Senior CYP Mental Health Commissioning Manager - B8b
ONLY THOSE CURRENTLY SUBSTANTIVELY EMPLOYED BY AN NHS ORGANISATION IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND MAY APPLY. ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
The ICB Strategic Commissioning team is responsible for an exciting and diverse portfolio inclusive of Babies, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities, Autism, SEND and Specialised Commissioning. Our work necessitates strong partnership working, collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders and ambitious aspirations for our population.
This post is responsible for strategically leading the development of improved performance and service delivery in a range of service areas across the childrens mental health economy, promoting quality improvement and leading on a range of programmes addressing performance and service issues, working with partners to support implementation. Key to this is delivery of various SEND partnership plans alongside ICB Operational Planning and 10-year plan commitments.
*Interviews will be held on 1st and 2nd of June 2026
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will have a strong commissioning background, with demonstrable knowledge and expertise of local and national plans to improve outcomes for children and young people. We welcome applications from professionals confident to manage large and diverse portfolios of work in place to address the population needs of children and young people across Essex. The post holder would be expected to;
Deputise for the Director of Commissioning, as required, and representing the ICB at stakeholder meetings
Work with peers to develop and lead the CYP commissioning team, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members
Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
Present information and training to large groups
Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed
Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of projects that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
Implement policy and / or service developments related to Babies, Children and Young people
Develop project plans to drive delivery of complex projects relating to Babies, Children and Young people
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all age, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The Greater Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Greater Essex, including Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the Greater Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
The ICB Strategic Commissioning team is responsible for an exciting and diverse portfolio inclusive of Babies, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities, Autism, SEND and Specialised Commissioning. Our work necessitates strong partnership working, collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders and ambitious aspirations for our population.
This post is responsible for strategically leading the development of improved performance and service delivery in a range of service areas across the childrens mental health economy, promoting quality improvement and leading on a range of programmes addressing performance and service issues, working with partners to support implementation. Key to this is delivery of various SEND partnership plans alongside ICB Operational Planning and 10-year plan commitments.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Nursing Directorate in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
* From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population-based approaches to commissioning.
* From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
* From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence-based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
* Implement policy and / or service developments related to Babies, Children and Young people, interpreting requirements from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan
* Ensure compliance with relevant ICB policies
* Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
Strategy and analysis
* Use of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making
* Analysis of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to Babies, Children and Young people
* Turning analysis into useful insights that can be used to inform decision making
* Present highly complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings
* Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
Planning and organisation
* Develop project plans to drive delivery of complex projects relating to Babies, Children and Young people
* Manage delivery against agreed project plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
* Develop and oversee annual business plan for Babies, Children and Young people
Communications and Partnerships
* Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
* Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
* Present information and training to large groups
* Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed
* Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
* Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of projects that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
* Share complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
* Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery
Financial and resource management
* Responsible for management of budget for Babies, Children and Young people and ensuring delivery against the agreed budget
* Supports procurement of relevant services
Team management and capability building
* Develop and lead the CYP commissioning team, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members
* Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition
* Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
* Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements
* Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition
* Supporting effective Information Asset Management for the team
Other
* Deputising for the Director of Commissioning, as required, and representing the ICB at stakeholder meetings
* Use initiative and work with independency to deliver on requirements of the role
* Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
* Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organisation, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the education, health and care system. Key relationships will be with:
* ICB senior leadership
* Information Governance team
* Health & Wellbeing Board officers
* Local Authority partners
* Education
* NHS Providers
* NHSEI regional partners
* VCFSE sector, local health entrepreneurs, campaigns groups and social media influencers and local employers
Person Specification
Personal Attributes and Values
* Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wide health system
* Demonstrates professionalism, self-awareness and emotional intelligence, with an understanding of own strengths and limitations
* Takes personal responsibility and works with a high level of integrity
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Strategy and Analysis
* A good understanding of current health and social care national aims and policy, and other determinants that impact on healthcare provision
* Experience using analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex problems, ability to recognise policy implications and how to manage potential competing priorities / interests in developing strategies
* Strong data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, including an understanding of analytical methods and how to use data to support Population Health Management
* Experience translating complex information into clear communications for a range of audiences, including to deliver effective reports to senior leadership
* Experience scoping and delivering effective evaluations of projects and interventions, including understanding relevant data and evaluation tools and methods for formal and informal evaluations
* Experience using proven programme service development and project management methodologies to ensure delivery
* Enthusiasm for and experience of championing the critical role of technology and digitalisation in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery and associated outcomes
* Able to use research and innovation effectively to improve outcomes
People and Culture
* Experience in building and maintaining high functioning teams, including recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary
* Evidence of compassionate leadership and experience in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity
* A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise
Governance and Assurance
* Previous experience of leading projects that require collective decision making and how to negotiate success in those situations
* A good understanding effective corporate governance and the route for decision making within the ICB
* A good understanding of effective system partnerships and governance
Experience
* Experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other)
* Experience of strategic leadership in relevant commissioning functions as outlined in the ICB model blueprint
* Experience of managing sensitive situations with patients, families, or carers and/or with wider advocating agencies
* Experience managing complex and often confidential information, including responding to media and political inquiries
Partnership and Communities
* Experience working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of projects
* Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively in internal and external meetings
* Experience working on projects that require cross-organisational collaboration, and an understanding of the concept and aims of whole system working
* Strong influencing and negotiation skills, challenging within areas of responsibility and escalating appropriately where necessary
Qualifications
* Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience
* Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
#J-18808-Ljbffr