Overview
Making a difference for children and young people - lead strategic transformation across Cornwall's most vital services. Building on our innovative and integrated approach to commissioning built on strong partnerships across health, education, and social care. We’re developing a professional commissioning discipline that blends best practice, robust evidence, and co-design with communities, creating an environment where commissioners can thrive and make a measurable difference. As a Strategic Commissioning Lead, you’ll be accountable for the strategic commissioning of either a key area of need or a major service function within our life-course commissioning approach. You’ll define what good looks like, set the strategic direction, and lead delivery across the full commissioning cycle.
Main duties
Lead strategic transformation across Cornwall's most vital services.
Cornwall Council is nationally recognised for its innovative, integrated approach to commissioning built on strong partnerships across health, education, and social care. We’re developing a professional commissioning discipline that blends best practice, robust evidence, and co-design with communities, creating an environment where commissioners can thrive and make a measurable difference.
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
Details
Date posted: 04 September 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £55,273 to £66,910 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: F0021-700003319
Job locations: New County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3AY
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please note that although the closing date for this advert is 16th November 2025 applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. This means that the advert will be withdrawn should the vacancies become filled before the closing date*
As a Strategic Commissioning Lead, you’ll be accountable for the strategic commissioning of either a key area of need or a major service function, a significant subset of our life-course commissioning approach. You’ll define what good looks like, set the strategic direction, and lead delivery across the full commissioning cycle.
This is a delivery-focused leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives on complexity, collaboration, and long-term transformation. You’ll be part of a high-performing commissioning team, reporting to a Head of Commissioning and working alongside other Strategic Leads to shape the future of services in Cornwall for children and young people.
Your Impact
You’ll be the strategic ambassador for your commissioning area, making a compelling case for change, drawing on national and international evidence, and leading large-scale transformation programmes that span service models, financial strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
In this role, you will:
* Lead the commissioning strategy for your area, aligned to Cornwall's life-course approach.
* Define strategic outcomes and success measures, grounded in evidence and codesigned with communities.
* Oversee complex transformation programmes that may span several years.
* Shape and sustain the marketplace, building positive relationships with providers to ensure capacity and quality.
* Lead contract and supplier relationship management, ensuring compliance and proactive market sustainability.
* Drive improvements in outcomes, value, and performance across the full commissioning cycle.
This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines strategic insight with operational rigour. You’ll bring:
* Senior-level commissioning experience in local government or the wider public sector.
* A track record in transformation, market shaping, and delivering large-scale change, with financial rigour, best value and quality outcomes.
* The ability to influence across systems, backed by evidence-led thinking and a focus on what matters most.
Multiple Roles Available
We are recruiting Strategic Commissioning Leads across several key areas. Please indicate areas of interest in your application:
* Early Years and Prevention
* Children with Disabilities
* Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Working Pattern
There are 3 FTE roles with an 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.
Why Join Us
This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic commissioning in a Council known for innovation, strong partnerships, and delivering real impact. You’ll join a team with the resources, support, and political commitment to deliver ambitious change.
Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees and offer flexible working options to support work/life balance while ensuring service needs are met.
Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name: Cornwall Council
Address: New County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3AY
Employer's website: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/
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