies that improve outcomes, promote social value, and ensure high-quality, cost-effective services.
This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives on shaping services through evidence, engagement, and delivery. You’ll work closely with stakeholders and providers, co-designing solutions that respond to need and build capacity in our communities.
Main duties
Lead innovative commissioning that improves lives across Cornwall. Cornwall Council is nationally recognised for its integrated and forward-thinking approach to commissioning. We work in strong partnership across health, education, and social care to deliver services that make a real difference to children, young people, and families.
Details
Date posted: 04 September 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £46,356 to £55,272 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Location: New County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3AY
Job responsibilities
As a Commissioning Manager, you’ll lead on a key area of work within the People Commissioning service (Together for Families), driving innovation and collaboration across systems. You’ll develop and deliver commissioning strategies that improve outcomes, promote social value, and ensure high-quality, cost-effective services.
This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives on shaping services through evidence, engagement, and delivery. You’ll work closely with stakeholders and providers, co-designing solutions that respond to need and build capacity in our communities.
Multiple Roles Available
We are recruiting Commissioning Managers across several key areas:
* Early Years and Prevention
* Looked After Children and Care Leavers
* Children with Disabilities
* Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Please indicate your area(s) of interest in your application.
Your Impact
You’ll be responsible for leading commissioning activity across a defined service area, contributing to the wider strategic direction of the Together for Families Directorate. You’ll manage contracts, shape service specifications, and ensure services deliver against outcomes and value for money.
In this role, you will:
* Lead the development and implementation of commissioning strategies for your service area.
* Work in partnership across health, education, and social care to design integrated pathways and services.
* Manage a portfolio of contracts, ensuring quality, performance, and compliance.
* Identify opportunities for innovation, value for money, social value, and community asset development.
* Represent Cornwall Council at strategic forums and partnership boards.
* Support market development and provider engagement to ensure sufficiency and sustainability.
This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.
Working Pattern
There are 6 FTE roles, with the opportunity to work full or part time. Working patterns are flexible in this role, such as hybrid work arrangements (including time in the office), compressed hours, term-time only and other alternatives. Please indicate your requested working pattern in your application.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines commissioning expertise with creativity and collaboration. You’ll bring:
* Experience in commissioning and contract management across childrens services or related sectors.
* Strong partnership working skills, with the ability to influence and co-design across systems.
* A track record of delivering service improvements and managing complex projects.
* The ability to interpret data, develop strategies, and lead implementation with confidence.
Why Join Us
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead commissioning work that directly improves the lives of children and families in Cornwall. You’ll join a supportive and ambitious team, with the freedom to innovate and the backing to deliver.
Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.
About us
We offer:
* A competitive salary
* Flexible hybrid working
* Generous annual leave, with the option to purchase additional days
* Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
* A nationally recognised employee wellbeing programme
* Access to a wide range of discounts on goods and services
* Relocation support, if applicable
* Investment in your career and development
* The chance to lead work that transforms lives
Other details
Status: Permanent, Full-time/Part-time (flexible)
Disclosures: This post is subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.
Employer details
Cornwall Council
New County Hall
Treyew Road
Truro, Cornwall
TR1 3AY
Employer's website: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/
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